The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/The Dumfries Volunteers
For other versions of this work, see Does Haughty Gaul Invasion Threat?.
THE DUMFRIES VOLUNTEERS.
TUNE—'PUSH ABOUT THE JORUM.'
April, 1795.
Does haughty Gaul invasion threat?Then let the loons beware, Sir,There's wooden walls upon our seas,And volunteers on shore, Sir.The Nith shall run to Corsincon,And Criffel sink to Solway,Ere we permit a foreign foeOn British ground to rally!Fal de ral, &c.
O let us not like snarling tykesIn wrangling be divided;Till, slap, come in an unco loonAnd wi' a rung decide it.Be Britain still to Britain true,Amang oursels united;For never but by British handsMaun British wrangs be righted!Fal de ral, &c.
The kettle o' the kirk and state,Perhaps a clout may fail in't;But deil a foreign tinkler loonShall ever ca' a nail in't.Our fathers' bluid the kettle bought,And wha wad dare to spoil it;By heaven, the sacrilegious dogShall fuel be to boil it.Fal de ral, &c.
The wretch that wad a tyrant own,And the wretch his true-born brother,Who would set the mob aboon the throne,May they be damned together!Who will not sing, 'God save the King,'Shall hang as high's the steeple;But while we sing, 'God save the King,'We'll ne'er forget the People.