By William Murdoch.
Once more Gleniffer ; yet once more
Upon thy brow I stand,
And view thy Castle old and hoar,
Where Scotland's sons, in days of yore
Repell'd, in fields of death and gore,
The foes of Scotia's land ;
Once more thy bearded thistles wave,
Meet emblem of the glorious brave.
Once more I see thy ravine deep
Half hid among the trees ;
I see its crystal waters leap
From bank to bank, while down they sweep
Through channel—rocky, dusk, and steep,
Again I feel thy breeze ;
Once more the Norland hills I greet,
Where snows defy the summer's heat.
Now to thy broom and heather bell
The bees with rapture cling ;
Again from glen, wood, rock, and fell,
Thy countless feather'd minstrels swell
Their notes of love, till sky and dell
With heav'nly echoes ring ;
Again I hear thy streamlet's wail,
And fragrance from thy flowers inhale.
All these with raptured breast I hail ;
But where is now the Bard,
Whose strains, borne on the passing gale,
Were heard afar o'er hill and vale,
Sweet as the eastern nightingale;
Alas ! no more is heard
Those magic sounds that sooth'd the soul,
And waft his flame to Nature's goal.
Hail ! glorious and immortal shade !
Hail gentle Tannahill !
Thy dust is with thy fathers laid ;
But with'ring time can never fade
Those laurel wreaths thyself hast made,
Age makes them greener still ;
Great nature, changeless, holds her sway,
But all that's mortal fades away.
William Murdoch, shoemaker and poet, was born in Paisley in 1822.
A more detailed sketch of William Murdoch is given by Robert Brown in "Paisley Poets" Volume 1 published in Paisley by J. & J Cook, 1889. He writes:—
WILLIAM MURDOCH, whose father was a shoemaker to trade, was born at Paisley on 4th February, 1822. After attending school and receiving the ordinary education of reading, writing, and arithmetic, he learned his father's trade; and while doing so attended at the same time a night-school. Murdoch commenced business on his own account, at No. 28 Lady Lane, as a boot and shoemaker. When about 16 years of age, he began to cultivate the Muse. He married at 21 years of age. Murdoch was a well-informed man, very sociable and greatly respected. He was a member of the Literary and Convivial Association—known by the letters “L.C.A.”—whose weekly meetings were attended by local versifiers, debaters, humorists, and other literati, all belonging to the well-to-do working classes. William Murdoch's place of business became the rendezvous of many gifted men like himself, such as Hugh Macdonald—before noticed—author of “Rambles Round Glasgow;” Alexander Smith—who will afterwards be referred to—author of “A Life Drama;” Archibald M‘Kay, historian of Kilmarnock ; James Yool, poet, Paisley (Vol. I., p. 257) ; J. M‘Intyre, poet, Glasgow, author of “The Scottish Emigrant;” and other literary celebrities. When Murdoch lived in Paisley, many of his poetical pieces appeared in the local newspapers and periodicals, under the signature of “Hcodrum,” which was his own name reversed.
In 1854 he left Paisley to assist his brother, Mr. Gilbert Murdoch, who held the important position of Civil Engineer to the Public Commissioners, St. John's, New Brunswick. [I have before me an able and elaborate report of 60 pages by Mr. G. Murdoch, dated December, 1882, with plans, relating to the water supply of St. John's, New Brunswick.]
Before leaving Paisley, he was entertained at a musical meeting of his friends, in the Saracen's Head Inn, on the evening of 14th April in that year, receiving at the same time a handsome sum of money; and on the Wednesday evening following, he was again entertained at a farewell meeting by the members of the Literary and Convivial Association, to show the high appreciation in which he was held by them. Mr. James Yool occupied the chair. Mr. Murdoch, shortly after his arrival at St. John's, was appointed to take charge of the gas-work that supplied the lighthouse on Partridge Island, off the coast of New Brunswick. There he remained for three years; and, having much leisure time, he composed the “Bagpipes,” and many of his best poems and songs. In 1860 he returned to St. John's, and published a small volume of 152 pages, entitled “Poems and Songs.” He afterwards returned to his former situation, which he held till 1865, when he obtained a position in the editorial staff of the Evening News, New Brunswick. In 1872 he published a second edition of his “Poems and Songs,” of 232 pages, “Enlarged and Improved.” Mr. William Murdoch died 4th May, 1877. Many of his poetical pieces possessed very considerable merit.
—Grian Press.