LANARK LANIMER DAY
An ancient celebration held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark on the Thursday between the Sixth and Twelfth days of June annually since the year 1140.
 

The Wee Toon O' Lanark

The Standard Bearer escorted to the Crowning Dais.

Wednesday Ride-out. Remustering after refreshment at New Lanark.

I've heard men talk o' cities fair,
O' scenery beyond compare,
But there's a place tae me mair fair,
The wee toon o' Lanark.
Famed in story faur an' wide,
The beauties o' the falls o' Clyde,
Whaur peace an' plenty there abide,
In the wee toon o' Lanark.

In Cartland Crags an' Cleghorn woods,
Whaur natures aye in happy mood,
Whaur Bruce an' Wallace aft hae stood,
Near the wee toon o' Lanark.
Or wander doon by Kirkland braw,
The bonniest place amang them a',
Yer heart can ne'er be faur awa',
Frae the wee toon o' Lanark.

Whaur is the heart in Lanark born,
But puits tae flicht dull care wi' scorn,
An swells wi'fpride on Lanimer Morn,
In the wee toon o' Lanark.
Bedecked wi' birks o' lovely green,
A smilin' lass, a bonny queen,
The lovliest sicht you've ever seen,
The Lanimer Morn in Lanark.

Oh, gie me back the happy days,
Tae wander doon the dear Stey Braes,
Alang the Mouse tae pu' the slaes,
Near the wee toon o' Lanark.
The wee white hoose upon the hill,
In memory I can see there still,
Ma hearts there noo an' ever will,
In the wee toon o' Lanark.

It nestles high upon a hill,
Abune, the skylarks sweetly trill,
The fairies seem tae roam at will,
In the wee toon o' Lanark.
So you can have your cities grand,
You never could quite understand,
Tae me there's nae place in the land,
Like the wee toon o' Lanark.

J.D.