The Book of Scottish Song/Highland Whisky

by Duncan Campbell (fl. 19th century)

Highland Whisky.

[Duncan Campbell.]

Ye social sons of Caledon,
Wha like to rant and roar, sirs,
Wha like to drink and laugh and sing,
And join a pot encore, sirs,
Attentive listen to my lay,
'Twill make ye blythe and frisky
WTien I relate, without delay,
The praise of Highland whisky.

Aboon a' drink it bears the cree,
It's a drink that never fails man,
Auld fools may drink their trash of tea,
And ither folks their ales, man;
To a Scotchman gi'e him barley bree,
If you would make him frisky,
And then he'll swear nocht will him fear,
For sic's the power of whisky.

Wi' brandy, or wi' foreign wine
He would not wet his craigie,
There's none of them can charms combine,
If match'd with the Kilbagie;
Then fill us up another glass,
And let us drink our fill, sirs,
What signifies the cutty stoup?
Bring in the Hawick gill, sirs.

What though o' siller we're bereft,
Sae muckle mair's the pity.
But while we ha'e a penny left
We'll gi'e't for aquavitae;
Then, O, my cheering, care-dispelling,
Heart-reviving whiskey,
Curse a' your foreign trash, say I,
Gi'e me good Highland whiskey.

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