Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Our ain Fireside

Our Ain Fireside.

My country, o'er thy mountains wild Though stormy clouds may ride,There's mony a noble generous heart Sits round thy fireside.   Her ain fireside, my friends,    Her ain fireside;   May ne'er a tyrant's ruthless arm    Rule o'er her fireside.

How cheery round the ingle-cheek To hear cauld winter chide;While nappy ale an' hearty tale Gae round the fireside!   Our ain fireside, my friends,    Our ain fireside;   I'm glad to see ye a' set round    A social fireside.

The poisoned shafts that malice throws O'er harmless pastime slide,While honest worth an' cheerin' mirth Sit round the fireside.   Our ain fireside, my friends,    Our ain fireside;   The warmest glow o' friendship's flame    Shall heat the fireside.

On human worth by length of purse Let worldly slaves decide;The heart to share the world's care Aye heats the fireside.   Our ain fireside, my friends,    Our ain fireside;   The sterling value o' the heart    Aye gilds the fireside.

Through rocks and sands to distant lands The sailor wanders wide,In hopes to shield his crazy eild By couthy fireside.   The couthy fireside, my friends,    The couthy fireside;   Heaven send the lyart pow o' age    A couthy fireside.

'Tis Heaven that nerves the soldier's arm The battle's heat to bide;He boldly dares the fiercest foe To shield his fireside.   His ain fireside, my friends,    His country's fireside;   Would ye but warm a coward's heart?—    Insult his fireside.

Gi'e luxury her painted domes, Her palaces gi'e pride;But be my lot a snug warm cot And canty fireside.   A canty fireside, my friends,    A canty fireside;   Be aye my lot a snug warm cot    And canty fireside.

When bairnies brattlin round our knees On chairs and stoolies ride,What joy heaves up a parent's heart To see his fireside.    To see his fireside, my friends,    His ain fireside;   May Heaven protect the rising sprouts    Around his fireside.

Misfortune dour, wi' cauldrife stour, A neighbour may betide;We'll edge a bit and let him sit Just next the fireside.   Our ain fireside, my friends,    Our ain fireside;   May ne'er a cauld nor hungry heart    Gae by your fireside.

And, oh, may He whose powerful arm The steps o' mortals guides,Wi' health and wealth and length o' days Bless a' our firesides!   Our ain firesides, my friends,    Our ain firesides;   The choicest blessings Heaven bestows    Bless a' our firesides.