THE WHINNEY KNOWES

For it's the lass that I lo'e best of a', she was handsome, young and fair.
Wi' her I spent some merry nights alang the banks of Ayr.
Wi' her I spent some merry nights whaur yon wee burnie rowes
Whaur the echo mocks the corncrake amang the whinney knowes.

We loved each other dearly, disputes we seldom had,
As constant as the pendulum, our hearts beat always glad,
We sought wir joys and found it whaur yon wee burnie rowes
Whaur the echo mocks the corncrake amang the whinney knowes.

Ye maidens fair and pleasure dames drive to the banks o' Doon,
Ye'll dearly pay for everything to barbers in the toon,
But rural joys is free to all whaur scented clover growes
Whaur the echo mocks the corncrake amang the whinney knowes.

The corncrake is noo awa and the burn is to the brim,
The whinney knowes are clad wi' snaw, it tips the highest whin,
But winter days will wear awa an' summer clears the skies
We shall welcome back the corncrake, the bird of rural joys.


From the singing of Jimmy MacBeath on EUFSS tape.