Volume II, song 172, page 180 - 'Katy's Answer' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Verses 1 and 2: 'My mither's ay glowran o'er me, Tho' she did the same before me, I canna get leave To look to my love, Or else she'll be like to devour me. Right fain wad I tak ye'r offer, Sweet Sir, but I'll tine my tocher; Then, Sandy, ye'll fret, And wyte ye'er poor Kate, When e'er ye keek in your toom coffer.' The Scots word 'tine' in this instance means to lose or forfeit and 'tocher' is dowry. 'Wyte' is to blame, 'toom' is empty and 'coffer' is wealth or legacy. The 'Scots Musical Museum' is the most important of the numerous eighteenth- and nineteenth-century collections of Scottish song. When the engraver James Johnson started work on the second volume of his collection in 1787, he enlisted Robert Burns as contributor and editor. Burns enthusiastically collected songs from various sources, often expanding or revising them, whilst including much of his own work. The resulting combination of innovation and antiquarianism gives the work a feel of living tradition. This song was written by the poet Allan Ramsay (1686-1758), and printed by him in 1720 along with the song 'The young Laird and Edinburgh Katy'. This song is Katy's reply to the young Laird. Both are featured side by side in the 'Museum' (song 171), although they are sung to different melodies. This particular tune is generally known by the first line of the song. Its origin is under question, with Glen (1900) arguing that 'if of English origin, it has been much improved on Scottish soil'.

Collection

Scots Musical Museum

Inventory Number

4503368

Title

Volume II, song 172, page 180 - 'Katy's Answer' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Object Type

PhysicalObject

Measurements

- 130 x 211 mm