Poems (Barbara White)/It's a Long Way to Bonnie Scotland

by Barbara White

It's a Long Way to Bonnie Scotland

(A Scotchman's impression of America before he comes here and how he gets fooled after he lands.)

——

Into Philadelphia came a braw'nie Scot one day
  He thought the streets were paved with gold
As some blowhorns did say;
  He was looking 'round for dollars
But not one could he find;
  He says: I see it's up to me, I've got to change my mind.

   Chorus
     It's a long way to bonnie Scotland,
       It's a long way to go,
     It's a long way to bonnie Scotland,
       To the sweetest place I know;
     Farewell to Stirling Castle,
       Also St. George's Square;
     It's a long, long way to bonnie Scotland
       But true hearts are there.

Donald sent a letter to his chum across the sea,
  He says: If you should leave the land that's very dear to me
Make up your mind you've got to work
  Whenever you do land,
As you don't get dollars flying round
  In Uncle Samuel's land.

His chum he sent a neat reply to Donald the next day;
  He says I think I'll stay at home and take what they give me.
To leave the land of my birth
  It would break my heart you know,
So come back soon and see me
  For I'm longing for yon so.