I always wondered if this was a message from Lizzie, considering that it was so important to her and that she had it carved into a mantle at Maplecroft:
"The Green Leaf of Loyalty's beginning to fall
The Bonnie white Rose it is withering an' all
But I'll water it with the Blood of usurping tyranny
And green it will gow in my ain countree"
The "Green leaf of Loyalty's" -- could be her father betraying her by making out a will that left most of his money to Abby: Or lizzie's Loyalty to her Father failing..........
"The Bonnie White rose is withering" -- Could be Lizzie;
but she brings herself back, or reclaims herself by "watering" herself with Blood from the "Usurping Tyranny" -- which could be life under her father or the murders -- and afterwards Lizzie is free and starts to grow again..........?
And the Blood that fed her was that of Andrew and Abby.....
Just a wierd thought...........
StevenB
My Ain Contree
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StevenB
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Kat
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It does sound possible- but we're not sure who had the carvings done on the mantles.
However, in Rebello, we find that one mantle carving says:
At Hame In My Ain Countrie,
and the other says:
AND OLD-TIME FRIENDS & TWILIGHT PLAYS,
AND STARRY NIGHTS, AND SUNNY DAYS
COME TROOPING UP THE MISTY WAYS
WHEN MY FIRE BURNS LOW.
Rebello, 322+
"Note: The hymn, My Ain Countrie, is an old Scottish air. Perhaps the words reflect Lizzie's inner feelings and deepest thoughts she held throughout her life. Inscribed in one oak mantle at Maplecroft is 'At Hame In My Ain Countrie.' My Ain Countrie was an original poem by Mary Augusta Lee Demarest (1838-1888).
A similar poem, Home, Home, Home was written by the Scottish poet Allan Cunningham (1784-1842). The words 'my ain countrie' come from Mrs. Demarest's poem while Cunningham used 'my ain countree.' Both poets used the phrase for all verses but spelled 'countree' differently.
Mary August Demarest's Poem "My Ain Countrie"
(My Ain Countrie)
I am far from my home, and I'm weary after while,
for the longing for home bringing and my Father's welcome smile.
And I'll never be full content, until my eyes do see,
the golden gates of heaven and my ain countrie.
The earth is flecked with flowers tinted fresh and gay,
the birds sing brightly for my Father made them say.
But these sights and these sounds will as nothing be to me,
when I hear the angels singing in my ain countrie.
I have His good word of promise that some gladsome day, the King,
to His own royal palace His banished home will bring.
With eye and heart running over we shall see,
the King in His beauty in our ain countrie.
My sins have been many, and my sorrow has been sore,
but this they'll never vex me, nor be remembered more.
For the His blood has made me white and His hand shall dry my eye,
When He brings me home at last to my ain countrie.
He is faithful that has promised, and He'll surely come again,
He'll keep His trust with me, at what hour I do not know.
But He bids me still to wait, and ready yes to be,
to go at any moment to my ain countrie.
So I'm watching yes and singing of my home, as I wait,
for the sounding of His footsteps, this side the golden gate.
God gives His grace to everyone who listens now to me,
that we all may go in gladness to our ain countrie.
So little now, I know of yonder blessed, bonnie place,
I only know it's home, where we shall see His face.
It would surely be enough forever more to be,
in the glory of His presence, in our ain countrie.
Like a child to its mother, a little bird to its nest,
I would want to be going now, unto my Savior's breast.
For He gathers in His bosom, witless, worthless lambs like me,
and carries them Himself, to His ain countrie.
...........
Allan Cunningham's Poem 'Home, Home, Home'
(Hame, Hame, Hame)
Home, home, home, Oh home I would want to be
Oh home, home, home, to my ain countree!
When the flower is in the bud and the leaf is on the tree,
The larks shall sing me home in my own country;
Home, home, home fain wad I be -
Oh home, home, home, to my ain countree!
The green leaf of loyalty beginning now to fall,
The bonnie white rose it is withering away and all...
But I'll water it with the blood of usurping tyranny.
And green it will grow, in my ain countree
Oh, there's nothing now from ruin my country can save,
But the keys of kind heaven, to open the grave.
That all the noble martyrs who died for loyalty,
May rise again and fight for their ain countree.
The great now are gone, who attempted to save,
The new grass is springing on the top of their graves.
But the sun through the dark blinks bright in my eye,
I'll shine on you yet in your ain countree
Home, home, home, Oh home I would want I be -
Oh home, home, home, to my ain countree!
