Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BE KIND TO AULD GRANNIE, by ARCHIBALD MACKAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BE KIND TO AULD GRANNIE, by                    
First Line: Be kind to auld grannie, for noo she is frail
Last Line: Like a time-shatter'd tree bending low in the gale.
Subject(s): Grandparents; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers


BE kind to auld Grannie, for noo she is frail,
As a time-shatter'd tree bending low in the gale.
When ye were wee bairnies, tot, totting about,
She watch'd ye when in, an' she watch'd ye when out;
An' aye when ye chanc'd in your daffin an' fun,
To dunt your wee heids on the cauld staney grun',
She lifted ye up, an' she kiss'd ye fu' fain,
Till a' your bit cares were forgotten again.
Then, be kind to auld Grannie, for noo she is frail,
As a time-shatter'd tree bending low in the gale.

When first in your breast rose that feeling divine,
That's waked by the tales an' the sangs o' langsyne,
Wi' her auld-warl crack she wad pleasure inspire,
In the lang winter nichts as she sat by the fire;
Or melt your young hearts wi' some sweet Scottish lay,
Like "The Floo'rs o' the Forest," or "Auld Robin Gray."
Though eerie the win' blew around ha' an' cot,
Grim winter an' a' its wild blasts were forgot.
Then, be kind to auld Grannie, for noo she is frail,
Like a time-shatter'd tree bending low in the gale.

An' mind, though the blythe day o' youth noo is yours,
Time will wither its joys, as wild winter the floo'rs;
An' your step that's noo licht as the bound o' the roe,
Wi' cheerless auld age may be feeble and slow;
An' the friends o' your youth to the grave may be gane,
An' ye on its brink be left tott'rin alane;
O, think how consoling some friend would be then,
When the gloaming o' life comes like mist owre the glen.
Then, be kind to auld Grannie, for noo she is frail,
Like a time-shatter'd tree bending low in the gale.





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