BOTH SIDES THE TWEED

( Words trad, amended by Dick Gaughan / Music : Dick Gaughan )

What's the spring-breathing jasmine and rose?
What's the summer with all its gay train
What's the splendour of autumn to those
Who've bartered their freedom for gain?

Let the love of our land's sacred right
To the love of our people succeed
Let friendship and honour unite
And flourish on both sides the Tweed.

No sweetness the senses can cheer
Which corruption and bribery bind
No brightness that gloom can e'er clear
For honour's the sum of the mind

Let virtue distinguish the brave
Place riches in lowest degree
Think them poorest who can be a slave
Them richest who dare to be free