The Fish Lyrics

The Laird John Clerk wis a belted knight

His keeper cam frae Penicuik

My brother wis just a fisherman

Frae Northfield farm in Edinbra

The Laird John Clerk held a fine estate

Bonnie fields and bright waters

His deer and game were sae widely famed

The talk o' a' the poachers

His keeper was a canny man

Guid guardian fir his masters'

On the salmon run wi his dog and gun

A dei'l fir the slaughter

My brother Keith wis a gallous lad

And dearly loved the poaching

Wi his rod and reel he gang aft to steal

A fish frae Clerkie's waters

In the deep o night, in pale moonlight

My brother watched the waters

Oe'r the croaking frogs came the bark o dogs

And the keeper there behind them

It's under moon and ower muir

Frae Northfield farm tae Penicuik

Wi his belt and knife he'd tae run fir his life

To dodge auld Clerkie's keeper
Craig Herbertson - The Fish - http://motolyrics.com/craig-herbertson/the-fish-lyrics.html
A' through the night he ran and hid

But the keeper could'na catch him

And he lost his gear by the ruined weir

His rod an a' his tackle

But in the light he saw a fish

A salmon in low water

Wi nae rod and reel just a guddlers feel

He threw her frae the water

And it's ower hills and far awa

Frae Penicuik through Duddingston

Wi a heart so blithe fir tae run fir his life

To dodge auld Clerkie's keeper

The lady Nairn had a canny cook

A chancer for a bargain

And he boucht the fish for auld Clerkie's dish

And nane tae be the wiser

Auld John Clerk, he got his fish

His keeper got the tackle

The cook got mair than a gillie's share

But my brother got the better

Rod and reel, field and stream

Mair midges ower the water

Let others seek where the salmon leap

My brother wis a fisherman