Volume II, song 173, page 181 - 'Raving winds around her...
Volume II, song 173, page 181 - 'Raving winds around her blowing' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)
Verse 1 (to the tune of 'McGrigour of Roro's Lament'): 'Raving winds around her blowing, Yellow leaves the woodland strowing, By a river hoarsely roaring, Isabella stray'd deploring. Farewell, hours that late did measure Sun shine days of joy and pleasure; Hail, thou gloomy night of sorrow, Cheerless night that knows no morrow.'
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 is attributed to Robert Burns in the 'Museum', and he left a comment on this poem in his personal notes. The verses were apparently inspired by Isabella McLeod of Raza and her sad story. Her sister had passed away, and her sister's husband the Earl of Loudon shot himself due to financial problems and embarrassments. The melody was said at the time to be old, but the only real information available on it was that it was of Highland origin.
Volume II, song 173, page 181 - 'Raving winds around her blowing' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)