The birken tree

I went for a walk with Mummy and Daddy today and we passed a plaque erected in honour of Robert Tannahill. Robert Tannahill was a Scottish poet, known as the 'Weaver Poet', and his music and poetry dates to the same period as that of Robert Burns. I particularly liked the birken (birch) tree that had been planted beside it ... it had really bendy branches!


"Keen blaws the wind o'er the Braes o' Gleniffer.
The auld castle's turrets are cover'd wi' snaw;
How chang'd frae the time when I met wi' my lover
Amang the broom bushes by Stanley green shaw:
The wild flow'rs o' simmer were spread a' sae bonnie,
The mavis sang sweet frae the green birken tree:
But far to the camp they hae march'd my dear Johnnie,
And now it is winter wi' nature and me."

(Robert Tannahill - from The Braes o' Gleniffer)