The Auld Railway Brig

Auld brig, I'm wae to see your plight,
That's done your work sae lang and weel;
Ye ill deserve sae sair a slight
Replaced by yin that's mair genteel.

Ye've never been o' second grade
But built o' honest stane and lime,
Your foond's been true and firmly laid
That's nobly stood the test o' time.

But like the aged human frame,
Though still imbued wi' strength and grit,
The fate allotted---yes the same,
That's sound at heart and brawly fit.

For a' things maun be modern noo,
And a' things auld aside are flung;
Even brigs maun a' be swank and new,
And workin' folk maun a' be young.

In early days o' your career,
The folk could safely use the roads,
And cross ye without risk or fear
O' motors wi' their heavy loads.

But times hae changed for man and brig,
And goods taen ower the railway track
In motor waggons, strong and big
Gae rumblin' ower yer sturdy back.

Your patient vigil, dreich and drear,
Wi' midnight trains unearthly din,
But still ye aye got blinks o' cheer,
And winked at what ye heard abune.

For in the shades o' eventide
Ye've heard the spoonin' pairs gae by,
Or linger by your auld gray side
To steal a-something on the sly.

And mony a noisy oor's been spent
Wi' tongue and temper sharp on edge,
In keen debate and argument
Wi' elbows leanin' ower your edge.

And mony a yin ye maun ha'e seen,
Take bearin's at the gaswork turn,
To hail ye as a guiding freen
For Scoolerha' and Hurley burn.

But maybe through the sculptor's art,
Disguised and chiselled smooth and braw,
Your choisest stanes may deck a part
O' some fine ornamental wa'.

But scrap that's o' the human kind
Need look for nae sic grand event,
Their clouds are no' sae silver lined
As bring them luck o' that extent.

But though anither's in your place
And planted where ye lang did sit,
Nae blush need dye yer reekie face
That lang sae ably did yer bit.

O' brigs and men, it's truly said,
That nature weilds unerring sway,
In few short years their game is played
When age mak's but a poor display.