Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Imlah, John
IMLAH, JOHN (1799–1846), poet, the son of an innkeeper, was born in Aberdeen on 15 Nov. 1799. On completing his education at the grammar school, he was apprenticed as piano-tuner to a local musicseller, and ultimately secured an appointment in the London house of Messrs. Broadwood. He died of yellow fever on 9 Jan. 1846, at St. James's, Jamaica, whither he had gone on a visit to a brother. Imlah had written poetry from his boyhood, and in 1827 he published `May Flowers,' London, 12mo, which was followed in 1841 by `Poems and Songs,' London, 12mo. He also contributed to Macleod's 'National Melodies' and the 'Edinburgh Literary Journal.' His songs are rich in fancy, and show a true instinct for the music of words. Several of them have won considerable popularity, and find a place in all Scotch collections. `Oh, gin I were where Gadie rins' is a special favourite, and its tune was for long the quick-march of the Aberdeen city rifle battalion.
[Rogers's Scottish Minstrel; Walker's Bards of Bonaccord; Aberdeen newspapers.]