Allan Cunningham (1784-1842)"
However, in Rebello, we find that one mantle carving says:
At Hame In My Ain Countrie,
and the other says:
AND OLD-TIME FRIENDS & TWILIGHT PLAYS,
AND STARRY NIGHTS, AND SUNNY DAYS
COME TROOPING UP THE MISTY WAYS
WHEN MY FIRE BURNS LOW.
Rebello, 322+
"Note: The hymn, My Ain Countrie, is an old Scottish air. Perhaps the words reflect Lizzie's inner feelings and deepest thoughts she held throughout her life. Inscribed in one oak mantle at Maplecroft is 'At Hame In My Ain Countrie.' My Ain Countrie was an original poem by Mary Augusta Lee Demarest (1838-1888).
A similar poem, Home, Home, Home was written by the Scottish poet Allan Cunningham (1784-1842). The words 'my ain countrie' come from Mrs. Demarest's poem while Cunningham used 'my ain countree.' Both poets used the phrase for all verses but spelled 'countree' differently.
Mary August Demarest's Poem "My Ain Countrie"
(My Ain Countrie)
I am far from my home, and I'm weary after while,
for the longing for home bringing and my Father's welcome smile.
And I'll never be full content, until my eyes do see,
the golden gates of heaven and my ain countrie.
The earth is flecked with flowers tinted fresh and gay,
the birds sing brightly for my Father made them say.
But these sights and these sounds will as nothing be to me,
when I hear the angels singing in my ain countrie.
I have His good word of promise that some gladsome day, the King,
to His own royal palace His banished home will bring.
With eye and heart running over we shall see,
the King in His beauty in our ain countrie.
My sins have been many, and my sorrow has been sore,
but this they'll never vex me, nor be remembered more.
For the His blood has made me white and His hand shall dry my eye,
When He brings me home at last to my ain countrie.
He is faithful that has promised, and He'll surely come again,
He'll keep His trust with me, at what hour I do not know.
But He bids me still to wait, and ready yes to be,
to go at any moment to my ain countrie.
So I'm watching yes and singing of my home, as I wait,
for the sounding of His footsteps, this side the golden gate.
God gives His grace to everyone who listens now to me,
that we all may go in gladness to our ain countrie.
So little now, I know of yonder blessed, bonnie place,
I only know it's home, where we shall see His face.
It would surely be enough forever more to be,
in the glory of His presence, in our ain countrie.
Like a child to its mother, a little bird to its nest,
I would want to be going now, unto my Savior's breast.
For He gathers in His bosom, witless, worthless lambs like me,
and carries them Himself, to His ain countrie.
...........
Allan Cunningham's Poem 'Home, Home, Home'
(Hame, Hame, Hame)
Home, home, home, Oh home I would want to be
Oh home, home, home, to my ain countree!
When the flower is in the bud and the leaf is on the tree,
The larks shall sing me home in my own country;
Home, home, home fain wad I be -
Oh home, home, home, to my ain countree!
The green leaf of loyalty beginning now to fall,
The bonnie white rose it is withering away and all...
But I'll water it with the blood of usurping tyranny.
And green it will grow, in my ain countree
Oh, there's nothing now from ruin my country can save,
But the keys of kind heaven, to open the grave.
That all the noble martyrs who died for loyalty,
May rise again and fight for their ain countree.
The great now are gone, who attempted to save,
The new grass is springing on the top of their graves.
But the sun through the dark blinks bright in my eye,
I'll shine on you yet in your ain countree
Home, home, home, Oh home I would want I be -
Oh home, home, home, to my ain countree!
Allan Cunningham (1784-1842)"
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StevenB
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Poem
My sins have been many, and my sorrow has been sore,
but this they'll never vex me, nor be remembered more.
For the His blood has made me white and His hand shall dry my eye,
When He brings me home at last to my ain countrie.
Thats the first time I've seen the whole poem, thank you! Boy is it revealing though. Esp. the above verse. I can see why Lizzie probably related to it. All the blood references, sins, sorrows, and talk of heaven and redemption.
Amazing!
StevenB
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Shelley
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StevenB
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Nothing Left To say
Shelley @ Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:10 pm wrote:Your interpretation of the poem (hymn) has been deduced and voiced by many Steve, over the years. Yes, it could be revealing, inasmuch as it was, in a way, her last message to the world.
