Will we ever see your likes again? – Exile
(Nostalgic ramblings of a semi–deranged ‘local’ 50 years removed) They used to spin fine cottonIn buildings proud and tallNow there’s no cotton mill at allThe buildings are still standing(Unlike the Temperance Hall)The word “Museum” says it all Spinners, weaversRefuge for school leaversWill we ever see your likes again?No mill workersDiscarded every oneWhile speculators ‘cut and […]
Wee Smeekie Slipped Awa’ – Exile
On the death of a great school pal Wee Smeekie slipped awa’, Ne’er again he’ll chase a ba’, Ne’er again he’ll chase a lass, Or mak’ a tellin’ cross-field pass, He lies in peace at Auchtergaven, Laid to rest on January eleven, Baith legs had gone, he couldnae see, He survived until two thousand and […]
Wee Bella – James Ferguson (Nisbet Noble)
Dedicated to Mr and Mrs Samuel King Street, Stanley By Mr JAMES FERGUSON on the loss of their only and much-beloved Daughter “Wee Bella” Our little one sleeps ! And Naturu untiring vigil keeps Over her head where the wild flowers wave And the soft winds marmer above her grave The requiem that the earth […]
Toodle Puddle – Alastair Shiach
Poem by Alastair Shiach. A tribute to Geordie Stewart read at his retiral party at New Stanley House in 2008. A man from Stanley we’re here to cheer One and all from far and near Rich man, poor man, laird and gentry Have come on pushbikes and a Bentley It’s Geordie Stewart we’re here to […]
The Tinkers Tale
(With apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan) I’m such a very model of a 1950’s tinker man,Inertia betrays me as I languish in my caravan,Filched furtively from Petrie’s farm, appropriated Runciman,I’m such a very model of a 1950’s tinker man, My horse and cart are only part of being recognisable,My raiment too, may give a clue, […]
The Stanley Poem – Exile
Reminiscing can come easy, When you have time on your hands, Reminiscing can come easy, When you visit foreign lands, And so it was in Portugal in 1995, I cast my mind, To days gone by, And thanked God I was alive, Thoughts took me back to childhood, All those people, many gone, Such a […]
The Red Hackle – Anon
The late Ernie Anderson sang this song in my parents house in Manse Crescent on Hogmanay over 50 years ago and I’m grateful to his widow Ruby for providing the words. Now listen and I’ll tell you a story Of a boy who was taken from home Just to fight for his King and his […]
The Pitlochry Fourball Part 2 – Exile
Part 2 The story o’ Wee Jimmy Back in the clubhouse after the game, Things started off remarkably tame, “We’ll just have a pint before we go hame, Just one or two beers, While Mike and Camsie had more o’ the same, Me an’ Archie disappeared, It was warm in Pitlochry wae the sun on […]
The Pitlochry Fourball – Exile
Part 1 The story o’ Camsie The night before had ta’en its’ toll, And numbed the senses o’ our soul, Through boozy haze we made a plan, And we agreed that tae a man, We’d play golf at Pitlochry, The smell of breakfast filled the air, ‘Teroan’ was famous for its’ fare, We ‘rose and […]
The Minister’s Tale – Exile
(With apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan) I am the very model of a 1950’s MinisterDevout, crusading, preaching, praying, ecclesiastic characterSartorially resplendent, dressed in black, I look quite sinister,I am the very model of a 1950’s Minister Don’t call me Pastor, Father, Priest, for that resembles PoperyWe don’t like Baptists, Mormons, Jews, not part of our […]