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Can you love me thus, my Betty, verses 2 and 4 of The Minstrel at Lincluden

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/02/98
Alt. number
3.6256
On display
No
Creator
Burns, Robert (Author)
Recipient
Thomson, George

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Description

Can you love me thus, my Betty'; Verses 2 and 4 of 'The Minstrel at Lincluden' an alternative version of "Can you love me thus, my Betty. "

This is the alternative version of the poem Item 3.653. Katy being substituted by Betty in this case. 3 four-line verses. Docketed by Dr Currie. On the reverse of Item ref 353.01 are two verses (2nd & 4th) of the song which begins "As I stood by yon roofless tower", a reference to Lincluden Abbey on the banks of the Nith. Docketed by Dr Currie with an endorsement by W. Wallace Currie.

This song was written in 1794 and sent to George Thomson for consideration for inclusion in A Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs for the Voice. It is set to the English tune Roy's wife.

It is widely believed that this song was intended for Maria Riddell or Elizabeth Riddell. However, very little evidence exists to substantiate these claims.

On the reverse of the manuscript are two verses (the 2nd & 4th) of the song As I stood by yon roofless tower. Burns wrote the words and set the song to the tune Cumnock Psalms, eventually sending it to Thomson in 1794. The 'roofless tower' mentioned refers to Lincluden Abbey, found in north of Dumfries in Maxwelltown. The manuscript is docketed by Dr Currie with an endorsement by W. Wallace Currie.

Archive information


Hierarchy

  1. Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs ( )
  2. Can you love me thus, my Betty, verses 2 and 4 of The Minstrel at Lincluden