Both Sides of the Tweed

Down in Coldstream to get the van serviced on a beautiful autumn day. Sitting in the park looking over the Tweed put me in mind of my favourite Dick Gaughan song. Wonderful and underrated Scottish folk singer who I first saw giving a wonderful concert during the miners strike.

Both sides the Tweed

What's the spring breathing jasmine and rose
What's the summer with all its gay train
What's the splendour of autumn to those
Who've bartered their freedom for gain.
(chorus)
Let the love of our land's sacred rights
To the love of our people succeed
Let friendship and honour unite
And flourish on both sides the Tweed.
No sweetness the senses can cheer
Which corruption and bribery bind
No brightness the sun can e'er clear
For honour's the sum of the mind.
(repeat chorus)
Let virtue distinguish the brave
Place riches in lowest degree
Think them poorest who can be a slave
Them richest who dare to be free.
(repeat chorus)