Soliloquy by Auld Simon's Clock

I’m wae tae speak aboot mysel’,

But shame mak's me my story tell,

And mak’s my inward feelings swell

Wi' fair disgrace,

And strike perhaps my dying knell

Even in this place.

I occupy a place o' honour,

I'm usefu' tho’—ye needna wonner;

I'm look’d up tae by every comer

Within the toon,

Baith when in haste or when they dauner

The Main street doon.

Wi’ stories I could fill book,

Wi’ what I've seen baith in and oot;

For, far and wide, a’ airts I look,

Wi’ open face,

Scan hill and dale and every nook

Aboot the place.

Fu’ aft I’ve seen a bonnie wean,

For baptism, by mother ta’en

Tae kirk, and carried oot again

Wi’ step sae fleet,

Its mother’s face tanld me quite plain

It didna greet.

When evening shadows saftly fell,

I’ve seen fond lovers aften tell

The thoughts that made their bosoms swell

Wl’ rapture keen,

While silvery moonbeams lit each dell

O’ verdure green.

I’ve seen a happy youthfu’ pair,

When man and wife, tae kirk repair,

And folks around them look and stare

Tae see the braws,

And mak’ remarks—they didna care

For sic gee-gaws.

Again, I’ve felt my heart quite fu’

Tae see, sae sad, the streets gang through,

A lang procession, two and two,

Wi’ solemn tread,

And lay some friend and neebor true

Amang the dead.

O’ public matters not a few

I could glance over and review,

But noo ye’ll think ye’ve had enew

O’ my reflections,

Sae I’ll stop short, although I’m fu'

O' the elections.

But tae the point, as parsons say,

I feel I’ve scarcely had fair play

Frae those whas’ duty ‘t!s tae pay

Tae keep me clean,

‘Twad cost but little, —the delay,

It cuts me keen.

Just gl’e a keek, as ye gang past,

Up tae my face, that tae the wast

Aye looks, and every stormy blast

O’ win’ and rain

Has blurred the figures,—very fast

They’ll a’ be gaen.

I hope, noo when I’ve tauld my tale,

And made this surely heartfelt wail,

My kind protectors will not fail

Tae put me richt,

I’ll keep the time, true tae the Rail,

Baith day and nicht.