Volume I, song 037 and 38, pages 38 and 39 - 'Mary's Dream' - Scanned from the 1853 edition of the 'Scots Musical Museum', James Johnson and Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1853)

Verse 1: 'The moon had climb'd the highest hill, which rises o'er the source of Dee, And from the eastern summit shed her silver light on tow'r and tree: When Mary laid her down to sleep, Her thoughts on Sandy far at sea; When soft and low a voice was heard, Say, Mary weep no more for me.' 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. There are two different melodies provided for this one song. According to Glen (1900), the first was composed by John Lowe of Galloway who was also responsible for the verses. Although in his notes Burns refers to the composer of the first as Alexander Lowe, it is likely that he is referring to the same Lowe as Glen. There appears to be some doubt, however, over the identity of the second composer.

Collection

Scots Musical Museum

Inventory Number

4503233

Title

Volume I, song 037 and 38, pages 38 and 39 - 'Mary's Dream' - 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

- 130 x 211 mm