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John Anderson (1748 inAyrshire – May 4, 1832 inInvergarry) was aScottish carpenter by trade. He was a close friend ofRobert Burns and is reputed to have built his coffin in 1796. He is also the subject of a famous poem by Burns, later set to music called "John Anderson My Jo, John."
He is buried in Kilchuimen Burial Ground,Fort Augustus with a Scottish Heritage plaque. It mentions that his son in law was killed in the wreck of an early British passenger steamship,PSComet II, near Gourock in 1825.
The heritage plaque reads:
"John Anderson. My Jo.Friend of Robert BurnsCharacter of one of the most touching of Burns Songs. Gifted by the family of the late Norman WattersPast President of Bowhill People's Burns Club"
The stone reads:
"Sacred to the memory ofJohn Anderson who died at Invergarrythe 4 May 1832 Aged 84 yearsalso his daughter Catherine who died at Invergarry the 20 December 1832 aged 52 yearsRelict of the lateJames Grierson who was lost in the "Comet" off Gourack Point the 20 Oct 1825This stone is erected by their affectionate children."
Despite the claim recorded in the heritage plaque above, Burns' poem is based on an earlier poem of the same title and metre:
John Anderson, my jo, JohnI wonder what you meanTo lie sae lang in the morningAnd sit sae late at e'en ...................
The earlier version was extant c.1744, and is a mildly bawdy ballad in which the wife berates John for his waning performance in bed, recalls his former ardour, and threatens him with the cuckold's horns if he doesn't deliver:
........... But 'tis a mickle finer thingTo see your hurdies fykeTo see your hurdies fyke, JohnAnd hit the rising blow'Tis then I like your chanter pipeJohn Anderson, my jo.
The editors of the Canongate Burns (2001) offer no explanation for Burns's adaptation of the old song of six stanzas into a two verse celebration of love into old age (Burns himself died at the age of 37).
The Canongate Burns (2 Vols); Editors Andrew Noble & Patrick Scott Hogg; Edinburgh, 2001
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