The Bonnet Blue
The laddie and his followers bold, are gathered in the square
Entrusted with the banner blue, he handles it with care
The toll bell rings, the provost sings, the pipers start their tune
The cavalcade set on their way, to bonnie Yetholm toon
The laddie sets off heading south, across auld Rennies bridge
Up Maxwellheugh, past proctors, towards the Softlaw ridge
Steadfast in his mind he knows, there’s something he must do
Making for the border line, to win the bonnet blue
For seven miles, past hill and styles, the horses make their way
The riders there, from all the airts, to join his special day
From Hawick, and Jethart, Gala, Selkirk, Duns and Coldstream too
They’re here to help him on his way, to win the bonnet blue
For a young man of auld Kelso town, he’s never been so proud
To lead the Yetholm ride one day, he’d hoped he’d be allowed
With young and old, and ex-laddies bold, across the fields the flew
Heading for the border line, to win the bonnet blue
Up Graden moor, the horses stoor, the riders earn their spurs
The hooves are flying, the wildlife crying, the sheep and cattle stirs
They’re getting near, they can hear the cheer, with vigour borne anew
He’s getting near the border now, to win his bonnet blue
The horses come down Venchen hill, to meet a joyful scene
The crowd all there, to join the fair, upon Kirk Yetholm green
The challenge met, with toil and sweat, from a boy a man has grew
And he’s made it to the border line, and he’s won his bonnet blue
Entrusted with the banner blue, he handles it with care
The toll bell rings, the provost sings, the pipers start their tune
The cavalcade set on their way, to bonnie Yetholm toon
The laddie sets off heading south, across auld Rennies bridge
Up Maxwellheugh, past proctors, towards the Softlaw ridge
Steadfast in his mind he knows, there’s something he must do
Making for the border line, to win the bonnet blue
For seven miles, past hill and styles, the horses make their way
The riders there, from all the airts, to join his special day
From Hawick, and Jethart, Gala, Selkirk, Duns and Coldstream too
They’re here to help him on his way, to win the bonnet blue
For a young man of auld Kelso town, he’s never been so proud
To lead the Yetholm ride one day, he’d hoped he’d be allowed
With young and old, and ex-laddies bold, across the fields the flew
Heading for the border line, to win the bonnet blue
Up Graden moor, the horses stoor, the riders earn their spurs
The hooves are flying, the wildlife crying, the sheep and cattle stirs
They’re getting near, they can hear the cheer, with vigour borne anew
He’s getting near the border now, to win his bonnet blue
The horses come down Venchen hill, to meet a joyful scene
The crowd all there, to join the fair, upon Kirk Yetholm green
The challenge met, with toil and sweat, from a boy a man has grew
And he’s made it to the border line, and he’s won his bonnet blue