THE RULING PASSION.
Of a' the colliers in Coatbrig There ne'er were ony, auld or young, Deaf, dumb, or cripple, wee or big, Could haud a licht to Jock Kiltongue. So wild a man to drink and swear Doon to this earth was never sent, And should a mortal interfere, A " bet" would clinch the argument. Great in athletics was his skillHe challenged ilk ane i' the toon To rin him for a quart o' yill, . Or wrestle him for hauf-a-croon. Ac day he took an unco fit, And neither houk nor draw could he And when they brocht him f rae the pit Ihe bodies thocht that Jock wad dee. Quick to the manse a neighbour ran To bring the priest wi' sable coat. And doon he hurried, decent man ! Wi' a' his starch aboot his throat ! Said he, as by the bed he stood, "John, 'tis in vain with you I've striven, JSow, I implore you to be good— Repent, and you shall go to heaven.'! " And what will I do there?' quo' he. Unterrified by a' his sins, " Will I a common collier be. Habblin* wi' hutches, picks, and pins T f i " n °! when you to heaven are gone 1 You'll bid adieu to earthly things ; There you will be an angel, John, And fly about on airy wings." Quo* Jock, " Will ye be there an' a' And flee wi' wings, as weel as me ?' Yes ; freed from sin and from the law, An angel there I hope to.be." " Then when I'm sailin' through tU W And high aboon the wart' hoverifa', - If I should chance to meet ye there, 1 By Jove! Mflte ye for a sovereign!"
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18770310.2.42.1
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 19
Word Count
282THE RULING PASSION. Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 19
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