Poem by Christian Milne

To the Ship-Carpenters of Footdee

MY Lads of Oak, pray why so soon
Tir'd out with doing well?
Don't drop your pikes, but persevere,
Be ardent to excel:
Nor think your manual feats to learn
By transient awkward trips;
Yet sure it is a lighter task,
Than building hardy ships.
For, should your country's foes invade,
Pray who would fight for you,
Who will not learn to fight yourselves,
And do as others do?
See all your countrymen in arms,
Cockades and scarlet coats;
Support your country's ancient fame,
Prove fearless, loyal Scots.
Your hardy hands raise vessels tall,
From shapeless planks and logs,
And could with ease drive home the French
To eat their soup of frogs.
Make haste to learn to face and wheel,
Acquire a soldier's air;
You'll find one service in't at least,
'Twill please your fav'rite fair!
To serve in arms, shew as much joy
As in your building docks;
Join heart and hand, and strength to strength,
Be one of Britain's rocks.
Our Wooden Walls and Armed Bands
Make distant foes afraid;
When Fame informs them of our force,
They'll tremble to invade.
Old Scotia's records hand to us
Her sons' bright fame of old;
Let not one coward act disgrace
The name of fathers bold.

1. Song 7 (Cool evening invites--let us stray)
2. Written on the Morning of the Communion Sabbath
3. When in Dread of My Husband’s Safety at Sea
4. Written in Early Spring, 1795
5. Song 1 (Now Winter is o'er, and sweet Spring is returning)

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