Robert Burns


Does Haughty Gaul


Does haughty Gaul invasion threat?
  	Then let the loons beware, Sir,
There’s wooden walls upon our seas,
  	And volunteers on shore, Sir.
The Nith shall run to Corsincon,
  	And Criffel sink in Solway,
Ere we permit a foreign foe
  	On British ground to rally!

O let us not like snarling tykes
  	In wrangling be divided,
Till, slap! come in an unco loon
  	And wi’ a rung decide it.
Be Britain still to Britain true,
  	Amang oursels united;
For never but by British hands
  	Maun British wrangs be righted!

The kettle o’ the kirk and state,
  	Perhaps a clout may fail in’t;
But deil a foreign tinkler loon
  	Shall ever ca’ a nail in’t
Our father’s blude the kettle bought,
  	An’ wha wad dare to spoil it?
By heavens! the sacrilegious dog
  	Shall fuel be to boil it!

The wretch that would a tyrant own,
  	And the wretch, his true-born brother.
Who’d set the mob aboon the throne, –
  	May they be damned together!
Who will not sing God save the King!
  	Shall hang as high’s the steeple;
But while we sing God save the King!
  	We’ll not forget the people!

1795




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