Agnes Lyon facts for kids
Agnes Lyon (1762–1840) was a Scottish poet. She was known for her funny poems. She lived during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
About Agnes Lyon
Early Life and Family
Agnes Lyon was born in Dundee, Scotland, in early 1762. She was the oldest daughter of Agnes Hamilton and John Ramsay L'Amy. Her family lived in a place called Dunkenny in Forfarshire. Agnes had a younger brother named James L'Amy. He became a lawyer, known as an "advocate," and also a "Sheriff" for the area of Forfar. A sheriff was a legal official who helped keep order and justice.
Her Poetry
Agnes Lyon was a very talented writer. She wrote many poems and filled four large books with her work. She asked that these poems not be printed unless her family needed money. Her poems were often very funny. For example, her poem Glammis Castle from 1821 tells a humorous story about Sir Walter Scott. It describes a fun dinner party where guests stayed late and got a bit confused on their way out.
Within the towers of ancient Glammis Some merry men did dine,
And their host took care they should richly fare, In friendship, wit, and wine.
But they sat too late, and mistook the gate (For wine mounts to the brain).
Oh, 'twas merry in the hall, when the beards wagg'd all, Oh, we hope they'll be back again,
We hope they'll be back again.
Agnes Lyon is also remembered for a song that starts with "You've surely heard of famous Niel." She wrote this song for a famous musician named Niel Gow. He wanted words for his tune called "Farewell to Whisky." Sometimes, this song is printed incorrectly. However, in Charles Rogers' book Scottish Minstrel, it is printed exactly as Agnes wrote it. Even though some say the song isn't her best work, it is still remembered because of its fun topic and the famous tune it goes with.
Later Life
In 1786, Agnes Lyon married Reverend Dr. James Lyon. He was from Glamis, a town in Forfarshire. Agnes Lyon passed away on September 14, 1840.
