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STORIES OF
breathed and acted a part in the great drama of those days. Among these we may particularize William Douglas of Finland and Annie Laurie. This lady was one of the four daughters of Sir Robert Laurie, the first baronet of Maxwelton, and it was to her that Douglas inscribed those well-known verses and that little air which now bear her name and are so wonderfully plaintive and chaste for the time; but it is painful to record that, notwithstanding all the ardour and devotion of her lover, the fair Annie was wedded as described in the romance."
As a matter of fact, James Grant does not describe the marriage of Annie Laurie in his story, as he states; William Douglas of Finland is supposed to compose and sing the song when in Flanders. He is killed in battle by the side of his friend Walter Fenton. A ball pierces his breast and he expires holding a lock of Annie's bright brown hair in his hand and murmuring her name.
As already mentioned the lyric came from the pen of William Douglas of Finland. Annie Laurie was the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie by his second wife, Jean, who was a daughter of Riddel of Minto. u As Sir Robert was created a baronet in the year 1685, it is probable/' says Robert Chambers, " that the verses were com-112 |
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