MUSINGS BY THE SEASIDE
One night at the gloaming, on Ayr esplanade,
When at the Low Green, the Burgh Band played,
I suddenly started tae ponder and think
If my scattered ideas together would clink.
I thought if our statesmen were really sincere,
And would give us the veto to prohibit the beer;
If they’d keep to their word and their promise fulfill,
We’d astonish our friends with a new Liquor Bill.
I thought if Carnegie the famed millionaire,
With all his poor friends his fortune would share,
And give to each one a cheque for ten pounds,
He’d drive from our midst dread Poverty’s frown.
I thought if the wealthy contented would be,
Sweet, smiling faces we always would see;
If the lamb and the lion together would sleep,
The eleventh commandment would be easy to keep.
I thought if trade struggles were things of the past,
If preventives for them were discovered at last,
And everyman’s wage was not less than ten pound,
Starvation on earth would no longer be found.
I thought if some people would listen to reason,
And their action in life did ne’er become treason,
The African war would speedily cease,
And the Boer and the Briton live happy in peace.
