St John's Kirk, Perth.
Photograph courtesy of Dr W.H. Findlay, Perth.
| introduction | life | poetry | bibliography |
John Knox he learn'd the Latin, The Hebrew and the Greek: But aften frae the poopit His mither-tongue he'd speak. |
In bane he was sma'-boukit, But had a muckle beard And when he gar'd it waggle Baith man and beast were feard. |
He brocht back frae the galleys The snellness o' the sea: Its saut was in his sermons, Its glitter in his e'e. |
John Knox in destination Warsl'd wi' kirk and state; And the souchin o' his spirit Blaws about Scotland yet. |
poopit - pulpit; | bane - bone; | sma'-boukit - small-bodied; | muckle - big; | gar'd - made; |
feared - afraid; | snellness - coldness; | saut - salt; | warsl'd - wrestled; | kirk - church; |
souchin - sighing; | blaws - blows. |
Most poems on the site have audio. Please click the play button if you want to hear a recording.