St. Andrew's Day - A Toast.

    Wha cares if skies be dull and gray?
    Wha heeds November weather?
    Let ilka Scot be glad to-day
    The whole wide warl' thegither.

    We're a' a prood and stubborn lot,
    And clannish - sae fowk name us -
    Ay, but with sic guid cause none ought
    Tae judge us, or tae blame us,

    For joys that are we'll pledge to-day
    A land baith fair and glowing -
    Here's tae the hames o' Canada,
    Wi' luve and peace o'erflowing!

    For joys that were, for auld lang syne,
    For tender chords that bind us,
    A toast - your hand, auld friend, in mine -
    "The land we left behind us!"

    Ho, lowlanders! Ho, hielandmen!
    We'll toast her a' thegither,
    Here's tae each bonnie loch and glen!
    Here's tae her hills and heather!

    Here's tae the auld hame far away!
    While tender mists do blind us,
    We'll pledge on this, St. Andrew's day,
    "The land we left behind us!"

Jean Blewett

Jean Blewett was a Canadian author, journalist, and poet. Born in Scotia, Ontario, she became well-known for her poetry and was awarded the part of lyrical poet at the World’s Fair in Chicago, 1893. Her notable works were often published in literary magazines. Besides poetry, Blewett also wrote stories and worked as a journalist, gaining considerable respect in both fields. She passed away in Chatham, Ontario, in 1934. Her legacy remains a significant part of Canadian literary history.

Jean Blewett

Archibald Lampman.

Jean Blewett, Simple Poetry

The Ploughman.

Jean Blewett, Simple Poetry

The Firstborn.

Jean Blewett, Simple Poetry

The King's Gift.

Jean Blewett, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Lines Read At St. Andrew's Anniversary, 1868.

        Scotia's sons to-night we meet thee,
        With kindly feelings we do greet thee,
        In honor of the land of heather,
        Around this board to-night we gather.

        Land where the fields for border edges,
        Have garlands of blooming hedges,
        Land of the whin and of the broom
        And where the bonnie blue bells bloom.

        Land where you may enraptured hark
        To heavenly song of the skylark,
        Which soars triumphant in the skies
        Above the gaze of human eyes.

        Land of bleak hills and fertile dales,
        Where they tell oft their fairy tales,
        Land where the folks do love the kirk
        And on the Sabbath cease from work.

        Land of porridge and of brose,...

James McIntyre

Christy And The Pipers.

    'Twas a score of years since I'd heard the pipes,
    But the other night I heard them;
    There are sweet old memories in my heart,
    And the music woke and stirred them.

    In the armories, at the big parade
    The highland regiment was giving,
    A half-dozen pipers piping away -
    Ah! 'twas music, as sure as your living.

    Donald's lowland, he shook his head at me,
    And glowered with every feature,
    And a pretty young lassie just behind
    Said: "Oh, what a funny old creature!"

    But the skirl o' the pipes got in my ears,
    In my eyes, and made them misty;
    I laughed and I cried, and Donald said low:
    "Dinna act so daft, noo, Christy!"

    "Do ye no see the elder sitting there?
    Dinna act sae d...

Jean Blewett

St. Andrew.

Read at Anniversary.


        Our ancient custom to renew,
        We meet to honor St. Andrew,
        He was of the Jewish nation,
        A fisherman by occupation;
        No warlike knight with lance and sword
        But humbly following his Lord;
        And Scotia she justly claims
        Her soil contains his last remains,
        In early times the Pilgrims drew
        Into the shrine of St. Andrew,
        For miracles it gained renown,
        And thence sprang up St. Andrew's town;
        Now clansmen twine round maple leaf,
        When rallying at the call of chief,
        And time will come when we'll be one,
        And proud of name Canadian,
        But Scotia must not be forgot
        For sake of Chalmers, Burns an...

James McIntyre

The Author's Earnest Cry And Prayer To The Scotch Representatives In The House Of Commons.

    'Dearest of distillation! last and best!----
    ------How art thou lost!--------'

Parody On Milton


    Ye Irish lords, ye knights an' squires,
    Wha represent our brughs an' shires,
    An' doucely manage our affairs
        In Parliament,
    To you a simple Bardie's prayers
        Are humbly sent.

    Alas! my roupet Muse is hearse!
    Your honours' hearts wi' grief 'twad pierce,
    To see her sittin' on her a--e
        Low i' the dust,
    An' scriechin' out prosaic verse,
        An' like to brust!

    Tell them wha hae the chief direction,
    Scotland an' me's in great affliction,
    E'er sin' they laid that curst restriction
        On aqua-vitæ;
    An' rouse them up to strong conviction,
  ...

Robert Burns

Auld Lang Syne.

I.

    Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
        And never brought to min'?
    Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
        And days o' lang syne?
            For auld lang syne, my dear,
                For auld lang syne,
            We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
                For auld lang syne!

II.

    We twa hae run about the braes,
        And pu't the gowans fine;
    But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,
        Sin' auld lang syne.

III.

    We twa hae paidl't i' the burn,
        Frae mornin' sun till dine:
    But seas between us braid hae roar'd,
        Sin' auld lang syne.

IV.

    And here's a hand, my trusty fiere,
        And gie's a hand o' thine;
    And we'll take ...

Robert Burns

Here's A Health.

Tune - "Here's a health to them that's awa."


I.

    Here's a health to them that's awa,
    Here's a health to them that's awa;
    And wha winna wish guid luck to our cause,
    May never guid luck be their fa'!
    It's guid to be merry and wise,
    It's guid to be honest and true,
    It's good to support Caldonia's cause,
    And bide by the buff and the blue.

II.

    Here's a health to them that's awa,
    Here's a health to them that's awa,
    Here's a health to Charlie the chief of the clan,
    Altho' that his band be sma'.
    May liberty meet wi' success!
    May prudence protect her frae evil!
    May tyrants and tyranny tine in the mist,
    And wander their way to the devil!

III.

Robert Burns