Ye Sons of Old Killie
Original
Ye Sons of Old Killie
Ye sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie,
To follow the noble vocation;
Your thrifty old mother has scarce such another
To sit in that honoured station.
I’ve little to say, but only to pray,
As praying’s the ton of your fashion;
A prayer from thee Muse you well may excuse
‘Tis seldom her favourite passion.
Ye powers who preside o’er the wind, and the tide,
Who mark’d each element’s border;
Who formed this frame with beneficent aim,
Whose sovereign statute is order:
Within this dear mansion, may wayward Contention
Or wither’d Envy ne’er enter;
May secrecy round be the mystical bound,
And brotherly Love be the centre!
Modern English
Ye Sons of Old Killie
You sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie,
To follow the noble vocation;
Your thrifty old mother has scarce such another
To sit in that honored station.
I’ve little to say, but only to pray,
As praying’s the fashion of your ton;
A prayer from the Muse you well may excuse
‘Tis seldom her favorite passion.
You powers who preside over the wind and the tide,
Who marked each element’s border;
Who formed this frame with benevolent aim,
Whose sovereign statute is order:
Within this dear mansion, may wayward Contention
Or withered Envy never enter;
May secrecy round be the mystical bound,
And brotherly Love be the center!