Ae efternn as I chanced tae stray
Doon the brae tae see the Tay
Passing by the auld Brae Well
The auld kirk hammer struck its bell
Windering wha the time would be
I looked at my watch twas ten past three
That clocks gaen daft I said to masel
When the clock replied your daft yourself
Astonished at this quaint reply
I looked upon the clock on high
And saw its big hand gi a shack
And heard it say “Come gies your crack”
I then sat doon upon the brae
Tae hear what it would really say
My worthy freend it then began
You really think yourself a man
But you’ve little cause tae hae complain
And say that I gaen insane
Mans days are numbered friend tak heed
I’ll be a clock when your lang deed
And freend when you become my age
You’ll be but a blot on history’s page
Now there’s my freend the factory bell
I hear its tingle now and then
As lassies late run doon the brae
Look up at me disdainfully
Wi’ a touch of pity in their ee’
As if to say haud on a wee
Baker MacFarlane looked after me for mony a year
Oiled my wheels and wouned my gear
The late Post Master followed him
And with his engineering skill
The Bakers place he weel did fill
Now Andra the Beadle tends to me
And tends me well you will agree
And that generous firm fae doon the brae
Adds something extra to his pay
Many of our youths went near and far
Some alas went to the war
There they bravely fighting fell
Wha played as laddies round the well
Then to the public I do say
Thanks for raising something for their memory
Preserve that spot within the dell
Tae him wha sang its praise so well
Tae wha found lifes ways gie hard
Jimmy Ferguson the unhonoured Bard
There’s another thing on Saturday night
Beneath your braw electric light
Some drouthy cronies meet
At the foot o’ Charlotte Street
There drinking doubting and quarrelling
Till well near twel when my hammer strikes the bell
Wi’ some respect for the Sabbath day
Each ane hameward makes his way
But, Andra lad during the war
When you were serving in Bendalls Bar
Mony’s a poor rejected loon
I’ve seen gaen staggering yont the toun
This I couldna stand nae longer
My patience it had turned tae anger
So up I got and shook masel
Wi that the hammer struck the bell
I resolved to tell you people
About your freend the auld Kirk Steeple.