HERE'S A HEALTH TO MY TRUE LOVE, &C. THIS Song is Dr. Blacklock's.-He told me that tradition gives the air to our James IV. of Scotland. BIDE YE YET. THERE is a beautiful song to this tune, begin ning, Alas, my son, you little know— which is the composition of a Miss Jenny Graham of Dumfries.* Alas! my son, you little know The sorrows that from wedlock flow: Farewel to every day of ease, When you have gotten a wife to please, * Miss Graham was a maiden lady; she lived to a pretty old age, and at length died a martyr to an asthma of many years continuance, the pain of which she alleviated by exercising her cheerful disposition in composing humourous Scotish songs.-Ed. Sae bide you yet, and bide you yet, If a wayward wife obtain you yet. Your experience is but small, Sometimes the rock, sometimes the reel, Sae bide you yet, &c. When I like you was young and free, That men alone were born to reign. * This is an ancient proverbial expression. It is used by Sir John Harrington in his translation of the Orlando Furioso (b. vi. s. 72.) where, speaking of some very young damsels, he says, The blacke oxe has not yet trod on their toe. It is used in Yorkshire to this day, and is generally applied to such indiscreet unmarried young men as have not yet sown their wild oats. Great Hercules and Sampson too, Stout gates of brass, and well-built walls, BIDE YE YET. Gin I had a wee house and a canty wee fire, Ye little ken what may betide ye yet, When I gang afield, and come home at e'en, And if there happen ever to be A diff'rence atween my wee wifie and me, HEY TUTTI TAITI.* I HAVE met the tradition universally over Scotland, and particularly about Stirling, in the neigh To this melody Burns adapted his celebrated address of Bruce at Bannockburn. His feelings on visiting the scene of that memorable battle are described in his unpublished journal in the Editor's possession, in language almost as sublime and energetic as that of his heart-rousing Poem, and they are both here inserted, that the reader may judge between the embryo and the full-grown offspring of his genius. "Bannockburn. Here no Scot can pass uninterested. I fancy to myself that I see my gallant, heroic countrymen coming o'er the hill, and down upon the plunderers of their country, the murderers of their fathers; noble revenge and just hate glowing in every vein, striding more and more eagerly as they approach the oppressive, insulting, blood-thirsty foe! I see them meet, in gloriously triumphant congratulation, on the victorious field, exulting in their heroic royal Leader, and rescued liberty and independence!" ROBERT bourhood of the scene, that this air was Robert Bruce's march at the battle of Bannockhurn. ROBERT BRUCE'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY. Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Now's the day, and now's the hour; See approach proud Edward's power- Wha will be a traitor knave? Wha sae base as be a slave? Traitor! coward! turn and flee! Wha for Scotland's king and law By oppression's woes and pains! But they shall be-shall be free! Lay the proud usurpers low! Liberty's in every blow! Forward! let us do, or die! |