Author: Anon

Publication: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine

Publisher: William Blackwood

Published: September 1832

Place of publication: Edinburgh, Scotland

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
James Abercromby (1776-1858)
James Aytoun (1797-1881)
Francis Jeffrey (1773-1850)
John Archibald Murray (1778-1859)

A full copy of this poem is available.

Further information:
https://archive.org/search.php?query=blackwood%27s%20magazine%201832

This poem has a set tune, and its title is:
Carle an the King come.

Archive/Library: National Library of Scotland
Classmark(s): The Blackwood's Magazine: reel no. 30.
Pages(s): 405-406

The song appears as part of an instalment of the 'Noctes Ambrosianae' series, in which the magazine's fictional editor, Christopher North, his secretary, Mullion, and a couple of other friends discuss the upcoming election and the accompanying explosion of print and general activity. 'Well, all this sort of thing is quite new here away. Streets placarded—Ballads a-bellowing—pothouses opened— hustings, harangues—banners and processions, and "a' the lave o't." Mullion sings this song, inviting the others to join in the chorus. It is a toast to the health of James Aytoun, the radical candidate for the Edinburgh seats in 1832 and 1834. The poem expresses the speaker's disengagement with the Whig party, stating that it is now clear how different 'what they've professed' is from 'what they mean', and asks 'brave Reformers stainch an' true' to vote for Aytoun. The poem was previously printed as a broadside, 'Here's a Health to Aytoun! A New Song'.