This is a cut and paste from the Diary of Dr J S Muir of Selkirk which is on the Heritage Hub "*** Roger Quinn appears to have been Roger Quin, poet, concertinist and flute player, born Dumfries, 1850, to a family of 12 children. Married to Elizabeth Lynch. Sometime railway clerk in Dumfries, later in Galashiels and Glasgow busking for his keep with a flute and concertina. He gave recitations of his own work and a leading light in the amateur dramatics in Galashiels. He lived later in a cottage at the Yair near Selkirk and when his health finally failed he was living in a charity old folks home in Dumfries. Living, aged 62, widowed clerk, in lodgings in South Port (1911 census), perhaps having fallen on hard times. Died Dumfries, 31 July 1925, aged 77, and noted as 'railway clerk' and widower of Elizabeth Lynch" [source: A Scottish Musical Miscellany from www.scotchmusic.com, Statutory BMDs and 1911 Census] And this is a photo with a link to Archie singing and to a Peebles woman reciting. http://scotchmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Photograph-1.6-Roger-Quin.pdf And a cut and paste of the lyrics found online - so sorry if any errors From the moorlands and the meadows to this city of the shadows Where I wander old and lonely comes a call I understand In clear soft notes enthralling it is calling ever calling 'Tis the spirit of the open from the dear old borderland. For this grim huge city daunts me it's wail of sorrow haunts me, A nameless figure tossed amidst the human serf that beats, Forever and forever in a frenzy of endeavor All along the cruel barriers of its never ending streets. But I'll leave it in the morning slip away without a warning Save a handclasp from the friend that knows the call that leads me on in the city's clang and clatter, one old man the less won't matter And no one here will say my name or care that I am gone. By Caddonfoot I'll linger it has charms to stay the singer And from the bridge a painter's dream of beauty there I'll see But I'll leave it all behind me when the purple evening shadows find me past the vines of Clovenfords to haunted Torwoodlee. Fair Dryburough and Melrose, touched by the wizard's spell arose And Bemerside and Leaderfoot Elwyn's fairy dene With the Tweed serenely gliding, clearly seen and shyly hiding where Eildons raise their triple crest to sentinel the scene. But alas the dream is over I awake now to discover The city's rush the bustling crowds and the din on every hand But my ears a-softly falling I can hear the curlews calling And I know that soon I'll see them in the dear old borderland. Songs list of album: Off the Map (1986)
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