I guess we should end all talk about Lizzie and move on, since there doesn't appear to be anything original to discuss anymore!
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Robert Harry
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Whether or not she is the one who had it carved into the mantle, is it not true that she had it sung at her (rather peculiar) funeral service? It seems to me that her love of that poem (or song) bespeaks volumes about Lizzie's unconsious becoming revealed!! (At least, that is possible). Even if she didn't commit the murders, she seems haunted by talk of blood, white roses, sin, and redemption.
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StevenB
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I Agree
Robert Harry @ Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:28 pm wrote:Whether or not she is the one who had it carved into the mantle, is it not true that she had it sung at her (rather peculiar) funeral service? It seems to me that her love of that poem (or song) bespeaks volumes about Lizzie's unconsious becoming revealed!! (At least, that is possible). Even if she didn't commit the murders, she seems haunted by talk of blood, white roses, sin, and redemption.
Yup, that's what I said in my post. Hey! Did anyone pose a theory that Santa did it????
He could have come down the chimney and left by it too.StevenB
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Kat
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Which version had Lizbeth requested for her private wake, do you know?
I had always been confused as to which poem there was referenced in the mantle. It sounds like the Demarest, which doesn't have the *green leaf of loyalty* etc. but does have a seeming yearning to be reunited with a *Father*.
If she moved into the French Street house and the mantles were already carved, she could have done a bit of research and found out about the poems and then taken them to heart.
I had always been confused as to which poem there was referenced in the mantle. It sounds like the Demarest, which doesn't have the *green leaf of loyalty* etc. but does have a seeming yearning to be reunited with a *Father*.
If she moved into the French Street house and the mantles were already carved, she could have done a bit of research and found out about the poems and then taken them to heart.
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StevenB
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Poems
Kat @ Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:31 pm wrote:Which version had Lizbeth requested for her private wake, do you know?
I had always been confused as to which poem there was referenced in the mantle. It sounds like the Demarest, which doesn't have the *green leaf of loyalty* etc. but does have a seeming yearning to be reunited with a *Father*.
If she moved into the French Street house and the mantles were already carved, she could have done a bit of research and found out about the poems and then taken them to heart.
I found this here.............. at lizzieandrewborden.com
A poem carved into the wood above the fireplace in Lizzie's new bedroom read:
And old time friends, and twilight plays
And starry nights, and sunny days
Come trouping up the misty ways
When my fire burns low.
Carved into the mahogany mantel of the library fireplace were the words "At Hame in My Ain Countrie," taken from a poem by the Scottish poet Allan Cunningham. When Lizzie died in 1927, at the age of sixty-eight, the soloist at her funeral sang a song composed to those words.
Clause 28 of Lizzie's will read: "I have not given my sister, Emma L. Borden, anything as she had her share of her father's estate and is supposed to have enough to make her comfortable." She signed the will as both Lizzie A. Borden and Lizbeth A. Borden.
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Shelley
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StevenB
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Frank Spiering
Frank Spiering says it was Alan Cunningham's version and credits the verse with the Bonnie white rose and ursurping tyranny to him. Some where I read that the particular verse had been carved into a mantle in Maplecroft.........
StevenB
StevenB
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Shelley
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Well, I've never had a doubt about the text, the Demarest is the hymn, written and published at just the right time, and would have been known to Lizzie. I will dig it out and scan it. I had to play it for a news program back in 1992 for the centennial, so I did some real digging to make sure I got it right. The text is the Demarest. Ladies writing hymn texts were extremely popular in that era, - Julia Ward Howe and Celia Thaxter just to name two of the "biggies".
As far as the poem and At Hame in My Ain Countrie being in Lizzie's mantels- yes they were still there the last time I was in Maplecroft , but Len cautions we do not KNOW that Lizzie had them carved in there- it might have been Mr. Allen. I tend to think Lizzie may have ordered her mantel carved in the library, as there are large Scottish thistles carved in it, and of course At Hame in My Ain Countrie. Still we can never quite know positively who did it until we find the work order for the woodcarver who did it. I'd like to believe she did.
As far as the poem and At Hame in My Ain Countrie being in Lizzie's mantels- yes they were still there the last time I was in Maplecroft , but Len cautions we do not KNOW that Lizzie had them carved in there- it might have been Mr. Allen. I tend to think Lizzie may have ordered her mantel carved in the library, as there are large Scottish thistles carved in it, and of course At Hame in My Ain Countrie. Still we can never quite know positively who did it until we find the work order for the woodcarver who did it. I'd like to believe she did.
