GUEST

Thank you for your contribution. Though I know what you have said is substantially correct, I can't exactly use you as a reference, can I? (Personal Communication: anonymous GUEST from Mudcat).

As you probably know, the first two verses are in Sharpe's book and Alicia Anne Spottiswoode (subsequently Lady John Scott) wrote the music, made some alterations to the existing verses and added a third verse. It is the song's sudden appearance in Sharpe's book which was rather interesting when I began to investigate it.

Sharpe claimed, rather vaguely, that the song was supposed to have been written by a Mr Douglas of Fingland (presumably before 1710 when the Miss Ann Laurie in question was betrothed to another man). I have a quite well attested account somewhere (when I find it) that Lady Scott knew the song to have been written by Alan Cunningham.

I'll post the account when I find it and have time to type it. In the meantime, can anyone else point me to more of Mr Cunningham's work?

Cheers!
Ian