Volume VI, song 570, page 589 - 'Jockey's ta'en the parting kiss' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Verse 1: 'Jockey's ta'en the parting kiss O'er the mountains he is gane; And with him is a' my bliss Nought but griefs with me remain. Spare my love ye winds that blaw, Plashy sleets and beating rain Spare my love thou feath'ry snaw Drifting o'er the frozen plain.' 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 Burns in 1795, so was probably intended for inclusion in the 'Museum' from its inception. The melody of the piece is called 'Bonny Lassie tak a man'. This tune was first aired in the Scots opera, 'Highland Fair', performed in 1731. The two melodies are slightly different, although Johnson's changes are now believed to have been for the worse.

Collection

Scots Musical Museum

Inventory Number

4503765

Title

Volume VI, song 570, page 589 - 'Jockey's ta'en the parting kiss' - 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