FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

Our group of writers, brave and bold,

Approached the gloomy Boyd stronghold.

These castle walls of hard sandstone,

The English armies left alone.

Edward's defeat at Bannockburn

Gave  Boyds' fortunes welcome turn.

Our grateful king, Robert the Bruce,

Gave Boyd Kilmarnock lands to use.

So far, so good  :  but even then

These lands were not devoid of men.

Where castle and park grounds now lie,

Were homes for such as you and I.

But we could never own the land.

Our clay-built houses, cold and damp,

Would be pulled down around our ears

If feudal Lord found rent arrears.

History, within great castle walls,

Destruction caused by cannon balls

Yet nothing known of common man,

Of those like you and I, the damned.

So if your Lord comes, once again,

To ask if you will fight for him

It's all to keep his wealth secure,

Refuse - and stay alive though poor