AIR--_'Kellyburn Braes.'_ <br /> <br /> <br />Hech! what a change hae we now in this town! <br />The lads a' sae braw, the lasses sae glancin', <br />Folk maun be dizzie gaun aye in the roun' <br />For deil a haet 's done now but feastin' and dancin'. <br /> <br />Gowd 's no that scanty in ilk siller pock, <br />When ilka bit laddie maun hae his bit staigie; <br />But I kent the day when there was nae a Jock, <br />But trotted about upon honest shank's naigie. <br /> <br />Little was stown then, and less gaed to waste, <br />Barely a mullin for mice or for rattens; <br />The thrifty housewife to the flesh-market paced, <br />Her equipage a'--just a gude pair o' pattens. <br /> <br />Folk were as good then, and friends were as leal, <br />Though coaches were scant, wi' their cattle a-cantrin'; <br />Right air we were tell 't by the housemaid or chiel', <br />Sir, an' ye please, here 's your lass and a lantern. <br /> <br />The town may be clouted and pieced, till it meets <br />A' neebours benorth and besouth, without haltin'; <br />Brigs may be biggit ower lums and ower streets, <br />The Nor' Loch itsel' heaped heigh as the Calton. <br /> <br />But whar is true friendship, and whar will you see, <br />A' that is gude, honest, modest, and thrifty? <br />Tak' gray hairs and wrinkles, and hirple wi' me, <br />And think on the seventeen hundred and fifty.<br /><br />Alexander Boswell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/old-and-new-times/
