Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AULD DUMFRIES, FAIR DUMFRIES, by WILLIAM MCDOWALL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AULD DUMFRIES, FAIR DUMFRIES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Auld dumfries, fair dumfries, for ever dear to me
Last Line: Of burgh-toons the pick and wale, the bonniest place I see.
Subject(s): Love


AULD Dumfries, fair Dumfries, for ever dear to me,
Seated where in cosy bield the Britons planted thee;
Water'd by the wimpling Nith, girt by guardian hills,
Looking in thy winsome face, pride my bosom fills;
Ilka feature glads the e'e, to the memory brings
Mony thochts o' tenderness, and blinks o' by-gane things,
What time the buirdly Romans ruled the country wide,
Lang before the Lion-King claim'd thee for his bride.
Fair Dumfries, rare Dumfries, for ever dear to me:
Dower'd by nature's dainty hand, the bonniest place I see.

In mony a border battle ye bore a double share;
In mony a feudal foray ye suffer'd sad and sair.
Wasted by the Southron loons, laid in ashes black,
Swith ye aye got up again, and paid the reivers back;
Dool to the faithless dyke that ever loot them in!
But blessings on the strong arms that made them hameward rin!
Aince Charlie wi' his Hielanders your aumrie emptied clean,
But the puir lad had scarce a plack, or he wadna been sae keen.
Fair Dumfries, rare Dumfries, for ever dear to me:
In spite o' by-gane broileries the bonniest place I see.

Owre the caul the waters dance, wi' a pleasant croon,
Welcome to your charm'd ear as laverock's voice in June;
And minglin' wi' the canticles which through your bowers rang
For precious simmers five arose an everlasting sang:
'Twas loud and lown, 'twas blythe and sweet, 'twas Sorrow's sel' by turns,
Its singer was your ain great son, and Coila's minstrel Burns;
And since they laid him in the mools, the sacred solemn trust
Is yours, to tent wi' miser care the poet's sleepin' dust.
Fair Dumfries, rare Dumfries, for ever dear to me:
Burgh of the poet's shrine, the bonniest place I see.

Auld Dumfries, fair Dumfries, sae auld and yet sae new,
Growin' bigger every year, and bonnier to the view:
Wi' ha's and kirks fu' splendid, and birring busy mills,
Where Industry sae eident, the horn o' plenty fills;
Wi' braw villas buskit, and crown'd wi' steeples five,
My blessin' be on you and yours; lang may ye thrive!
Wi' rowth o' bairns about ye, better ne'er hae been,
A' loyal to their mither dear, the dainty Southern Queen.
Fair Dumfries, rare Dumfries, for ever dear to me:
Of burgh-toons the pick and wale, the bonniest place I see.





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