The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-11-07
For the Minnes0tidn:
The Origin of annie Laurie.s

For the Mianesotian:
The Origin of "Annie Laurie"
MEssRs. EDITORS The origin of this, one
Of the sweetest of the many beautiful Scotch
ballads, is, 1 believe, still disputed point
Some contend that it is a recent production,
while others are of the opinion that it had its
origin at period anterior to the age in
which flourished that ablest of all ballad wri-
ters-Scotia's bard Robert Burns; at
the bare mention of whose name, every true
Scotchman's heart pulsates with quicker
throb of pride and pleasure, whilst his mag
ination carries him back to the time when he
trod his native heather with his "Highland
lassie' by his side. Happening, few even
ings since, to fall in with several gentlemen
of considerable literary pretensions, all of
whom, in common with myself, were devoted
admirers Ofmost ofthe old English authors, the
conversation turned upon the origin of vari
Gus popular songs, this one among the num-
Der. Various opinions were expressed in re-
gard to it, none differicg, however, as to the
soul-absorbing melody which breathes
through every word and line of Annie Laurie.
This song had never come into general notice,
at least in this country, until after the termin-
alton of the Allied war in the Crimea. 1t
was under its stirring influence, as yot read
ers will remember, the Scotch Highlanders
stormed and carried one of the strongest
points belonging to the almost impregnable
Notifications at Sebastopol.
Since the evening alluded to, the writer of
this has been consulting some authorities of
the seventeenth century, which gives among
other things, the organization of this justly ia
vorite song, which 1 shall give to your read
ers, promising at the same time, that it may
and may not be true. At any rate, the ad.
mirers of the piece can give what credence
they think proper to the statement.
1t is said to have been composed, to cheer
him in the lonely night watches, of a SOL
dier's duty, by James Douglas, Laird of that
name, lineal descendant of the removed
Black Douglas, brave and gallant officer,
who espoused, with his clansmen, the cause
of the unfortunate 'Charles, the Pretender,"
whose hopes of wearing the British Crown
were dashed forever to the ground by the
battle of Culloden. The result of this battle
proved not only the downfall of Charles but
also of Douglas, Lochicl, and host of other
brave chieftains, who marched under his ban
ner to that bloody field. Douglas, at the
time of the breaking out of the rebellion,
was betrothed to Annie Laurie, young lady
of surprising beauty and accomplishments,
and who was at the time the belle of Edin-
burgh. She was a niece of Earl Gowrie, a
descendant of Robert Bruce of Annandale.
1t was to keep alive Within him, and to cheer
him amidst the privations Of defeat, and the
hardships of a nightly bivouac among the
highlands of Scotland, that Douglas compos-
ed and sung, whilst ''reposng OH his pallet Of
straw" this tribute to her whom he loved
better than all the world beside This song,
Douglas was repeatedly requested to sing by
bis brother officers, whilst sitting around the
camp fre,-a request which he was always
ready to grant. Of that gay and happy tenn
permanent which no disasters in the field
whilst assured of the love of Annie Laurie,
could daunt or dshearten, though he felt
keenly for the misfortunes of his beloved
Lord, his OVID sacrifices he treated as matters
Of but little moment. Troubles, if he had
any, were always concealed beneath cheer
full and smiling mood, and he went into bat
tie as gaily as if death held no carnival
there After the disastrous battle of Cullo-
den, Douglas escaped to France and join
ed the French forces under the command of
Marshal Turennc, and was on several occa-
ions singled out by the French Monarch, as
worthy his especial thanks for his daring in
.repj1ity in the field. Some two or three
years after joining the French army, Douglas
vas killed in seige as he was leading the
forlorn hope to the assault.
After his death, Annie Laurie bestowed
her hand, it is said, upon a nobleman of Scot
and, being induced thereby by an artful tale
hat Douglas had, previous to his being kill
I'd, espoused French lady of great beauty,
belonging to the Court of France. She was
afterwards undeceived, by wandering Scotch
soldier, who brought back to her lock of
Ter own hair, stained with the blood of the
brave Douglas that welled from his heart as
Re gave this last message and token to his
comrade, whilst STOPPING over the dying Off
Ger.
This is the story, as l found it related
There is, admit, much of the romantic in
Us incidents, but truth is oftentimes stranger
than fiction Yours. R.F.H.
AN affray occurred on Tuesday last on the
cars, near Chambersburgh, Pa, between Mr..