THE TWIN McLAYS.

There are twin lads that I ken weel,

Whas likeness wad deceive the deil,

If they should dress frae heid to heel

                In equal claes,

For sicna guise would ne’er reveal

                       The twin McLays.

Nae doot they’re awfu’ like each ither;

When ye get them baith thegither

Ye canna tell the ane frae t’ither

Though hours you’d gaze;

You’d simply say, “Will like his brither

       In every phase.”

But “which ane’s Will?” ye’re sure to ask,

To answer that wad be a task,

For their identity’s a mask

      To you an’ me;

An’ when you speer they simply bask

      In mirth and glee.

And when the Great War’s deadly cloud

Crept ower the warl, a burial shroud

Wha voiced patriotism loud

      And did their bit?

The twin McLays! Nae doot quite proud

     They were sae fit.

In Flander’s field they showed their mettle,

The fiery Hun they helped to settle,

Their eager charge—nae steamin’ kettle—

            Telt in the fray,

‘Gainst sic a foe they felt in fettle,

           And won the day.

The foemen’s bullets laid them low,

Yet sigh o’ pain they wadna show,

Their hearts wi’ gladness were aglow

          For victory won;

That day they dealt a mighty blow

     Against the Hun.

And when the cruel war was o’er,

And things appearin’ as before,

The twin McLays came back once more

       To hame o’ rest;

Their limbs were torn, maimed and sore—

           They’d gi’en their best.

An; noo to tell the ane frae t’ither,

You’d hardly need to be their brither,

Ye dinna need to look an; swither,

          Nor questions beg;

Will’s hand, a glove is there to cover—

               Bandaged Rab’s leg.

And yet we’re glad misfortune’s fate

Hasna owerta’en them wi’ it’s bait,

And let us hope, at nae fair date,

       They will recover;

Welcome the day we canna state

        Will frae his brither.

                                             Alfred Sealey Shotts.

                                         Ref. Hamilton Advertiser. 17/5/1924, Page 2.

Wilma Bolton 2005.


Adam Watson cpl Miller Helen Gavin James Gunn Janis Steel Local figures Miss Isa Arthur Morton Gilfillan
Sammy Lee THE TWIN McLAYS William Morton

Janis Steel  Helen Gavin  William Morton  cpl Miller   JAMES MILROY  Adam Watson  Miss Isa Arthur
Sammy Lee  Morton Gilfillan  James Gunn  THE TWIN McLAYS