with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

42
WHEN I UPON THY BOSOM LEAN.
Tune—Scots Recluse.
This song was the work of a tery worthy ^ face-
tious old fellow, John Lapraik, late of Dalfram,
near Muirkirk; zvhich little property he was obliged
to sell in consequence of some connexion as security
for some persons concerned in that villainous bubble,
THE AYR BANK. He has often told me that he
composed this song one day zvhen his wfe had been
fretting o'er their misfortunes.*
When I upon thy bosom lean,
And fondly clasp thee a' my am,
I glory in the sacred ties
That made us ane, wha ance were tWain
* This is the very song " that some kind husband had addrest to
some sweet wife," alluded to with such exquisite delicacy in
Burns's Epistle to J. Lapraik.
'* There was ae sang amang the rest,
Aboon them a' it pleas'd me best,
That some kind husband had addrest
To some sweet wife
It thriU'd the heart-stiings thro' the breast,
A' to the life."