Drums in the Walligate, pipes in the air,
Come and hear the cryin’ o’ the Fair.

A’ as it used to be, when I was a loon
On Common-Ridin’ Day in the Muckle Toon.

The bearer twirls the Bannock-and-Saut-Herrin’,
The Croon o’ Roses through the lift is farin’,

The aucht-fit thistle wallops on hie;
In heather besoms a’ the hills gang by.

But noo it’s a’ the fish o’ the sea
Nailed on the roond o’ the Earth to me.

Beauty and Love that are bobbin’ there;
Syne the breengin’ growth that alane I bear;

And Scotland followin’ on ahint
For threepenny bits spleet-new frae the mint.

Drums in the Walligate, pipes in the air,
The wallopin’ thistle is ill to bear.

But I’ll dance the nicht wi’ the stars o’ Heaven
In the Mairket Place as shair’s I’m livin’.

Easy to cairry roses or herrin’,
And the lave may weel their threepenny bits earn.

Devil the star! It’s Jean I’ll ha’e
Again as she was on her weddin’ day….

from A Drunk Man Looks at Throbbing Thistle