William Thom in Aberdeen - early 19th Century
from Rhymes and Recollections of a Hand-Loom Weaver, 2nd edition, pages 15-18:
[Thom reflects on the solace of song for poverty-stricken handLoom weavers, and on writing song lyrics]
Song was the dew drops that gathered during the long dark night of despondency, and were sure to glitter in the very first blink of sun […] We had nothing to give but a kind look and a song […] Thinking that the better features of humanity could not be utterly defaced where song and melody were permitted to exist, and that where they were not all crushed, Hope and Mercy might yet bless the spot, some waxed bold, and for a time took… more >>
William Thom, Rhymes and Recollections of a Hand-Loom Weaver, 2nd edition (London, 1845), p. 15-18. https://led.kmi.open.ac.uk/entity/lexp/1524244153922 accessed: 10 December, 2024
Listeners
Listening to
hide composers'Lass, gin you lo'e me, tell me noe' | performed by Scottish handloom weavers |
Experience Information
Date/Time | early 19th Century |
Medium | live |
Listening Environment | in the company of others, indoors, in public |
Notes
Thom’s air, “Lass, gin you lo’e me, tell me noe” was published in the Aberdeen Journal around 1826, when economic depression severely affected the handloom weaving industry in Scotland. Many of his poems / lyrics are collected in the 'Rhymes' section of the memoir, from p. 53.