Bonny Warksburn (John Buglass)

Oh Bonny Warksburn what changes I’ve seen,
These last fifty years in which I have been,
Not an old face is left all strangers to me,
Yet you run your same course on your way to the sea.

Away on the skyline on the hills to the West.
Seen the sun go down like a red robins breast,
Watched it set behind streamers a sure sign to be,
Warksburn would soon fill on its way to the sea.

From Blackaburn to the Haining right out to The Green,
On these grassy fells some grand flocks I’ve seen,
Now a thing of the past nought but tree after tree,
Yet you flow through these forests on your way to the sea.

Many a fox from his lair has risen of yon moss,
With the hounds at his brush where no rider dare cross,
The sheep would all scatter a good guide to be,
As he swung for Warksburn as it flowed to the sea.

The Curlews and Peewits were flying on high,
The Skylarks were singing on the hills far out bye,
The herds with their collies were out in great glee,
As they headed for Warksburn as it flowed to the sea.

On its banks has been built a village up to date,
An outstanding model of the modern state,
Yet the morning mist rises and hangs over thee,
As it follows your course on your way to the sea.

But time marches on soon I’ll see you no more,
Must join my old friends that have gone on before,
There will be many changes, changes I’ll never see,
But you’ll run on forever on your way to the sea.