Ai Poltney Burn
by W T Lyall

Ai Poltney burn wis built by man
Till kerry peit water feh Hempriggs till ai dam
Built for Ould Poltney, ai whisky till distil
An till drive ai wheel, o' ai ould meil mill.

Chuist follow ade back on ades Poltney course,
Ade winds ades way, wi' little force
In pleice ai banks are muddy an' soft
An' Mertin's coos never gie ye a thocht.

Ye'll see ai odd puddag, playin' chumpin' aboot
An boygies trying till corner an eel or a troot
Ai burnie's alive an' bristlin' wi chatter
An Cairnabies neeps grow close till ai water.

Doon till ai dam thurs less vegetation
Bairns dump thur muck wi no hesitation.
They say ai mill mannies "Are ould stewpeed asses!"
Ai dam's fill o' bed ends, ould bikes an' matrasses.

Doon past ai dam, thurs games going on
Laskies taken spangs our ai divids an stons.
Boygies playin boaties wi ould syrup tins
Then some chiel hom bawlin' cos he slipped an fell in.

Ai burn disappears in ai distillery wall
Till do a good chob 'at wis a call
Then doon 'neath ai backside, ade takes ades last run
At ai corner ai harbour, ades journey is done.

But dinna ye stop, go doon ai burn park
Doon ai ranchers hilly afore ade gets dark
End yur long walk among freends 'at ye'll meet
On a corner o' Royal an' Wellington Street