Guid Willie Gibson
(original anonymous lyrics 1863, music Fidycat 2010)
I'm gaun tae sit doon, an' tho' I'm no affy guid at it
pour out ma heart tae him that's aboon
for let blessins fa' on the guid Willie Gibson
wha's gien sic a gift at the fit o the toun
Sae aft's I hae ran tae the Boulsie Hill wallie
an waitin my turn, I was aye late at noon
An fan I cam back there was naethin' but hurry
but there's nae hinder noo at the fit o the toun
guitar....
The wives a aroun me, I'm sure they will join me
for blessins on him wha's gien us the boon
Far it's a'ways oor crackfan fan we're fillin ooor buckets
the guid that he's dune at the fit o the toun....
I'm gaun tae sit doon an tho' I'm no affy guid at it
pour out ma heart tae him that's aboon
for let blessins fa' onr the guid Willie Gibson
fur gien sic as gift at the fit o the toun....
Arbroath until 1863 had no public water supply, but that year Mr William Gibson gifted such a utility to the burgh. One anonymous lady at
the Fit O The Toun expressed her gratitude in these untitled lines. She doesn't mention her benefactor by name - the original verse
1, line 3 reads
' for blessins on him that I winna mention '.