Poems

The South Countrie
on 24th Mar 2011

Poetry in Scots

Poetry in the Scots language began to be written down in the 14^th century, beginning with John Barbour’s ‘The Brus’, and continuing through the makars of the 15^th and 16^thcenturies. The poetic revival of the 18^th century led to the work of Robert Burns, and many others, and Scots poetry has continued to be composed in both general and regional forms down to the present day. Poetry probably remains the most common medium by which most Scottish people experience the fullness of Scots as a language and as a written, literary tradition.

Sally Evans, the Editor of Poetry Scotland has a life long interest in poetry in each of Scotland's indigenous languages. Sally joins us as editor of the poetry section of the SLC web site.

Don't forget to look back at the archvies of the last few months... Many interesting poets have appeared here recently!

Poem of the Month

The South Countrie

Categorised as:

I never likit the kingdom o' Fife –
    Its kail's as cauld as its wind and rain,
And the folk that bide benorth o' the Clyde
    They speak a langwidge that's no' my ain.
Doun in the west is a clarty nest,
    And the big stane cities are no' for me ;
Sae I'll buckle my pack on my auld bent back
    And tak' the road for the South Countrie.

Whaur sall I enter the Promised Land,
    Owre the Sutra or doun the Lyne,
Up the side o' the water o' Clyde,
    Or cross the muirs at the heid o' Tyne,
Or staucherin' on by Crawfordjohn
    Yont to the glens where Tweed rins wee ? –
It's maitter sma' whaur your road may fa'
    Gin it land ye safe in the South Countrie.

Yon are the hills that my hert kens weel,
    Hame for the weary, rest for the auld,
Braid and high as the Aprile sky,
    Blue on the taps and green i' the fauld :
At ilka turn a bit wanderin' burn,
    And a canty biggin' on ilka lea –
There's nocht sae braw in the wide world's schaw,
    As the heughs and holms o' the South Countrie.

You are the lads that my hert loes weel,
    Frank and couthy and kind to a',
Wi' the open broo and the mirthfu' mou'
    And the open door at the e'enin's fa' ;
A trig hamesteid and a lauchin' breed
    O' weans that hearten the auld to see –
Sma' or great, can ye find the mate
    O' the folk that bide in the South Countrie?

The lichtest fit that traivels the roads
    Maun lag and drag as the end grows near;
Threescore and ten are the years o' men,
    And I'm bye the bit by a lang, lang year.
Sae I'll seek my rest in the land loe’d best,
    And ask nae mair than that God sall gie
To my failin' een for the hinmost scene
    The gentle hills o' the South Countrie.

1916
John Buchan (1875-1940)
Waled bi the Poyetry Leebrary o Scotland

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Poems

Poetry in Scots

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The South Countrie

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