The late Bobby Rogerson’s story of his childhood in New Cumnock.
Blawearie
Bobby Rogerson mentions the ruin of the farm known as Blawearie near New Cumnock. I first heard the name when I was obliged to read Lewis Grassic Gribbon’s ‘Sunset Song’ which became a required text for ‘Higher’ English. There are several Blawearie’s in Scotland and I have just discovered there is also a song of that name by a group from the borders called Scocha.
The Hill Abin Blawearie
A’d bide a day bit niver stay,
Ower mony times tae mention.
And maybees A’ neglecteed you,
Which wasnae ma intention.
Though oo’ve been apairt a while again,
Though oo’r gei tei’rd n’ teary,
What’s ne’er been lost can aye be fund,
On the hill abin Blawearie.
Now a’m no yin for floory talk,
Or prone ti airs n’ graces.
A’ll no pretend ti suffer fools,
A’ say it ti their faces.
But when it comes ti lovin’ you,
There’s ne’er a soul mair cheery.
Words dinna maiter ony mair
On the hill abin Blawearie.
Oo’ve traivelled fer in mony wei’s,
Hed oor saiprait journies.
N’ though they seemed the wei ti gaun,
Whiles a’ hink they wurnae.
For a’ the roads thit oo’ve been doon,
A’ hev anither theory –
However long they aw lead tae,
The hill abin Blawearie.
So take us ti the higher grund
On the hill abin Blawearie.
It’s heaven’s gate wi’ heather crooned,
The hill abin Blawearie.
In a’ the wurld there’s ne’er a place,
For mei ti feel sae near ee.
Ever mair ti yow a’m bound,
On the hill abin Blawearie.
The Site of Blawearie Farm
