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THE BATTLE O' OTTERBURN HALL
J Clendestine Beck 2003
It fell about November's end,
When graduate Agrics with their pay,
The doughty Chairman rode,
To Otterburn for a day:
Proud members one and all by his side,
The Featherstone and the licht had much to say;
But the jemmet wad not with him on this ride,
And he rues it to this day.
Now Otterbourne's a bonnie place;
'Tis pleasant there to be;
But there is nocht at Otterbourne,
To amuse my men and me:
Teachers, Social Workers and the licht
Twer fair game to the lads of the Societee;
Cart their cars to lake that nicht,
Went up the call frae the Secretaree!
Yet the servants of the Hall,
Didnae welcome this melee,
Beer in the piano, cigar smoke hung in palls;
Lamb frae the kitchens ta'en for free,
Tae feed the members one and all,
Left little enough fur brakefast an tea.
The canteen for tea we made our
way,
"Big Dick" the cry went up,
The crowded tables in awe did sway,
Much spluttering 'tween lip and cup;
His wife looked shocked and slipped away
"Big Dick" did strut around like a prize tup!
That famous nicht has some
memories tae tell,
Champagne twas supped by the yaird,
Dinner Jackets and suits frae the lake did smell,
Didnae mix weel wi displays o' card,
Fists were drawn - a ficht ensued;
Bang, wallop, crash and splinters o wood!
That was the Battle o' Otterburn
Hall,
Banished frae the place forever more,
Dear Kieth letters did nowt at all;
Our pilgrimage still made tae the lake shore,
But the Percy Arms and Tower no the Hall,
Travel the members with the Chairman tae the fore!
Devotees one and all take their
lead,
And do return annually to blaw,
Proud toggies on their heid;
The Laird Thriepland lets out a bellaw
When his sword swoops doon a gasp of dread
Lest the his aim decapitates the poor fellaw!
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