Poetry - Foggieloan by J.B.Rattray

1.	Amang the Braes o’ Marnoch lie A couthy Burgh to the eye, A sma’ bit toon, baith clean an’ neat, A bonnier place ye’ll never meet, Wi’ lanes an’ streets an’ squar’ an’ a’ It disna’ need a guide book’s blaw, Fit bonnier sicht than oor Gowkha’ Y’ill never see.	7.	Its fitba' team has got ambition, Its president a man o' vision Fa swears the Highland League will see Fit Foggieloan's select can dee; A widna' wonder tho' his scheme Becomes a fact an' no a dream, We'll stuff the Scottish Cup wi' breem, An' tak' it hame.
2.	A braw Town Council tae it’s got, A fine upstanding strapping lot, Fit sits an’ chirps wi’ unco clatter, If naethings deen it disna’ matter, For like affairs o’ high estate They maun tak’ time wi’ their debate, Puir Foggieloan it is yer fate They’re wrastlin’ ower.	8.	It's got electric licht as weel, Through a' the houses, shops, and squeel. In aulden days ye'd be a witch Tae light the Burgh wi' a switch. It may be strong an' unco bricht, But aye ma mind gangs tae the nicht I'd rather hae, wi' auld lamplight, In Foggieloan.
3.	We've got a Park for bairns as weel, As bigger bairns that's left the squeel, A bonnie place wi' trees a roun' 'Twid not disgrace a muckle toon, An' doon the street a bonnie Hall For haudin' whists or Farmers Ball, But if ye want yer death o' caul, Ye'll get it there.	9.	When winter's snaw fills dyke an' hedge, There's Michie's park for loons tae sledge, A'm sure their mithers dread thae weeks For drying claes an' mendin' breeks, But summer comes and days get hot, The loons are aff just like a shot, Far tae, but tae the Inky pot, Tae hae a dook.
4.	An' if a dander ye should want Ging try the Hill, a bonnie haunt, Wi' paths an' trees an' thackit shelter, For refuge frae a rainy skelter. An' files ye'll meet love's auld sweet sang, As airm in airm they walk alang, Awa' frae a' the crowded thrang, O' Foggieloan.	10.	An' noo dramatics hiv begun. The players think it awfa fun, Tae strut the stage wi' lowerin' mien, Or make shy love tae Bonnie Jean; Fine div I mind their first Dramatic, Wi' mony a joke an' acrobatic, They had the audience fair asthmatic, An' hoastin' sair.
5.	A Bowling Club an' Tennis Court Supply the unco swack wi' sport, On summers nichts, a brawly crew, They race aboot, or backbane bow, The pride an' strength o' oor great nation, They feel ne'ist day wi' consternation, The urgent need for embrocation, Weel rubbit in.	11.	Frae Auchintoul tae Timbuctoo For that pairt a' the warld thro', Oh Foggieloan there's nae a stane I'd swap for a' the gold in Spain, Yer proodly laid far a' tae see, Frae Cranna Hill ower tae Dundee, Ye nestle in sae cosily, Anent the burn. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6.	Its hostelries are kent afar, The cheer is guid the meal is squar, In corduroys and knicky-tams They tak guid cheer in Foggie drams, The company is aye the best, Ye'll get yer troubles aff yer chest, An' tell yer stories wi' the rest, Till a's content.		As written by John B Rattray. Click here to access a Scots Dictionary Tip: For words like 'mithers' - reduce search to 'mither'
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