Volume Iv Part 31 (1/2)

ALEXANDER CARLILE.

Alexander Carlile was born at Paisley in the year 1788. His progenitors are said to have been remarkable for their acquaintance with the arts, and relish for elegant literature. His eldest brother, the late Dr Carlile of Dublin attained much eminence as a profound thinker and an accomplished theologian. Having received a liberal education, first at the grammar-school of Paisley, and afterwards in the University of Glasgow, the subject of this sketch settled as a manufacturer in his native town. Apart from the avocations of business, much of his time has been devoted to the concerns of literature; he has contributed to the more esteemed periodicals, and composed verses for several works on the national minstrelsy. At an early period he composed the spirited and popular song, beginning ”Oh, wha's at the window, wha, wha?” which has since obtained a place in all the collections. His only separate publication, a duodecimo volume of ”Poems,” appeared in 1855, and has been favourably received. Mr Carlile is much devoted to the interests of his native town, and has sedulously endeavoured to promote the moral and social welfare of his fellow-townsmen. His un.o.btrusive worth and elegant accomplishments have endeared him to a wide circle of friends. His latter poetical compositions have been largely pervaded by religious sentiment.

WHA'S AT THE WINDOW?[30]

Oh, wha's at the window, wha, wha?

Oh, wha's at the window, wha, wha?

Wha but blithe Jamie Glen, He 's come sax miles and ten, To tak' bonnie Jeannie awa, awa, To tak' bonnie Jeannie awa.

He has plighted his troth, and a', and a', Leal love to gi'e, and a', and a', And sae has she dune, By a' that 's abune, For he lo'es her, she lo'es him, 'bune a', 'bune a', He lo'es her, she lo'es him, 'bune a'.

Bridal-maidens are braw, braw, Bridal-maidens are braw, braw, But the bride's modest e'e, And warm cheek are to me 'Bune pearlins, and brooches, and a', and a', 'Bune pearlins, and brooches, and a'.

It 's mirth on the green, in the ha', the ha', It 's mirth on the green, in the ha', the ha'; There 's quaffing and laughing, There 's dancing and daffing, And the bride's father 's blithest of a', of a', The bride's father 's blithest of a'.

It 's no that she 's Jamie's ava, ava, It 's no that she 's Jamie's ava, ava, That my heart is sae eerie When a' the lave 's cheerie, But it 's just that she 'll aye be awa, awa, It 's just that she 'll aye be awa.

FOOTNOTES:

[30] The t.i.tle of this song seems to have been suggested by that of a ballad recovered by Cromek, and published in his ”Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song,” p. 219. The first line of the old ballad runs thus: ”Oh, who is this under my window.”--ED.

MY BROTHERS ARE THE STATELY TREES.

My brothers are the stately trees That in the forests grow; The simple flowers my sisters are, That on the green bank blow.

With them, with them, I am a child Whose heart with mirth is dancing wild.

The daisy, with its tear of joy, Gay greets me as I stray; How sweet a voice of welcome comes From every trembling spray!

How light, how bright, the golden-wing'd hours I spend among those songs and flowers!

I love the Spirit of the Wind, His varied tones I know; His voice of soothing majesty, Of love and sobbing woe; Whate'er his varied theme may be, With his my spirit mingles free.

I love to tread the gra.s.s-green path, Far up the winding stream; For there in nature's loneliness, The day is one bright dream.

And still the pilgrim waters tell Of wanderings wild by wood and dell.

Or up the mountain's brow I toil Beneath a wid'ning sky, Seas, forests, lakes, and rivers wide, Crowding the wondering eye.

Then, then, my soul on eagle's wings, To cloudless regions upwards springs!

The stars--the stars! I know each one, With all its soul of love, They beckon me to come and live In their tearless homes above; And then I spurn earth's songs and flowers, And pant to breathe in heaven's own bowers.