Leithers, Awake!
This first poem we are sharing on the 2nd November - the date the Edinburgh Boundaries and Tramworks Extension bill was enacted.
(Lines suggested by ex-Baillie Andrew Gibson’s stirring reply to Chancellor Young of Edinburgh, in the Amalgamation debate.)
Ye folks a’ Leith, are ye a’ sleepin’
Whilst Reekie’s cheils are busy reapin’
Braw schemes to hae ye in their keepin’ For
evermair?
Arouse yoursel’s an’ dae the sweepin’
O’ your ain stair!
If ye yoursel’s wad save some siller,
Ye’d better tak’ in hand the tiller
Auld Reekie means to “droon the miller,” An’ sink
the mill;
For loaded debts noo fairly fill her-
They’re ‘yont her skill.
The debter’s grawvit’s rooned her neck,
An’ just tae save hersel’ frae wreck,
She offer ye her hindmaist cheque,
Frae some dark source.
But in nae bank, gi’en bow or beck,
Wad e’er endorse.
Keep clear o’ yon West-eny crew
O’ their “fine airs” hae nocht ado,
A keen East windblaws thro’ and thro’
Their mim-moo’ed graces;
Jist skin it aff, an’ then ye’ view
Some cranks in places!
Tak’ heed from Glesca’s swollen size;
Hoo burghs aince pride did prize
Lie low this day, an’ a’ their sighs
Speak o’ taxation.
This lesson ye maun ne’er despise
O’ ruination!
But rouse ye, toonsmen, ane an’ a’
An’ gie your pipes a warlike blaw.
Let ilka patriot in a raw
Tak’ up his stand;
Auld Reekie’s seekin’ for oor fa’
An’ wants command.
Ye craftsmen o’ oor ancient toun,
Your he’rts I ken are unco soun’,
It’s time ilka ane o’us marched roun’
Oor ain auld border;
An’ paced oor boundaries up an’ doon
In martial order.
The “honest toun” ayont oot by,
(Whaur danger’s likewise drawin’ nigh)
Has lately bade her burghers hie
To “ride the marches”;
Let Leith wi’ her auld neebor vie,
‘Neath hame-mad arches!
Let’ a’ meet at the Giant’s Brae
An’ mak the auld Port bricht an’ gay,
Turn oot in sold, massed array,
Mak’ Reekie quiver;
On each a badge, an’ let it say-
“Auld Leith for ever!”
Restalrig - 30 August 1919,
( Author’s Note:- These , at this critical time in our port’s history, verses are written not in any light vein. I feel I cannot write strongly enough in our Port’s history. But do, I say emphatically, stir yourselves! Make a patriotic demonstration around our boundaries!! Such a one that has never been surpassed in the annals of the “guid auld Port.” Let us show the proud Capital whoever have looked on us as “mere Leithers,” that we can still fight, for our freedom till the bitter end. – R.)
