Lantern Slide with illustrated poem 'There Was A Lad' by Burns

Magic Lantern Slide with 'There Was A Lad' ('Rantin, Rovin Robin') poem

Introduction:

Robert Burns wrote this autobiographical song in 1787, possibly in celebration of his 28th birthday. 'Twas then a blast of Janwar win' Blew hansel in on Robin.'

Image Rights Holder:

Dumfries & Galloway Museums Service

Ref:

63

Project:

241:Robert Burns - People and Places

Material:

Glass

Dimensions:

Length: 82 mm, width: 82 mm

What:

Lantern Slide with illustrated poem 'There Was A Lad' by Burns

Subject:

Magic lantern slides such as this were used at 'pictorial concerts' where the words of songs were projected to encourage the audience to sing along. This is from a set of 72 such slides. Before the advent of the cinema, magic lantern shows were popular social gathering.

Who:

Robert Burns (1759-1796) (poem by)

J Lizars, Optician (Glasgow) (manufacturer)

When:

1880 - 1920 (production)

Where:

Dumfries Museum, Dumfries & Galloway

Background:

Magic lantern slides such as this were used at 'pictorial concerts' where the words of songs were projected to encourage the audience to sing along. This is from a set of 72 such slides. Before the advent of the cinema, magic lantern shows were popular social gathering.

Description:

This refers to the circumstances of his birth, during a mid winter storm, which blew down the chimney gable of his parents' cottage and forced his mother and the newly born Robert to seek shelter with neighbours.