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Shelley
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Here is the text and music for the Demarest version. Mary Lee Demarest 1838-1888, poet and hymn text writer was a contemporary of Lizzie's, and the tune is a Scottish air, which explains the large thistles carved in the fireplace mantel along with this title . My granny was a church organist and I collect old hymnals as a result. 
This hymn is in many hymnals of the period, Protestant denominations.
http://junior.apk.net/~bmames/ht0137_.htm
This hymn is in many hymnals of the period, Protestant denominations.http://junior.apk.net/~bmames/ht0137_.htm
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Shelley
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This is from www.famousamericans.net
"Mary Augusta Lee Demarest
DEMAREST, Mary Augusta Lee, born in New York city, 26 June, 1838; died in Los Angeles, California, 8 January, 1888. She was a daughter of Thomas R. Lee, and became the wife of Theodore F. C. Demarest. For many years she was a resident of Passale, New Jersey. Mrs. Demarest bequeathed $10,000 to various religious institutions. She was the author of many poems, a volume of which was published (New York, 1882). The best known of these is "My ain Countrie," which first appeared in the New York " Observer" in December. 1861."
"Mary Augusta Lee Demarest
DEMAREST, Mary Augusta Lee, born in New York city, 26 June, 1838; died in Los Angeles, California, 8 January, 1888. She was a daughter of Thomas R. Lee, and became the wife of Theodore F. C. Demarest. For many years she was a resident of Passale, New Jersey. Mrs. Demarest bequeathed $10,000 to various religious institutions. She was the author of many poems, a volume of which was published (New York, 1882). The best known of these is "My ain Countrie," which first appeared in the New York " Observer" in December. 1861."
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Shelley
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Ione Munger Hanna, an ardent Congregationalist, is credited with the hymn tune of which , due to copyright , only 2 lines can be shown http://www3.sympatico.ca/dmckilli/whc/ith/countrie.htm
Ione's parents, by the way (The Mungers) were from Massachusetts. Her remarkably forward-thinking spouse, John Rowland Hanna was Scots-Irish (which also explains the tune).
Here is a photo of Ione, who was among other things, a suffragette. This article at the link below on Ethics of Social Life, especially about women's clothing is a hoot, and well worth a read.
This excerpt is surely significant to Lizzie's station:
" A young man may start out boldly into the competitions of business life whether he be rich or poor. He may adopt the calling for which he is fitted, employ his faculties as he shall choose, receive pecuniary compensation therefor, and be confident that he is but fulfilling what a wise public opinion demands of him.
But let a young woman of wealth, who is surrounded by sheltering friends, attempt the same career, and she quickly discovers that the gates are closed. The capital that would be generously bestowed upon her brother is withheld from her through mistaken kindness. Those nearest and dearest to her will prove so many obstacles in her way rather than helps. Even if a father intend to leave his daughter a handsome fortune, he will in the majority of cases educate her to be so helpless as to be absolutely dependent upon her brothers or male relatives for business guidance and control, which is only a shade less bitter than to be dependent for one's daily necessities, rather than teach her intelligently to take care of money herself. "
No wonder Lizzie chose this hymn!
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/ ... hanna.html
Ione's parents, by the way (The Mungers) were from Massachusetts. Her remarkably forward-thinking spouse, John Rowland Hanna was Scots-Irish (which also explains the tune).
Here is a photo of Ione, who was among other things, a suffragette. This article at the link below on Ethics of Social Life, especially about women's clothing is a hoot, and well worth a read.
This excerpt is surely significant to Lizzie's station:
" A young man may start out boldly into the competitions of business life whether he be rich or poor. He may adopt the calling for which he is fitted, employ his faculties as he shall choose, receive pecuniary compensation therefor, and be confident that he is but fulfilling what a wise public opinion demands of him.
But let a young woman of wealth, who is surrounded by sheltering friends, attempt the same career, and she quickly discovers that the gates are closed. The capital that would be generously bestowed upon her brother is withheld from her through mistaken kindness. Those nearest and dearest to her will prove so many obstacles in her way rather than helps. Even if a father intend to leave his daughter a handsome fortune, he will in the majority of cases educate her to be so helpless as to be absolutely dependent upon her brothers or male relatives for business guidance and control, which is only a shade less bitter than to be dependent for one's daily necessities, rather than teach her intelligently to take care of money herself. "
No wonder Lizzie chose this hymn!
