Hawick in the Scottish Borders

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The Bonnie Banner Blue

With special thanks to Alan Brydon and Iain Scott for allowing teribus.com to be the first website to display the lyrics and play the music to one of the newest and finest Common Riding songs written.

This song is available on the Brand New Callants Club CD available from the Hawick Callants Club.

The Bonnie Banner Blue

As the morning sun crests Ruberslaw tae dawn the breaking day,
And a summer breeze floats ower the valley side tae lift the mist away;
There’s an echo frae the past o’ bonnie Teviotdale oo’ll ever cherish dear,
And its carried ower oor Borderland each Common Riding year.

It’s royal blue
Wi’ gold running through,
The pride o’ Hawick callants sae gallant and true;
Ev’ry honest Teri hert is ever loyal to
The Bonnie Banner Blue.

As the fall of Flodden echoed roond wi’ mony a widow’s wail,
When the raiders came oor callants stood in defence o’ Teviotdale;
They were only local laddies held frae Flodden Field, a toonsfolk tae defend,
Yet wi’ stalwart herts they captured the flag and rode back hame as men.

At the formal Colour Bussing by a bonnie Cornet’s Lass,
All eyes are on oor Cornet as the Provost states the task;
‘This sacred cloth in glorious defence o’ Hawick oor callants bravely gained;
Lift it high wi’ pride and return tae me unsullied and unstained.’

Oor Cornet rides wi’ Border pride tae mark oor Common clear,
And hei carries ev’ry Teri hert and is lifted by their cheers;
Oor ancient fine traditions he has soondly held, oor customs tae the fore,
As he lifts Hawick’s famous banner, independence evermore.

© Alan G. Brydon