Volume I Part 5 (1/2)

A SONG ON THE TIMES.

TUNE--_”Broom of the Cowdenknows.”_

I.

When I began the world first, It was not as 'tis now; For all was plain and simple then, And friends were kind and true: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times!

The times that I now see; I think the world 's all gone wrong, From what it used to be.

II.

There were not then high capering heads, p.r.i.c.k'd up from ear to ear; And cloaks and caps were rarities, For gentle folks to wear: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c.

III.

There 's not an upstart mushroom now, But what sets up for taste; And not a la.s.s in all the land, But must be lady-dress'd: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c.

IV.

Our young men married then for love, So did our la.s.ses too; And children loved their parents dear, As children ought to do: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c.

V.

For oh, the times are sadly changed-- A heavy change indeed!

For truth and friends.h.i.+p are no more, And honesty is fled: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c.

VI.

There 's nothing now prevails but pride, Among both high and low; And strife, and greed, and vanity, Is all that 's minded now: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times! &c.

VII.

When I look through the world wide, How times and fas.h.i.+ons go, It draws the tears from both my eyes, And fills my heart with woe: Oh, the times, the weary, weary times!

The times that I now see; I wish the world were at an end, For it will not mend for me!

WILLIAM CAMERON.

William Cameron, minister of Kirknewton, in the county of Edinburgh, was educated in Marischal College, Aberdeen, where he was a pupil of Dr Beattie, ”who ever after entertained for him much esteem.” A letter, addressed to him by this eminent professor, in 1774, has been published by Sir William Forbes;[3] and his name is introduced at the beginning of Dr Beattie's ”Letter to the Rev. Hugh Blair, D.D., on the Improvement of Psalmody in Scotland. 1778, 8vo:”--”The message you lately sent me, by my friend Mr Cameron, has determined me to give you my thoughts at some length upon the subject of it.”