Database of Poems
A Poem in Commemoration of Our Poet Tannahill's Birthday, June 3rd, 1887
1884: Representation of the People Act
Author: William Woodrow
Publication: A Poem in Commemoration of Our Poet Tannahill's Birthday
Published: 1887
Place of publication: Paisley, Scotland
Publication type: Broadside
Featured individuals:
Albert, Prince Consort (1819-1861)
Queen Victoria (1819-1901)
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Robert Tannahill (1774-1810)
No full copy of this poem is available.
Archive/Library: Paisley Central Library
Classmark(s): Paisley Pamphlets, 1887 (Volume 75)
This long poem (32 verses, each of 4 lines) commemorates Tannahill and also marks Queen Victoria's jubilee. The context of protest over land rights in the Highlands, however, looms large. This was an important element of the parliamentary contests immediately following the Third Franchise Act which returned Crofters' Party MPs in Highland constituencies. The poet notes: 'Old Scotland wants no English laws,/ To desolate the Highlands'.