Author: Anon

This poem appears in our anthology

Publication: Forward

Published: 6 January 1912

Place of publication: Glasgow, Scotland

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
John Baird (1790-1820)
Andrew Hardie (1793-1820)
William Wallace (1270-1305)
James Wilson (1760-1820)

A full copy of this poem is available.

Further information:
http://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/broadside.cfm/id/16733

Recording:

More information about this recording

Archive/Library: Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Classmark(s): Hard copy

'Dark Bonnymuir', an 1830s Reform song that reflects on the Radical War of 1820 and the executions of Baird, Hardie and Wilson.  The poem portrays Caledonia looking over her 'poor bleeding country' and demanding that it 'hail[s] reformation' and continue the tradition of the Radical War agitators.  The poem is published in Forward, in 1912, because Keir Hardie said he remembered hearing this 'old ballad sung about the days of Baird and Hardie' and Mr Lowden Macartney of the Poet's Box in 203 Overgate, Dundee, consequently sent the ballad to Forward.