To an Absent Friend

Dear cronie, we are met the nicht
Tae drink yer health for auld langsyne;
Wi’ social crack and canty sang
We fain wad a’ oor sorrows tyne.

Gin ye had been amang us noo
Oor melodies wad soun’ mair sweet,
Yer kin’ly voice wad add the note
Tae mak’ the harmony complete.

Burns tells us “Man was made tae murn,”
Wi’ that we dinna aye agree,
For here are we five chaps the nicht
As blithe an’ merry as can be.

Some find this warl’ drear an’ dark
Frae cradle onward tae the tomb;
A touch o’ kindness noo an’ then
Breaks through the seeming cheerless gloom.

Sae as we travel doon the vale
Let’s help each ither a’ we can,
An’ never slicht tho’ puir he be
“The social, freenly honest man.”

Here’s health again! Lang may ye leeve!
Hale be yer min’, hale be yer hert!
An’ may prosperity be yours,
An’ aye the honest manly pairt.