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We Are Lowly

from The Enduring Land by Alan Dickson

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about

Robert Nicoll found ingenious ways to weave social justice and spiritual themes into his work. Here he rails against the cults of property and power, yet celebrates the gifts of Nature that he regards as our common heritage. From ‘The Poems of Robert Nicoll’ (1853).

lyrics

We are lowly – very lowly,
Misfortune is our crime;
We have been trodden under foot
From all recorded time.
A yoke upon our necks is laid,
A burden to endure;
To suffer is our legacy,
The portion of the poor!

We are lowly – very lowly,
And scorned from day to day;
Yet we have something of our own
Power cannot take away.
By tyrants we are toiled to death –
By cold and hunger killed;
But peace is in our hearts, it speaks
Of duties all fulfilled!

We are lowly – very lowly,
Nor house nor land have we;
But there’s a heritage for us
While we have eyes to see.
They cannot hide the lovely stars,
Word’s in creation’s book,
Although they hold their fields and lanes
Corrupted by our look!

We are lowly – very lowly,
And yet the fairest flowers
That by the wayside raise their eyes, -
Thank God, they still are ours!
Ours is the streamlets mellow voice,
And ours the common dew;
We still dare gaze on hill and plain,
And field and meadow too!

We are lowly – very lowly,
But when the cheerful spring
Come forth with flowers upon his feet
To hear the throstle sing,
Although we dare not seek the shade
Where haunt the forest deer –
The waving leaves we still can see,
The hymning birds can hear!

We are lowly – very lowly,
Our hedgerow paths are gone
Where woodbines laid their fairy hands
The hawthorn’s breast upon,
Yet slender mercies still are left, -
And heaven doth endure,
And hears the prayers that upward rise
From the afflicted poor!

credits

from The Enduring Land, released July 17, 2016

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Alan Dickson Glasgow, UK

Scottish singer songwriter Alan Dickson was born in Leith but now based in Glasgow. Alan writes about life in Scotland and beyond, mainly of a personal and political nature.

Descended from a Leith docker, he remarks: "as life mimics art I'm just like my grandfather, only he used a rivet gun and I use a guitar."

Among his influences are Robert Burns, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Dick Gaughan. ... more

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