| Words |
For mony a year, my worthy friends,
Ye ken I liv'd a Tory,
The Corrupt rotten system I
Still made my boast and glory.
Retrenchment and Reform were words
My vera' soul abhorred;
In ilka plan to haud them doun
I cordially concurred.
Through a' my public life it's been
The rule I've practis'd daily,
That whether Whigs or Tory's reign,
I still maun be a Bailie.
By O, a change "came o'er my dream,"
Sad, sad, and unexpected;
I really thought I should hae been
Lord Provost ance elected:
But when I made my wishes kent,
The Council a' demurred,
About my business I was sent,
In which I ne'er concurred.
Through a' my public life it's been
The rule I've practis'd daily,
That whether Whigs or Tory's reign,
I still maun be a Bailie.
For land my services were lost,
Baith to the town and nation,
For lang I said that "honour's post
Should be the private station,"
But when Reform became the theme,
In which the people gloried,
I turned my coat, and in the scheme,
I cheerfully concurred.
Through a' my public life it's been
The rule I've practis'd daily,
That whether Whigs or Tory's reign,
I still maun be a Bailie.
Now I'm a Bailie once again,
An' constantly endeavour,
By circumspection, to retain
Baith parties' grace and favour;
Nay, when the Dean did beg the book,
Although I thought it horrid
To vote awa' the gifts o' folk,
I instantly concurred.
Through a' my public life it's been
The rule I've practis'd daily,
That whether Whigs or Tory's reign,
I still maun be a Bailie.
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| Description |
Songs from 'WHIG-RADICAL Festival Extraordinary!' (1835) (5)
This Tory pamphlet mocks the Whigs and Radicals. It suggests, particularly through the songs, that the Whigs and Radicals are not united, and that the Whig MP, Alexander Bannerman, who is given the position of the Chairman at this 'dinner', is a most ineffectual Member of Parliament. This song refers to corruption on the burgh council, but places the blame completely at the feet of the Whigs and Radicals.
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