Poem by Alexander Smart

The Watch Dog

       AIR – “The British Grenadiers.”

Bow-wow-wow! it’s the muckle watch dog,
    	I ken by his honest bark;
Bow-wow-wow! says the muckle watch dog,
    	When he hears a foot in the dark.
No a breath can stir but he’s up wi’ a wirr!
    	And a big bow-wow gie’s he,
And wi’ tail on end, he’ll the house defend,
    	Mair siccar than lock or key.

When we sleep sound, he takes his round,
    	A sentry ower us a’,
Through the lang dark night till braid daylight,
    	He fleys the thieves awa’.
But through the hale day wi’ the bairns he’ll play,
    	And daff about in the sun;
On his back astride they may safely ride,
    	For weel does he lo’e their fun.

Wi’ a cogie fu’ to his gratefu’ mou’,
    	How he wags his trusty tail!
And weel does he like a bane to pike,
    	Or a lick o’ the lithey kail.
By a’ he’s kenn’d as a faithfu’ friend,
    	Nae flattering tongue has he,
And we a’ may learn frae the muckle watch dog
    	Baith faithfu’ and fond to be.

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