The Lads o’ Leith

When history, in the days to come,

Records the mony deeds

That in this war hae struck us dumb

(While mony a sair he’rt bleeds),

Auld Leith will show a roll o’ fame

As gallant as the lave;

For mony a lad wha’s left his hame

Has found a hero’s grave.

An’ mony and ane wha’s bore the brunt

Against oor treacherous foe,

May leave tae tell he saw the front

An’ helped tae lay him low.

The scene will ever wi’ him dwell –

Sic thochts impress the mind;

This twentieth century living hell

A’ ither fechts maun blind.

Oor ain auld port, in days lang syne,

Stood mony months o’ siege;

Oor trusty sires drawn up in line

Proved warriors brave and liege.

An’ ance  again the lads o’ Leith

Gang forrit wi’ a will,

An’ laurels shall their brows bewreath

As they show deeds that thrill.

But still we’ve room for mony mair –

We’ve got to see this through;

So come along an’ dae your share

An’ join the gallant crew.

“The mair the merrier” they say,

So ilka lad that’s free

Jist show your cronies whit tae dae

To gain the famed V.C.

Nae hunkerslidin’s wanted noo,

Just show the auld Leith speerit;

There’s no a toon, least very few,

That ever yet cam’ near it.

We’ve aye been kent as bein’ game

(Auld Reekie kens this weel),

So let’s forever keep the name

An’ ance mair upward spiel.

Restalrig.

(Publ. 28th. Nov. 1914.)