-
Letter from Robert Burns to Jean McMurdo, contains 'A Ballad'
Jean McMurdo was the eldest daughter of Burns's friend John McMurdo of Drumlanrig. Burns had arranged Stephen Clarke, an Edinburgh musician, to give piano lessons to the children. Robert and his wife Jean had been present at one of these lessons and Jean sang an old song to the group. Clarke then transcribed the song for the girls to play, and Robert composed the accompanying lyrics. The song became known as ‘Bonie Jean’, and was later sent to George Thomson for inclusion in A Select Collection…