OF THIS EDITION FIFTY NUMBERED COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED ON HODGKINSON’S HAND-MADE PAPER.
Rohallion
M y buits are at rest on the midden,
I haena a plack,
My breeks are no dandy anes, forrit,
And waur at the back;
On the road that comes oot o’ the hielands
I see as I trayvel the airth,
Frae the braes at the back o’ Rohallion,
The reek aboon Pairth.
There’s a canny wee hoose wi’ a gairden
In a neuk o’ Strathtay;
My mither is bakin’ the bannocks,
The weans are at play;
And at gloamin’, my feyther, the shepherd,
Looks doon for a blink o’ the licht
When he gethers the yowes by the shielin’
Tae fauld them at nicht.
There’s niver a hoose that wad haud me
Frae this tae the sea
When a wind frae the knowes by Rohallion
Comes creepin’ tae me,
And niver a lowe frae the ingle
Can draw like the trail and the shine
O’ the stars i’ the loch o’ Rohallion
A fitstep o’ mine.
There’s snaw i’ the wind an’ the weepies
Hang deid on the shaw,
And pale the leaves left on the rowan,
I’m soothward awa;
But a voice like a wraith blaws ahint me
And sings as I’m liftin’ my pack
‘I am waitin’—Rohallion—Rohallion—
My lad, ye’ll be back!’