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Old Jamie McQuirk - street musician

Holt, Edward P., 1871, Watercolour
Old Jamie McQuirk - street musician
Old Jamie McQuirk - street musician
Old Jamie McQuirk - street musician
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Category
Library Item
Item no
11324
Title
Old Jamie McQuirk - Edinburgh street musician
Description
A portrait of a man wearing a long green coat and green peaked cap. He has a round red nose and one eye closed. He holds a violin under his arm and his bow sticks out of his coat pocket.

The poet, Donald Campbell has written a poem inspired by this character by Holt:

Jamie McQuirk

Jamie McQuirk once used to play
at high-class parties and at balls
where folk would dance the night away
but now a higher duty calls;
the barefoot children at his feet
tug at his heart, there are so many.
He's taken his fiddle to the street
and plays for every passing penny
to furnish Wullie, Jock and Jenny
with shoes to put upon their feet.
Artist / maker
Date
1871
Size
20.8 x 14.2 cm
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
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