The Wee Saunie

Jan 28 2008 By Sandy Finnan

LARKHALL man Sandy Finnan writes this poem about his childhood days.

He said: “I was brought up in Birkenshaw and used the Braes as my playground, as did many others.

“These are some of my recollections of the 50s and 60s. I had a wonderful time ‘Doon the Braes’ ... even with my mother’s words ringing in my ears ‘Don’t you go doon thae Braes’”.

THE WEE SAUNIE

When ah wis wee, we used tae play doon at The Promised Land.
A wee beach doon bye the “rummly” that had a wee bit sand.
We ca’ed it The Wee Saunie, twas bye the Avon side
The only way tae get there, wis doon a great big slide.

Jist up the beach mibby fifty yairds, there sat the Wee Spring Wäll
Ah used tae go up there, wi thaem as ah wid ca’ ma pal.
Tae slake oor thirst oan a summer’s day, or mibby jist get cool
The water dreepit doon the rock, intae a mossy pool.

Then up the water anither bit, the irn cam oot in a rush
Spoutin’ oot an’ steamin’ hot mineral water in a gush.
We caed it The Big Saunie twas a name fae times gone bye
But my, for the life o' me ah jist couldnae unerstaun why?

Then up the water a bit again, we get tae the Maid o’ The Glen
Wha’ ca’ed it that the furst time we’ll ne’er e’er hear again.
Ma mither said it wis her playground when she lived up at The Toll
Where she an’ a’ ma aunties wid cavort like any newborn foal.

But back tae the Wee Saunie wis where ah used tae play
Ah’v no’ been back doon there for years an’ yisterday.
Memories I will retain, for years that’s yit tae come,
But someday, maybe, wi’ ma faimly I’m sure I will return.