The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 87
Adieu to Otago
Adieu to Otago.
Air: Burns' Farewell."
Adieu! a heart-warm fond adieu,
Otago, where I've reigned sae lang;
Ma frions, ver healths, I drink tae you
(This grog's I think ow're muckle strang.)
Though I tae Wellington maun hie,
At duty's post I'll staun' or fa',
Your Mac shall ken the reason why,
Ere abolition is the law.
Oft hae I met your bletherin' band
In Council Ha' on winter nichts,
An' honored wi' supreme command,
I listened tae your noisy fechts.
Oh, Rabbie, frien, I trust in you,
An' De Latour, jist gie's yer paw,
We'll stick thegither, staunch an' true,
Ere Abolition is the law.
They'd daur to rob us o' oor ain,
But, by ma faith, it winna wash
(Jist pass the whiskey tae McLean,
V. P. takes soda an' a dash);
I've Burns an' Seaton at ma back
(Though Jemmy is a wee bit raw),
An' Shrimski, tae, will fecht wi' Mac,
Ere Abolition is the law.
Ma conscience I it's a black disgrace
Tae think that I, your Super, should
Be thrust at ance frac power an' place
(Pass up the grog to Joyce an' Wood);
Though Larnach smirks, an' Horace smile s,
Ma faithfu' friens we'll find a flaw
In Vogel's mail, despite his wiles,
Ere Abolition is the law.
As Rabbie Burns sang "noo's the day,"
I speak tae ye like Wallace wight,
Be ready for the comin' fray
(Here Manders, drink, ye're no sae tight).
Wee Tuapeka Broon is leal,
An' Shrimski loud his horn will blaw.
Wi' Thomson here—that canny chiel—
Ere Abolition is the law.