Volume V, song 451, pages 462 and 463 - 'Hallow Fair.-There's fouth of braw Jockies, &c.' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Verse 1: 'There's fouth of braw Jockies and Jennys Comes well-busked into the fair, With ribbons on their cocker-nonnies, And fouth o' fine flour on their hair Oh Maggie she was sae weel busked, That Willie was ty'd to his bride; The pounie was ne'er better whisked Wi' cudgel that hang frae his side.' 'Fouth' is the Scots word for abundance whilst 'busked' means decked out our adorned. 'Tyed' is one of the Scots words for married. 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. The tune to this song, 'Hallows Fair', was first published in James Oswald's 'Caledonian Pocket Companion' (1759). This rather saucy and humorous song is believed to have been written by Robert Ferguson (1750-74). Ferguson, born in Edinburgh to Aberdeenshire parents, enjoyed a distinguished education (mainly on bursaries) at Edinburgh High School, Dundee Grammar School and the University of St Andrews. This education was never reaped financial rewards, however, as upon his father's unexpected death, he took up work as a copy clerk. He also died unexpectedly early in his mid-twenties in an Edinburgh asylum. His use flowing and pointed use of Scots colloquialisms and dialect influenced Burns hugely.

Collection

Scots Musical Museum

Inventory Number

4503645

Title

Volume V, song 451, pages 462 and 463 - 'Hallow Fair.-There's fouth of braw Jockies, &c.' - 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

- 258 x 211 mm