Barrmill Jolly Beggars

Rab Wilson of New Cumnock, replied to the toast to Jean Armour at Barrmill Jolly Beggars 2^nd Annual Jean Armour Dinner on May 7 2010 in Beith Masonic Hall. The principal toast was very eloquently proposed by his very talented wife, Margaret, on what proved to be a marvellous night of fun and friendship greatly enjoyed by 80 lads and lassies. Jolly Beggar Hon President and Secretary Donald L Reid wrote to thank Margaret and Rab for their contribution to a memorable evening and he responded with the following poem.

It is nae lee – ye best believe,

We baith enjoyed oor nicht in Beith,

We’d never ettle tae deceive,

Wi bogus flattery,

But Barrmill shairly bears the gree,

Fir camaraderie!

 

Each Lad an Lass desairves their fame,

They made us baith feel richt at hame,

Sae we’ll be shair tae heize yer name,

Whaur e’er we go,

An micht the Barmill Club’s bricht flame,

Aye brichtly glow!

 

Oan frienships bonds we’d ne’er default,

New friens in Beith we nou exalt,

A peerless nicht withooten fault,

Wi richt guid will,

We’ll raise a gless o ‘Scapa’ Malt,

Tae toast Barrmill!

 

Tae Toast Barrmill Jolly Beggars

Rab Wilson

 

 

Hugh Ferguson, Toronto, Canada, is the author of this poem, Longing for Beith.  A Jolly Beggar whose heart remains in Beith, Hugh is absent from meetings of the Barrmill Jolly Beggars only due to his location across the sea. This particular poem took second place in the Robert Burns World Federation poetry writing competition as part of the Year of Homecoming 2009.

 

I left Auld Scotia a long time ago,

To seek fame and fortune and gracefully grow,

But now that I’m older this thought tweaks my brain

Will I ever see Scotland again?

 

A walk through the main Street or up to the Strand,

I’m once again playing in the local pipe band;

And there we are running to get out of the rain,

Will I ever see Scotland again?

 

It’s now Sunday morning, do you hear the Church Bell,

If you don’t go to Church then you’ll sure go to hell;

Meet with all of my friends just inside Nesbit’s Pen,

Will I ever see Scotland again?

 

Over to Largs to the Moorings we go,

The trip down the Hailley, you’d better go slow;

Come back o’er the moors and down through the fen;

Will I ever see Scotland again?

 

The view from the Bigholm, Ailsa Craig you can see,

Or the Chair of St. Inan, with my son on my knee;

Then hearing the song of the wee Titty Wren,

Will I ever see Scotland again?

 

My memories are endless, they are etched Oh! so deep,

I even see things when I’m deep in my sleep;

My hearts is in the Highlands and down in the Glen,

Will I ever see Scotland again?

 

When my days are all over and I’ve gone to my rest,

My Spirit will hover o’er the land I love best;

God will take me to Heaven and surely right then,

I’ll know I’ve seen Scotland again.

 

Longing for Beith

Hugh Ferguson