Election Ballad for Westerha’

The Laddies by the banks o’ NithWad trust his Grace wi a’, Jamie;But he’ll sair them, as he sair’d the King—Turn tail and rin awa’, Jamie.

Chorus

Up and waur them a’, Jamie,Up and waur them a’;The Johnstones hae the guidin o’t,Ye turncoat Whigs, awa’!8

The day he stude his country’s friend,Or gied her faes a claw, Jamie,Or frae puir man a blessin wan,That day the Duke ne’er saw, Jamie.

Chorus

Up and waur them a’, Jamie,Up and waur them a’;The Johnstones hae the guidin o’t,Ye turncoat Whigs, awa’!16

But wha is he, his country’s boast?Like him there is na twa, Jamie;There’s no a callent tents the kye,But kens o’ Westerha’, Jamie.

Chorus

Up and waur them a’, Jamie,Up and waur them a’;The Johnstones hae the guidin o’t,Ye turncoat Whigs, awa’!24

To end the wark, here’s Whistlebirk,Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie;And Maxwell true, o’ sterling blue;And we’ll be Johnstones a’, Jamie.

Chorus

Up and waur them a’, Jamie,Up and waur them a’;The Johnstones hae the guidin o’t,Ye turncoat Whigs, awa’!32

Footnotes

1. The fourth Duke of Queensberry, who supported the proposal that, during George III’s illness, the Prince of Wales should assume the Government with full prerogative.