Burns Night Poem by Margaret Steel

Poem by Margaret Steel at the
AKHONYA TRUST BURNS SUPPER – for Jock Tamsons Weans

 The below poem was written in the Scottish language by Margaret Steel for the Burns Supper

Oh Kenya with your earth so red
And the lives who died upon your bed
Your beauty to all will now unfold
Of the lives of those which now are told
The dust that rises from your land is worked and tealed by the farmers hand

Their toyle seems endless their benefits few
Yet they rise each day with sprits anew
As they trundle aroon on wearisome feet
Ne’re finding a single bite tae eat
Sugar cane seems free to all
Yet it’s no the farmer who gains from the spoil
Only the refinery that change it from raw
Receive the benefits abin them awe

Your sky at night all should see
And the animals so precious who still roam free
Run free from the poachers who take them for meat
Leaving pare wee elephants to grieve and greet

Yet there are men who have saved them from death who nurture and feed them until they are strong
Then they release them to the land they belong
Your Governments greed is evident to awe
Yet you’re determined to stand no fa’

Weans carry weans upon their hips
And smiles are never far from their lips
The loyalty and care shown tae each ither
Often compensates for lack o’ a mither

The Weans rapturous welcome the strength in their sang
Pits your life in perspective to change right fi wrang
Just to see yir wee faces fu oh smiles
Was worth the journey o’ thousands o’ miles

Akhyona folks we are the night
To support your work of ithers plight
Kenya’s weans whom you’ve broken free from disease, destruction and hunger
Hold yer heed up high nae man will pit yi under

Tae think yir cause started owr a wee cup o’ tea
And yir mother’s efforts tae help yae set free
A wean who was clever but couldnae walk
From the money she raised and sent tae her son meant he could certainly walk his talk

Be sure now and always that what you do
Will bring knowledge and freedom to many a few
Jock Tamsins love lives on forever mare
So God Bless coming this nicht for it shows you also care.