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[ following song, which sent to Thomson's collection, was merely an improvement and extension of a song which he had previously contributed to Johnson's Museum, called "The Gardener wi' his paidle." "Dainty Davie," says Allan Cunningham, "is the name of an old merry sang from which Burns has borrowed nothing save the title and the measure. It relates the adventure of David Williamson, a preacher of the days of the covenant: he was pursued by Dalzell's dragoons, and seeking a refuge in the house of Cherrytrees, the devout lady put the man of God into a bed beside her daughter, to hide him from the men of Belial. The return which the reverend gentleman made for this is set forth very graphically in the old verses. The young lady sings—

"The tune of Dainty Davie," says Mr. Stenhouse, "is inserted in Playford's Dancing Master, first published in 1657. It is clear, therefore, that there was a song under this title, long before the well-known story about the Rev. David Williamson and the daughter of the laird of Cherrytrees."]

[ reader may be curious to see the difference between "Dainty Davy," and "The Gardener wi' his paidle." The latter contributed to Johnson's Museum. It is adapted to an old tune, called "The Gardener's March."]

[ the first vol. of Ramsay's Tea-Table Miscellany, where it appears with the mark Q, signifying that it is an old song with additions. Regarding this song. Lord Woodhouselee says: "I have been informed, on good authority, that the words, as printed in Ramsay's collection, were written by the Hon., lord president of the Court of Session." It is given in Ramsay to the tune of "Dainty Davie."]

fops, in saft Italian verse,

Ilk fair ane's een and breist rehearse

While sangs abound, and wit is scarce,

These lines I have indited.