When I was young and Scottish I

For fifty years I’ve made it mine,And held it part of me.The pines I planted in my youthTriumpantly are tall . . .Yet now I know with sorry soothI have to leave it all.Hard-hewn from out the living rockAnd salty from the tide,My house has braved the tempest shockWith hardihood and pride.Each nook is memoried…

Saint Peter coming to await.The stopped the Keeper of the Keys,Saying: ‘What suppliants are these,Who wait me not on bended knees?‘To get my heavenly OkayA man should have been used to pray,Or suffered in some grievous way.’‘Oh I have suffered,’ cried the first.‘Of wives I had the wicked worst,Who made my life a plague accurst.‘Such…

I’m sick o’ seein’ him lyin’ like a ‘eap o’ offal, and soI’m crawlin’ out in the beet-field to bury ‘is last remains.‘E might ‘a bin makin’ munitions — ‘e ‘adn’t no need to go;An’ I tells ‘im strite, but ‘e arnsers, ”Tain’t no use chewin’ the fat;I’ve got to be doin’ me dooty wiv…

And twice a year I span its girth,Its beauty to admire.But when a pub I seek each night,To my profound vexationOn form they hand me I’ve to writeMy occupation.So once in a derisive moodMy pen I nibbled;And though I know I never should:‘Gangster’ I scribbled.But as the clerk with startled faceLooked stark suspicion,I blurred it…

Prove the best of life is free,Sun and stars and sky and sea;Eager in your eyes to please,Proffer meadows, brooks and trees;Nature strives for your content,Never charging you a cent.Learn to love a garden gay,Flowers and fruit in rich array.Care for dogs and singing birds,Have for children cheery words.Find plain food and comfort areMore than…

You lift it with your bay’nit, and you sniff the fragrant steam;The very breath of it is ripe with cheer.You’re awful cold and dirty, and a-cursin’ of your lot;You scoff the blushin’ ‘alf of it, so rich and rippin’ ‘ot;It bucks you up like anythink, just seems to touch the spot:God bless the man that…