Poetic Works
Crerar is perhaps best remembered for his Robert Burns, an Anniversary Poem, (London, M. Ward, 1885), which “… was read before the Burns Society of New York at the celebration of the 126th anniversary of the birthday of the Scottish National Bard":
Excerpt from “A Poem Commemorating Robbie Burns”
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In 1890, he published Whistle Blinkie: A Collection of Songs for the Social Circle (Glasgow: David Robertson & Co., 1890).
Another poem receiving some further reference was "My Bonnie Rowan Tree", dedicated to his brother John Crerar, and written in New York on September 25, 1876:
“Caledonia’s Bonnie Blue Bells”, written in New York, September 23, 1881, recounts his visit to his family’s now-deserted croft, and discovering his father’s bed now exposed to the Scottish elements:
A stanza of Caledonia’s Bonnie Blue Bells is quoted in William Black's 1894 novel Stand Fast, Craig Royston. The reciter, George Bethune, a "garrulous" elderly Scotsman expatriate, states of the author:
Music for Crerar’s poem "The Eirlic Well" (“Inscribed, with sincere esteem, to the Edinburgh Breadalbane Association, New York, September 1880”) was composed by Archibald Menzies, S.S.C. Edinburgh. The Eirlic Well pours a rill into Girron Burn at Amulree. Girron Burn flows into the Fraochie (Braan), which merges with the Tay at the foot of Birnam Hill, Dunkeld.
Published poems included the following. To Alma, Marchioness of Breadalbane (New York, October 29, 1880) ; To-Morrow (New York, September 5, 1882) ; A Spray of White Heather (Inscribed, with Esteem and Gratitude, to Mrs. William Black, New York, September 29, 1882) ; In Memoriam Hugh MacGregor, Born at Amulree, Perthshire July 12, 1812; died at Brucefield, Ontario, Canada, July 25, 1883; A Birthday Greeting, Inscribed with Sincere Regard, To the Right Honourable, The Marquis of Breadalbane, on his Birthday, April 9, 1884 (New York, 1884); To Robert Gordon, Esq., on the occasion of his Departure from New York, May 17, 1884 (concerning a prominent banker in New York who returned to Scotland upon his retirement); Eadal Gu La! ("Sleep on till day")(dedicated to Duncan’s brother John (b. 1829 - d 30 May 1886, age 57, Amulree, Glenquaich), and written in New York on 14 June 1886); Sung Into Heaven! (Occasioned by the death of Mr. David Kennedy, the Scottish vocalist, who died at Stratford, Ontario on 13 October 1886); “The Black Watch Memorial at Aberfeldy”, (The Highland Monthly, March 1890, No. 12 Vol. I); 'Lonely Strath Naver' ; Sithchaillion (“Inscribed, with sincere regards, to my beloved fellow-Canadian, Donald Cameron, esq., formerly of Windsor, Canada, now of Drimfern, Bridge of Allan, Perthshire, Crieff, Scotland, July 7, 1905”); The Golden Gloaming’s Calm (“Inscribed to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Crerar, Crieff, on the occasion of their Golden Wedding, July 1, 1907”); Saoghal fada sona Dhuibh ! (Long life and happiness be thine!) (“To Alexander Maclean, esq., Inspector of Police, Crieff, on his birthday, November 8th, 1907”); Glad Hearts be Round thy Cheerie Fire (“Inscribed to William P. Thomson, esq., Crieff, January 14, 1909”); and Glenquaich
Other poems include: “To William Black, Poet and Novelist”, “A Christmas Greeting to Mr. and Mrs. James Brand,” “My Hero True Frae Bennachie,” “A Guid New Year,” addressed to Mr. Thomas Davidson Brown, “To Mr. William Drysdale, of Montreal,” “The Victory Won,” “In Memoriam: Jane Jardine Marsh,” “A Full Blown Flower,” “A Bridal Greeting,” and “The Orange Wreath for Heaven’s Crown,” these last three bound together and issued privately as an “In Memoriam Souvenir” of the late Mrs. Fuller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Watson . and “In Memoriam: Lieutenant T.J. Graham-Stirling, who fell at Tel-el-Kebir”.
Read more about this topic: Duncan Mac Gregor Crerar
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