Civic Week in Kelsae is Really Hard to Beat
I’ve travelled far in this fair land and seen a sight or two,
But there’s no’ a place like Kelsae when it’s decked in white and blue,
I’ll tell you tales of Border towns, their Festivals I greet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
I’ve watched the Hawick Cornet parade and ride the bounds,
He has a long tradition and proudly sings the sounds,
Of those who went before him, whether mounted or on feet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
To Selkirk I have travelled, I’ve sung “Hail Smiling Morn”,
I’ve watched them cast their Standards, as to the casting born,
I followed on the fife and drum and tramped a Souter street,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Braw Lad has his attendants all dressed in black and white,
They bring a touch of glamour, they are a bonny sight,
The Bearers of the Roses add another female treat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Melrosian in his Abbey and a heart from long ago,
Whilst the brooding hills of Eildon take in the scene below,
The Masons get their aprons on and march along the street,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Dingers have their Reiver who rides the moors around,
They sing their song - oh mighty me, its not a pretty sound.
Their Festival is going still: and that is quite a feat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Muckle Toon is rightly proud of things that it has done,
Niell Armstrong made it to the moon, he’s Langholm’s favourite son,
McDiarmid himself a Poet of note, looks down from lofty seat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
Proud Peebles has its Cornet to lead the festive time,
And all around his royal court pay homage all sublime,
I’ve followed on the Cornet and enjoyed the folk you meet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
By Lauder’s Watering Stane I’ve sat, I’ve heard the Exiles sing,
I’ve heard the Greetings read aloud, I’ve heard the Last Post ring,
Around the town’s memorial – and yes – I’ve had a greet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
To Coldstream on the border with our torches shining bright,
I followed in procession on a balmy summer night,
I’ve paid respect to kith and kin at Flodden’s lonely seat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
I’m nearly home – to Yetholm fair – my heart has lingered here,
The Bari Gadgi and his lass I’ve supported many a year,
Frae Town and Kirk with one accord the villagers I greet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The cry goes up Jethart’s here the Callant soon arrives ,
It’s another blooming Miller- the bane of all our lives,
They’ll sing a song and another one – no swear words they delete,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
And now it’s home to Kelsae, the place I love so well
The Queen o’ a’ the Borders and home wherein I dwell,
The Border Towns all welcomed me they make my life complete,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
As delivered at the Ex Laddies Dinner 2003 by Mr Billy Patterson, formerly of Ednam
But there’s no’ a place like Kelsae when it’s decked in white and blue,
I’ll tell you tales of Border towns, their Festivals I greet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
I’ve watched the Hawick Cornet parade and ride the bounds,
He has a long tradition and proudly sings the sounds,
Of those who went before him, whether mounted or on feet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
To Selkirk I have travelled, I’ve sung “Hail Smiling Morn”,
I’ve watched them cast their Standards, as to the casting born,
I followed on the fife and drum and tramped a Souter street,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Braw Lad has his attendants all dressed in black and white,
They bring a touch of glamour, they are a bonny sight,
The Bearers of the Roses add another female treat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Melrosian in his Abbey and a heart from long ago,
Whilst the brooding hills of Eildon take in the scene below,
The Masons get their aprons on and march along the street,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Dingers have their Reiver who rides the moors around,
They sing their song - oh mighty me, its not a pretty sound.
Their Festival is going still: and that is quite a feat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The Muckle Toon is rightly proud of things that it has done,
Niell Armstrong made it to the moon, he’s Langholm’s favourite son,
McDiarmid himself a Poet of note, looks down from lofty seat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
Proud Peebles has its Cornet to lead the festive time,
And all around his royal court pay homage all sublime,
I’ve followed on the Cornet and enjoyed the folk you meet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
By Lauder’s Watering Stane I’ve sat, I’ve heard the Exiles sing,
I’ve heard the Greetings read aloud, I’ve heard the Last Post ring,
Around the town’s memorial – and yes – I’ve had a greet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
To Coldstream on the border with our torches shining bright,
I followed in procession on a balmy summer night,
I’ve paid respect to kith and kin at Flodden’s lonely seat,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
I’m nearly home – to Yetholm fair – my heart has lingered here,
The Bari Gadgi and his lass I’ve supported many a year,
Frae Town and Kirk with one accord the villagers I greet,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
The cry goes up Jethart’s here the Callant soon arrives ,
It’s another blooming Miller- the bane of all our lives,
They’ll sing a song and another one – no swear words they delete,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
And now it’s home to Kelsae, the place I love so well
The Queen o’ a’ the Borders and home wherein I dwell,
The Border Towns all welcomed me they make my life complete,
But Civic Week in Kelsae is really hard to beat.
As delivered at the Ex Laddies Dinner 2003 by Mr Billy Patterson, formerly of Ednam