Volume IV, song 335, pages 344 and 345 - 'The Vain Pursuit' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Verse 1: 'Forbear gentle youth to pursue me in vain Thy anguish I pity but cannot remove, the ills (I) inflict I am doom'd to sustain Nor shalt thou alone be the victim of love My Sandy was beautiful happy and wise in ev'ry accomplishment destin'd to shine He had wit for all tastes he had charms for all eyes alas the dear youth was too charming for mine.' 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. William Stenhouse, the 'Museum's' editor in 1853, believed both the lyrics and melody of this piece to have been written by Thomas Blacklock. Blacklock, although originally from Dumfriesshire, spent most of his life in Edinburgh. Here he was renowned for his scholarship and was known as the 'blind bard', having been blinded by illness as a baby. He was a friend of Burns's and regularly contributed songs to the 'Museum'. More modern 'Museum' commentators, however, believe the tune displays more Highland characteristics and was at least influenced by a northern tune.

Collection

Scots Musical Museum

Inventory Number

4503531

Title

Volume IV, song 335, pages 344 and 345 - 'The Vain Pursuit' - 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

- 263 x 211 mm