2008 Greeting

A National Conversation

Three hunner’ years hae come an’ gin
Since Dariens’ solution
When Queensberry an’ Godolphin
Proposed their blessed Union
Lang years past ’til Dewar’s dream
Deliver’d devolution
Noo Salmond meets wae high esteem
He wants a conversation
The common man has nae belief
In oor Westminster maisters
The passin’ months bring nae relief
Frae crisis an’ disasters

An’ nationalists noo haud the sway

We’ve heard their declaration
Their term is in its infancy

They want a conversation

Will that debate then prod awake

A sleeping lion rampant?

Wae British roots left tae forsake

An’ lea the Union dormant

We face decisions, lang and hard

This modern generation

Tae play the independent card
Needs mair than conversation

Treasury gowd fills oor coffers

Barnett’s sums they get the blame

Cap in hand we tak their offers

Ur we better aff alane?

While tartan dreams, they may beguile

The fortunes o’ oor nation

Needs mair than usquebah an’ oil

Start up the conversation

Burns’ ain regretfu’ sad fareweel

To Scoria’s fame and glory

The parcel o’ rogues wha did the deal
Ur sma’ pert o’ oor story

Scottish hairts ur aince again replete

Wae thoughts aboon oor station
Tae staun prood on oor ain twa feet

Let’s hear the conversation

Wur Burns amang us aw the noo

He’d revel in oor debate

His precious words, they wud ensue

Tae colour Scotland’s fate

His ready wit wud cut thru’ spin

Wae pow’rs o’ persuasion

Nae Scot was e’er as practised in

The art o’ conversation

Bob Carruth  2008