ROBIN ADAIR.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 303, 13 April 1945, Page 7

ROBIN ADAIR.

Sir-Is it not time that the myth that the song "Robin Adair" is a "traditional Scottish" song was exploded? At a St. Andrew’s Day concert in Dunedin it was included in this programme and so described by the broadcaster. Later in an Auckland broadcast the same phrase was used and more recently we had it in Dorothy Bell’s studio récital described by the announcer as "a traditional Scottish Song." The facts are that both words and music are Irish. Robin Adair was a young doctor who came to London from Dublin. Being handsome and charming he soon became a favourite in society and formed an attachment with the daughter of a wealthy man, but the young lady’s parents disapproved of the match and took her travelling on the continent. She so pined for her lover, however, that her health was in danger and they were forced to return and consent to the marriage. She it was who wrote the words (which are really a parody of a very old Irish song "Aileen A. Roon’’). This song, "Aileen A. Roon," and tune, of which Handel said that he would rather have been the author than of all ‘his own music, were composed by an Irish chieftain, Carol O’Daly in the 16th Century. Carol was in love with Aileen A. Roon, daughter of "The Kavanagh," but her father in Carol’s absence forced her into an engagement with Talbot of Malahide. On the eve of her marriage Carol returned disguised as a harpist and sang his song at the door of the banquet hall as a signal. Aileen recognised him, and as he had horses in wait-

ing, they eloped that nicht.

ESSE

QUAM

VIDERI

(Maungaturoto).