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/ ... hanna.html
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Kat
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The carvings at Maplecroft were the subject of in-depth research and resulting article in the old LBQ, by our own William:
Ulrich, William. "The Carvings of Maplecroft." Lizzie Borden Quarterly II.6 (Winter 1995): 1-3.
"Article devoted to the house on the hill that Lizzie and Emma moved to following Lizzie's acquittal. Ulrich also details his search for the source of the poem that was carved on a panel above the fireplace. Included is a full reprint of the poem 'My Ain Countrie.' "
--I left out the citations in Rebello to the material I posted, only giving a page number, but he refers to William's research on page 323.
Ulrich, William. "The Carvings of Maplecroft." Lizzie Borden Quarterly II.6 (Winter 1995): 1-3.
"Article devoted to the house on the hill that Lizzie and Emma moved to following Lizzie's acquittal. Ulrich also details his search for the source of the poem that was carved on a panel above the fireplace. Included is a full reprint of the poem 'My Ain Countrie.' "
--I left out the citations in Rebello to the material I posted, only giving a page number, but he refers to William's research on page 323.
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Allen
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Not sure if this is of any interest but I found this version of the Allan Cunningham song. Just interesting to see how the songs change over time.
"The London Magazine" - Page 220 by John Scott, John Taylor - 1822
The following Song is noticed in the introduction to the Fortunes of Nigel, and part of it is sung by Richie Moniplies.It is supposed to come from the lips of a Scottish Jacobite exile - the chorus is old.
1.
It's hame and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O, hame, hame hame, to my ain countree;
There's an eye that ever weeps, and a face that will be fain,
As I pass through Annan- water with my bonnie bands again;
When the flower is in the bud, and the leaf upon the tree,
The lark shall sing me home in my ain countree.
2.
It's hame, and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O hame, hame, hame, to my ain countree;
The green leaf of loyalty's beginning for to fa';
The bonnie white rose is whitherin an a',
But I'll water't with the blood of usurping tyrannie,
And green it will grow in my ain countree.
3.
It's hame, and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O hame, hame, hame to my ain countree;
There's nought now from ruin my country can save
But the keys of kind heaven to open the grave,
That all the noble martyrs who died for loyaltie
May rise again and fight for their ain countree.
4.
It's hame, and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O hame, hame, hame to my ain countree;
The great now are gane who a' ventured to save,
The new grass is growing aboon their bloody grave,
But the sun through the mirk blinks blythe in my ee,
I'll shine on ye yet in your ain countree.
By Allan Cunningham
http://books.google.com/books?id=idUYAA ... +an%27+all
If
"The London Magazine" - Page 220 by John Scott, John Taylor - 1822
The following Song is noticed in the introduction to the Fortunes of Nigel, and part of it is sung by Richie Moniplies.It is supposed to come from the lips of a Scottish Jacobite exile - the chorus is old.
1.
It's hame and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O, hame, hame hame, to my ain countree;
There's an eye that ever weeps, and a face that will be fain,
As I pass through Annan- water with my bonnie bands again;
When the flower is in the bud, and the leaf upon the tree,
The lark shall sing me home in my ain countree.
2.
It's hame, and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O hame, hame, hame, to my ain countree;
The green leaf of loyalty's beginning for to fa';
The bonnie white rose is whitherin an a',
But I'll water't with the blood of usurping tyrannie,
And green it will grow in my ain countree.
3.
It's hame, and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O hame, hame, hame to my ain countree;
There's nought now from ruin my country can save
But the keys of kind heaven to open the grave,
That all the noble martyrs who died for loyaltie
May rise again and fight for their ain countree.
4.
It's hame, and it's hame, hame fain would I be,
O hame, hame, hame to my ain countree;
The great now are gane who a' ventured to save,
The new grass is growing aboon their bloody grave,
But the sun through the mirk blinks blythe in my ee,
I'll shine on ye yet in your ain countree.
By Allan Cunningham
http://books.google.com/books?id=idUYAA ... +an%27+all
If
"He who cannot put his thoughts on ice should not enter into the head of dispute." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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Amaykate
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Re: My Ain Contree
Um....WOW!! I know that contributes nothing relative to this discussion but I'd never seen this poem. It's nuts.