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.
 

Lanark Day Ode

The Standard Bearer escorted to the Crowning Dais

The crowning of the Lanimer Queen

"Tis mom of June; at dawn of light
All buskit brave stands Wallace Wight;
And streets with streamers gay gleam bright,
With streamers gay gleam bright;
When Provost heads the March in state,
And tuneful bands step forth elate,
While old and young expectant wait;
The Lanimer March! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Lanimer Day! Hurrah!

Tall birks fresh hewn from forest glade,
With leafy screen aloft displayed,
Shed floating, flickering light and shade,
Shed flickering light and shade;
Where Queen is crowned on cloth of gold,
And maidens fair her state uphold,
With pursuivant and herald bold;
The Latimer Birks! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Lanimer Day! Hurrah!

See Cornet, flag unfurled, lead
His cavalcade at breakneck speed,
To Lanark moor's broad level mead,
To moor's broad level mead;
There sports begin 'neath glorious sun,
On foot and horse the race is run,
And prize is lost and prize is won;
The Lanimer Sports! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Lanimer Day! Hurrah!

To crowded Cross, while bells resound,
The Town Clerk tells once more he found
The Burgh landmarks safe and sound,
All landmarks safe and sound;
At eve in court, at monarch's feet,
Gay page, and squire, with homage meet,
And princely grace, their sovereign greet;
The Lanimer Queen! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! The Lanimer Day! Hurrah!

Old Lanark's sons and daughters share
One strong desire, where'er they fare,
To see the Lanimer March aince mair,
The Lanimer March aince mair.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot?"
Nay, Lanimer Day, whate'er my lot
For thee I'll keep my fondest thought;
Old Lanimer Day! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! Old Lanimer Day! Hurrah!
Hurrah! Hurrah! Old Lanimer Day! Hurrah!

THOMAS REID, M.A.

(Author of "Lanimer Day 1570-1913")