Now’s the Day and Now’s the Hour

Leithers wha hae a lo((Linesathsome dread

Wi’ Auld Reekie to be wed,

Wad rather mingle wi’ the dead,

Than lose their liberty.

Now’s the day and now’s the hour

Hoist the flag on auld Leith’s tower,

Soon the battle will be ower’ 

And we’ll still be free.

Wha o’ us that isna brave,

Wha widna dee oor toon tae save?

Wha the baner widna wave?

Let Auld Leith a’be.

Wha for Leith’s guid mainly cause

In London,, whare they make the laws,

Widna fight without a ause,

Isna worth a flea.

By oppression in days lang gane,

By the time they tried in vain, 

We’ll keep our name without a stain,

Leith, she maun be free.

Lay their prood ambitions low

Aspirants fall at every blow,

Tyranny we’ll overthrow

And ever shall be free.

J.H.

(From Andrew Grant’s collection of poems from the Leith Observer 1914 -1920)