More about this song
The bawdy song 'Put Butter in my Donald's Brose' appears in The Merry Muses of Caledonia (1799) under the title 'For a' that and a' that'.
The provenance of this song is uncertain, but some critics attribute it to Burns on the basis of the first two lines of the chorus: 'For a' that and a' that'/ As twice as meickle's a' that'. These lines also appear in Burns's famous version of 'For a' that and a' that', and in 'Love and Liberty, A Cantata'.
Burns makes reference to a version of 'For a' that', supposedly by someone other than himself, in a letter to George Thomson (the editor of Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs to which Burns was a contributor) dated August 1795.
In the letter, Burns claims to have heard that the author was a lady. However, it is apparent from Burn's correspondence that he often indulged his mischievous sense of humour when presenting bawdry to Thomson, and so it is very likely that this is entirely jocular.
In places, the song itself may be considered similar to other bawdy songs by Burns in that is presents both genders as carnal beings, recognises female sexual desire, and describes in detail both female and male genitalia.
This along with the skilful and energetic use of meter, language and alliteration might further support the conclusion that the song is Burns's own.
Pauline Gray
