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Poems, Scots and English cover

Poems, Scots and English

Chapter 7: The Shorter Catechism

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About This Book

A mixed collection of poems presented in Lowland Scots vernacular alongside English verse, arranged to contrast rustic, conversational pieces with more formal lyrics. The poems shift among pastoral scenes, local anecdote, satirical religious and civic commentary, classical allusion, and wartime or elegiac reflection. Tones range from comic and colloquial to grave and contemplative, with recurrent attention to memory, community, landscape, and moral questioning, and an emphasis on dialectal expression woven into traditional poetic forms.

The Shorter Catechism

(With Proofs)

When I was young and herdit sheep,

I read auld tales o’ Wallace wight;

My heid was fou o’ sangs and threep

O’ folk that feared nae mortal might.

But noo I’m auld and weel I ken

We’re made alike o’ gowd and mire;

There’s saft bits in the stievest men,

The bairnliest’s got a spunk o’ fire.

Sae hearken to me, lads,

It’s truith that I tell;—

There’s nae man a’ courage—

I ken by mysel’.

I’ve been an elder forty year,

I’ve tried to keep the narrow way,

I’ve walked afore the Lord in fear,

I’ve never missed the kirk a day,

I’ve read the Bible in and oot,

I ken the feck o’t clean by hert;—

But still and on I sair misdoot

I’m better noo than at the stert.

Sae hearken to me, lads,

It’s truith I maintain!—

Man’s works are but rags, for

I ken by my ain.

I hae a name for dacent trade;

I’ll wager a’ the countryside

Wad swear nae trustier man was made

The ford to soom, the bent to bide.

But when it comes to coupin’ horse

I’m juist like a’ that e’er were born,

I fling my heels and tak my course—

I’d sell the minister the morn.

Sae hearken to me, lads,

It’s truith that I tell:—

There’s nae man deid honest—

I ken by mysel’.

1911