[XLI]
From the Songs of Experience (1794).
[XLII]
Scots Musical Museum, 1788. Adapted from, or rather suggested by, the Farewell, which Macpherson, a cateran ‘of great personal strength and musical accomplishment,’ is said to have played and sung at the gallows foot; thereafter breaking his violin across his knee and submitting his neck to the hangman.
spring a melody in quick time sturt molestation
[XLIII]
Museum, 1796. Burns told Thomson and Mrs. Dunlop that this noble and most moving song was old; but nobody believed him then, and nobody believes him now.
pint-stoup pint-mug braes hill-sides gowans daisies paidl't paddled burn brook fiere friend, companion guid-willie well-meant, full of good-will waught draught
[XLIV]
The first four lines are old. The rest were written apparently in 1788, when the poet sent this song and Auld Lang Syne to Mrs. Dunlop. It appeared in the Museum, 1790.