Letter from Robert Burns to James Johnson, 4 May 1787
Dear Sir,
I have sent you a song never
before known, for your collection; the air
by McGibbon, but I know not the Author
of the words, as I got it from D.r Blacklock
Farewel, my dear Sir! I wished to have seen
you, but I have been dreadfully throng
as I march tomorrow.- Had my acquain-
tance w.t you been a little older, I would have
asked the favor of your correspondence;
as I have met w.t few people whose compa-
ny & conversation gave me so much pleasure
because I have met w.t few whose sentiments
are so congenial to my own. –
I have sent you a song never
before known, for your collection; the air
by McGibbon, but I know not the Author
of the words, as I got it from D.r Blacklock
Farewel, my dear Sir! I wished to have seen
you, but I have been dreadfully throng
as I march tomorrow.- Had my acquain-
tance w.t you been a little older, I would have
asked the favor of your correspondence;
as I have met w.t few people whose compa-
ny & conversation gave me so much pleasure
because I have met w.t few whose sentiments
are so congenial to my own. –
When Dunbar & you meet, tell him that
I left Edin.r with the idea of him hanging
somewhere about my heart.-
Keep the original of this song till we
meet again, whenever that may be –
Rob.t Burns
Lawn Market
Friday noon
I left Edin.r with the idea of him hanging
somewhere about my heart.-
Keep the original of this song till we
meet again, whenever that may be –
Rob.t Burns
Lawn Market
Friday noon

Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/14
- Alt. number
- 3.6041
- Date
- 4 May 1787
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Johnson, James
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to James Johnson, 4 May 1787