The Book of Scottish Song/Kail brose of Old Scotland

Kail brose of Old Scotland.

[Written, according to Mr. Peter Buchan, by Alex. Watson, merchant tailor in Aberdeen, and at one time deacon of the incorporated trades there. It was composed sometime during the American war of independence.]

When our ancient forefathers agreed wi' the laird,
For a spot o' good ground for to be a kail-yard,
It was to the brose that they had the regard;
⁠O! the kail brose of auld Scotland;
⁠And O! for the Scottish kail brose.

When Fergus, the first of our kings I suppose,
At the head of his nobles had vanquish'd his foes,
Before they began they had dined upon brose.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

Then our sodgers were drest in their kilts paid short hose,
With bonnet and belt which their dress did compose,
With a bag of oatmeal on their back to make brose.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

In our free early ages a Scotsman could dine
Without English roast beef, or famous French wine,
Kail brose, if weel made, he always thought fine.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

At our annual election of bailies or mayor,
Nae kickshaws or puddings or tarts were seen there,
A dish of kail brose was the favourite fare.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

It has been our favourite dish all along,
It our ladies makes beauties, our gentlemen strong,
When moderately used, it our life does prolong.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

While thus we can live, we dread no kind of foes —
Should any invade us, we'll twist up their nose,
And soon make them feel the true virtue of brose.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

Now State politicians new taxes propose,
Involving our country in numberless woes,
What a blessing it is! there's yet nane upon brose!
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

But aye since the thistle was joined to the rose,
And Englishmen no more accounted our foes,
We have lost a great part of our stomach for brose.
⁠O! the kail brose, &c.

But each true-hearted Scotsman, by nature jocose,
Can cheerfully dine on a dishful of brose,
And the grace be a wish to get plenty of those.
⁠O! the kail brose of auld Scotland.
⁠And O for the Scottish kail brose!

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