Volume VI, song 561, page 580 - 'An' I'll awa to bonny Tweed-side' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Verse 1: 'An' I'll awa to bonny Tweed-side And see my dearie, come through, And he shall be mine, Gif fae he in cline for I hate to lead apes below. While young an' fair I'll make it my care to secure mysell in a jo; I'm no sic a fool to let my blood cool an' syne to lead apes below.' 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 first published by Ramsay in his 'Tea-Table Miscellany' (1724-7) and he suggested that it should be sung to the tune of 'We'll a to Kelso go'. It was published by Oswald in his 'Caledonian Pocket Companion' at roughly the same time, but he suggested that the tune 'The Good man of Ballangigh' should be used. This melody was based on an earlier tune entitled 'a new Scotch Jig', which was published by Playford in his 'Dancing Master' (1696).

Collection

Scots Musical Museum

Inventory Number

4503756

Title

Volume VI, song 561, page 580 - 'An' I'll awa to bonny Tweed-side' - 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

- 129 x 211 mm