Scotlandsmusic

The 'Jeany' of this poem was Jeany Cruikshank, the 12 year old daughter of Burns's friend William Cruikshank, in whose house Burns lodged from September 1787 to February 1788. Jeany played the harpsichord well, and Burns got her to play over on that instrument the melodies for which he was writing words. In return, he wrote for her this beautiful poem. The tune given here is a traditional melody 'The Shepherd's Wife'.