CATRINE MILLS

THE BIG MULL GATE

When jist a wee bit callan, in childhood’s happy days,
I watched an’ wunnered often, while waitin’ oot at play,
To see the mill-folk passin’, in croods, baith sune an’ late,
Or smoke an’ crack at leisure beside the big mill gate.
The big mill gate, the big mill gate

Wi’ cantle wit, what pawkie jokes, the cronies wad relate;
Blythe hearts an’ young turn auld anes, the auld nid-nod to fate,
But memory think o’ moments sweet aroon the big mill gate.
There youth wi’ fancy daffin’ whan simmer days were fair,
Wi’ lips an’ een a’ laughin’ and ithers fashed wi’ care;
The lads sae douce an’ hamely, the lasses braw an’ nate,
Gaed trystin’ aft at sunset doon by the big mill gate.
The big mill gate, the big mill gate

Wi’ guid folks steppin’ oot an’ in, baith merry an’ sedate,
The laddies a’ come rinnin’, ilk lassie wi’ her mate;
Blythe youth an’age gaed hand in hand through the big mill gate.
The years keep wearin’ on, an’ gowden locks turn grey,
But aye the happy thocht o’t cheers money a drumlie day;
Whan the time-bell starts a-ringin’ the moments dinna wait,
For workers a’ maun rally inside the big mill gate.
The big mill gate, the big mill gate

There’s a bright wee licht inside o’t a’ nicht whan a thing’s quate,
Like a sang that haunts  oor dreamin’ aflicht whan we awake,
The auld time bell’s a’ringin’ abune the big mill gate.


Catrine, ANON