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Be Kind to Your Nainsel

[ Roud - ; John Byers]

Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul sang Herd Laddie in 2026 on their album They’ll Aye Remain. They noted:

A song in praise of shepherds. This bonnie poem by Liddesdale shepherd John ‘Bluebell’ Byers was set to music by Johnny Handle, and Amy learnt it from the brilliant Chris Hendry.

Lyrics

Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul sing Herd laddie

Talk not of your sailors, your fine clerks and tailors
They may be fine fellows but they’re naething tae me
But the herd lad sae saucy snares the hert o a lassie
They’re stout and they’re supple, they’re handsome and free

When they’re rowed in their plaidies aa the eyes o the ladies
They sparkle and glint in their innocent glee
But oot on the mountain or by the clear fountain
As licht as the wild deer they’re bound aye sae free

Some loo the gay plooman aye I ken he’s a true man
And blythe aye he’s whistles alang the green lea
But the lad wi the collie aye lichtsome and jolly
Is dearer and sweeter by far aye tae me

May he lang brush the heather through fair and foul weather
As foremost he stauns in my hert and my ee
But I’ll think aye wi pride on the lad by my side
An tenderly loo him til the oor that I dee