No. 100. Behold, my love, how green the groves.
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Source: «traditionalmusic.co.uk»
No. 100. Behold, my love, how green the groves. Currie, Works, 1800, iv. 188. Thomson's Scotish Airs, 18iS, 201. The MS. is in the Thomson collection. The original version began 'My Chloris, mark how green the groves,' but was altered to that in our text. The first copy was transmitted to Thomson in November, 1794, in a letter stating that' Chloris suggested the verses. Burns had previously disapproved of a song chosen by Thomson for the tune My lodging is on the cold ground, and Behold my love was written for it. The popular melody of the name—of either English or Irish origin— was first printed in Vocal Music, London, 177?, 18, and very soon afterwards became popular in Scotland. It ejected an earlier tune which had held its ground for more than a century. The original (that copied in our text) composed by Matthew Lock, is the finer melody of the two. Nell Gwyn, in the play of All Mistaken, 1672, sang it to a parody satirizing Moll Davis her rival, who was short and fat, thus:—
- ' My lodging is on the cold boards
- And wonderful hard is my fare;
- But that which troubles me most is
- The fatness of my dear,' &c.
The tune known by the titles On the cold ground, or I prithee love, turn to me, is in the Dancing Master, 1665; Musick's Delight, 1666; and Apollo's Banquet, 1669.
Source: «traditionalmusic.co.uk»
