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O Kenmore's on and awa, Willie

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/02/174
Alt. number
3.6164.a
Date
20 February 1793
On display
No
Creator
Burns, Robert (Author)

Description

O Kenmore's on and awa, Willie. Part of folio.

Robert Burns had a romantic attachment to the Jacobite cause and the struggle of the Stuarts, who claimed the British throne. James VII was deposed in 1688 in favour of his sister Mary, married to William of Orange, and he was behind two unsuccessful uprisings in 1715 and 1745.

This song praises Viscount Gordon of Kenmure, who led the Jacobite troops in the South of Scotland in 1715. The white cockade or white rose was the symbol of the Jacobites. The song is sung to Willie, while Kenmure is far away fighting for the cause.

Firstly, success is wished on Kenmure and his band, then the bravery of Kenmure and his men is celebrated and their health drunk. The hope is that Kenmore would soon be home 'sounding victorie', but he was to be executed for his part in the rebellion. The song consists of 5 four line verses and a chorus, to be played 'slowish, but with spirit'.

The song is sung to Willie, while Kenmure is far away fighting for the cause. Firstly, success is wished on Kenmure and his band, then the bravery of Kenmure and his men is celebrated and their health drunk. The hope is that Kenmore would soon be home "sounding victorie", but he was to be executed for his part in the rebellion. The song consists of 5 four line verses and a chorus, to be played "slowish, but with spirit". This song praises Viscount Gordon of Kenmure, who led the Jacobite troops in the South of Scotland in 1715. The white cockade or white rose was the symbol of the Jacobites.

On Robert Burns' first tour of Galloway, he and his friend John Syme spent three days at Kenmure Castle in July/August of 1793.

Archive information


Hierarchy

  1. Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs ( )
  2. O Kenmore's on and awa, Willie