Beschreibung:

BURNS, ROBERT, 1759-1796. Autograph manuscript (signed "The Author"), his "Song--Tune. Humours of glen," addressed at bottom by the poet "To Provost V. Whigham, this first copy of the song," n.p., n.d. [1795?]. 1 page, 4to, 240 x 197 mm. (9 3/8 x 7 3/4 in.), integral blank, paper weak at a few folds, tiny chip torn from lower edge of sheet. A fine manuscript of Scotland's national poet: "Their grove o' sweet myrtles foreign Lands reckon, Whilst bright beaming summers exalt their perfume; Far dearer to me yon lone glen o' green brecken [bracken], Wi' the burn stealing under the lang, yellow broom: Far dearer to me are thse humble broom bowers, Where blue-bells & gowans lurk, lowly, unseen; For there, lightly tripping amang the wild dlowers, A listening the linnet aft, wanders my Jean'. Tho' rich is the breeze in their gay, sunny vallies [sic], And cauld Caledonia's blast on the wave: Their sweet-scented woodlands that skirt the proud palace, What are they? the haunt o' the tyrant & slave: The slave's spicy forests, & gold-bubbling fountains, The brave Caledonian views wi' disdain; He wanders as free as the winds of his mountains, Save Love's willing fetters, the chains of his Jean." Burns was fond of copying his verse as gifts for friends and admirers. Provost Whigham of Sanquhar held office from 1793 to 1800, consistent with the song's date of 1795 in other manuscripts. The present version is not in the standard indexes of Burns's or general literary manuscripts. The interesting reference to "Jean" is likely to be a generalized term for a woman, rather than a specific reference to Burns's famous innamorata, Jean Armour.