Song for Willy
by Janet Kenny
Here’s a song for Willy Main,
wee wharfie dad of a painter friend.
Drambuie ran in every vein
and his heart was full of Handel.
Five feet tall and fierce of eye
he shook the old land from his feet
and shipped himself to the southern seas
and loaded ships in Wellington.
The rights of workers fired his speech.
His Lancashire lass and adopted son
were all his Scottish soul required.
High from his wooden house he gazed
across the windy harbour while
Kathleen Ferrier sang his faith
as he sipped the golden drop of home.
Here’s to ye Willy you steadfast man,
your mighty spirit taught me then
that greatness is bestowed on some
unseen by our historians.
So here’s a song for Willy Main,
wee wharfie dad of a painter friend.
Drambuie ran in every vein
and his heart was full of Handel.
