The Heron Ballads : Wham Will We Send to London

written in 1795

Wham will we send to London town, To Parliament, and a' that, Wha maist in a' the country round, For worth and sense may fa' that. For a' that, and a' that, Thro' Galloway and a' that, Whilk is the Laird, or belted Knight, That best deserves to fa' that? Wha sees Kirouchtree's open yett, And wha is 't never saw that, Or wha e'er wi Kirouchtree met, That has a doubt of a' that? For a' that and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that; The independent Patriot, The Honest Man, and a' that. Tho' wit and worth, in either sex, Saint Mary's Isle can shaw that; Wi' Lords and Dukes let Selkirk mix, For weel does Selkirk fa' that. For a' that and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that; An independant Commoner Maun bear the gree and a' that. To paughty Lordlings shall we jouk, And it against the law, that: For even a Lord may be a gowk, Tho' sprung frae kings and a' that. For a' that and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that; A lord may be a lousy loun, Wi' ribband, star and a' that. Yon beardless boy comes o'er the hills, Wi's uncle's gowd, and a' that: But we'll hae ane frae 'mang oursels A man we ken and a' that. For a' that and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that; We are na to the market come Like nowt and naigs and a' that. If we are to be knaves and fools, And bought and sauld and a' that, A truant callan frae the schools It's ne'er be said did a' that. For a' that, and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that; And Master Dicky, thou shalt get A gird and stick to ca' that. [Then let us drink the Stewartry, Kirochtree's Laird, and a' that, Our Representative to be, For weel he's worthy a' that. For a' that, and a' that, Here's Heron yet for a' that; A House o' Commons such as he, They wad be blest that saw that].