Album Summary: William Thomson's Orpheus Caledonius (1725) was a landmark publication; the first ever large-scale collection of "Scotch Songs" in print — 50 songs arranged with un-figured bass, most with lyrics from Allan Ramsay's Scots Songs and Tea-Table Miscellany, plus an appendix of melodic reductions. It was an instant hit and in 1733, expanded into 2 volumes with 100 songs. Indeed, Thomson's Orpheus set the standard format for Scots Song settings for the rest of the eighteenth century, including those of Robert Burns in The Scots Musical Museum. This ScotMus.com album is a faithful reprint of the song arrangements from the historic 1st edition of 1725.
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(2)
Her Arms white, round and smooth,
Breasts rising in their dawn, To Age it wou'd give Youth, To press them with his Hand, Thro' all my Spirits ran, An extacy of Bliss, When I such sweetness fawn'd, Wrapt in a balmy kiss. |
(3)
Without the help of Art,
Like Flowers that grace the wild, She did her Sweets impart, When e'er she spoke or smil'd, Her Looks they were so mild, Free from affected Pride, She me to Love beguil'd, I wish'd her for my Bride. |
(4)
O had I all the Wealth,
Hopton's high mountains fill, Insur'd long Life and Health, And pleasures at my will, I'de promise and fulfill, That none but bony she, The lass of Patie's Mill, Shou'd share the same wi' me. |