Classic Poem

Tune, — The braes o' Branksome .

Asi gaed till the sweet back brae,
The lavricks sweet was skirlin',
Whilk gard me blythsome tune my lay,
To sing the braes o' Stirlin '.

Here Snowden rear'd her ancient head,
Lang e'er the days o' Merlin',
When Pictish Kings they form'd a shade,
Snug on the braes o' Stirlin '.

Frae David's reign, to Ballangeich,
The gowd in routh was birlin',
Then Scotia held her head fa' skigh,
When Kings they rang in Stirlin '.

At tilt our nobles play'd their fill,
While love their hearts was dirlin';
When sweet nymphs clad the bonny lady Hill,
High by the vale o' Stirlin '.

At round table (our fam'd Kings met,)
To play, gaed lord an' earl in,
'Tis nature's pride this lovely spot,
Below the braes o' Stirlin '.

Here Forth she bounds her crooked bed,
Round Cambuskenneth swirlin',
Her fertile banks will never fade,
While stands the Braes o' Stirlin '.

Ilk swain walks by the plantin' grove,
To meet his lovely girl in;
To whisper out their tales o' love,
Upon the braes o' Stirlin '.

'Tis there into Camb's Wallace seat,
Dear ladies woo their darlin',
While Cupid'crowns their vows compleat,
Upon the braes o' Stirlin '.

John Wright the pin drew at Kildane,
Whilk set the Saxons snarlin',
Then Wallace flew the Englishmen,
Below the braes o' Stirlin '.

You'll lofty view Benloman's brow,
An' far ayont Dunfarmlin':
Auld Riekie's towers, an' Berwick Law,
Aff the high braes o' Stirlin '.

O! were I King o' fam'd Whitehall,
Wha's Crown has mony a pearl in,
Wi' a' my heart I'd come an' dwell
On the sweet braes o' Stirlin '.