BORDER TRIBUTE

1. Some think that Scotland sterts somewhere near Perth,
or close by Edinburgh, she at first draws breath.
Whilst speedin' Heiland-way tae don a Kilt
and nod at skirl o' bagpipes and the lilt-

2. -O' gaelic-soondin names that resonate,
wi rapid tour-guide soondbights in their pates.
An' randy for tartan draepit' fantasie,
Frae "Brigadoon" tae "Brave and Bonnie Prince Charlie"

3. But sooth o' there's an airt they dinna but run by,
O' mist-sheep-shadae, hills an' moors an' aye-.
- hard-handed pragmatists wha daily plough,
an' reap; an' mak' fine woolen garments then as now.

4. I'm speakin' o' the land that's "Borders"- named
in mony a ballad, poesy and tale o' fame.
In wundie bald-crest, burn-drain'd foldit' hill an vale.
And toons wi' folk o' habit leal, wise and hale.

5. This land o' former Hot-Trod, reivin' tribe an' family.
Is no just what they're telt "They Ought to See"!
It's hist'ry owes but little tae romance,
but raither pillage, retribution and "Tak' yer Chance"!

6. Nae pallid Euro-Prince wad ha' survivit' here,
but end impaled on Scott or Elliot spear.
Sic' heritage as bearin' pike and hallberd het-blood root,
Is now on Rugby-field or Jethart-ba' played oot.

7. The land that seldom Scots or English throne could tame, 
is unco' blest wi' spirit bold but yin that values hame-
-and kinfolk canny, unpretentious, fiercely fu' o' pride,
that's oft' in stoic manner, first perceiv'd ootside. 

8. The folk o' Scotia's Southlands link 'sells mair-
character-alike tae Northern England's mores, music and affairs.
By often mutual need, alliances set blade, 
Across a line that Romans, then fell monarchies had made.

9. Listen keenly tae the spoken word, 
o' common folk and bards wha's muse has stirred.
In Border-toon and sheep-cropp'd fellside bare.
Appreciatin' clear burn, grass and fresh, clean air.

10. Hear throaty smallpipe, liltin' fiddle and refrain,
the very hint o't tak's ma world'ed absent mind tae hame.
Wandrin's worthy, curious and body lang-away,
frae river-squattin' stane toons auld and gray.

11. Hermitage, Jethart, Roxburgh, Lochmaben, ancient storied keeps.
Their very aspect stirs tales and legends o' fell deeds wild, brave an' threep-
-intae ilka aspect o' their atmospheric-stauch existence tae this day.
As if tae say "Here still sits power, in spite o' hist'ry, I stay"!

12. Bards o' plenty this wild land has spawned,
Rabbie Burns, Sir Wattie Scott, Hogg the Shepherd, Wat' the Rhymer stand.
Alive still, words o' wisdom, tale o' mirth or tragedie.
Remain this day for those o' us whae care their worth tae see.

13. This modest hamely tribute now my muse maun cour.
As quo' bard-Rabbie, "Sic flights are far beyond her power"!
I leave ye hopefully wi' curiosity,
This worthy, storied Borderland tae see.