For Private William Middleton, Gellan, Coull

I'm telt ye threw yer watch
Ootower the kirk. The hinmaist
Thing ye did on the wye tae war.
Prood o yon time-piece,
Feart it wad be bladdit.

Did it stop fin it struck the grun?
Yer first watch, Willie, an yer last;
Flung frae ye like yer bairnhood,
In the drapt fit o the mairch past.

Fairm-sodjer-bairn,
In the ower-big uniform
(Onythin' dis tae dee in)
Someither-body merriet yer quine,
As the war tae en' as wars
Gaed mairchin ooto mine,
Wi nae hugger-muggery;
The loon fa tint his watch,
Wis blawn tae buggery.