BOOK FRIENDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 57, 7 March 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOOK FRIENDS

Everyone, I think, must know the tune at least of "Annie Laurie," the popular Scottish song that nowadays appears in nearly all anthologies. Here is an interesting story about how it was written. The original version of "Annie Laurie" was written by a Galloway man, William Douglas, a soldier of fortune, who, in many encounters on the Continent, proved his skill as an expert swordsman. The heroine of the song was Anna Laurie, the daughter of Robert Laurie, of Maxwelton, in Dumfriesshire; not Maxwelltown, in the Stewartry, as many seem to suppose. The two firet met at a ball in Edinburgh, and were at once drawn to each other. Politics in those days were of supreme importance, aud as Douglas was a Jacobite he found no favour with Robert Laurie. The fearful father carried his daughter back to their home in Nithsdale, hoping thus to end what he considered a foolish attachment. Douglas followed them, and the two lovers met on Maxwelton banks, pledged their trotli to each other, and then Douglas wrote the famous song. Soon afterwards Douglas became so deeply involved in the Jacobite movement that he had to leave the country. The song, even in its original form, became a great favourite throughout the south-west of Scotland. It is, however, to Alicia Anne Spottiswoode, afterwards Lady John Scott, that we are indebted for the modern' words and music that have made the verses world renowned. A hundred years ago she touched up the first verse, entirely recast the second, and added a third of her own. She wedded the words to a tune she had composed to an old ballad, "Kemipie Kaye," and had the song printed and sold for the benefit of the dependents of soldiers in the Crimean War. It at once became popular, and has over eince retained that popularity. It was a great favourite with the soldiers in the Great War, not only with the Scots regiments, but also with the English and Empire troops. Here is the first verso as Douglas wrote it at Maxwelton: — Maxwelton banks are bonnie, Whare early fa's the dew; Whare me and Annie Laurie Made up the promise true. Made up the promise true, And never forget will I, And for bonnie Annie Laurie, I'd lay down my head and die.