with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

159
THE JEWEL.
This tune is claimed hy 'Nathaniel Gow.— It is
notoriously taken from The Muckin o* Geordie's
Byre.
—
It is also to befound, long prior to Nathaniel
Gozifs (zra, in Aird's Selection of Airs and Marches,
the first edition, under the name of The Highway
to Edinburgh.*
O meikle thinks my luve o* my beauty,
And meikle thinks my luve o' my kin
But little thinks my luve, I ken brawlie,
My Tocher's the jewel has charms for him.
It's a' for the apple he'll nourish the tree,
It's a' for the hinney he'll cherish the bee ;
My laddie's sae meikle in love wi' the siller.
He canna hae luve to spare for me.
* This statement^ is incorrect. On referring to 'Niel Gow and
Son's 2d book, page 18, it will be seen that it is unclaimed by
Nathaniel Gow, or any of his family. Mr. Gow found the tune
in " Oswald's Caledonian Pocket Companion," book 3d, page 28,
as a quick jig; it struck him that it would be pretty if slow j and
being without a name, he called it Lord Elcho's Favourite,
Oswald's book was published as long prior to Aird's aera, as
Aii'd's was to that of Gow.
—
Ed,
;