[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

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THE NOBLE FAMILY OF MONTGOMERIE.
to have reference to a band of Carrick Covenanters, while passing through
Ayr, on their way to the general rendezvous at Bothwell Brig, in 1679.
The hero of the song was—according to the tradition of his descendants
—John Paterson of Ballaird, in the parish of Colmonell, who was a zealous
promoter of the Covenant, and who endured no small persecution
for its sake. The author, or authors of the lines and air are, so far as
we aje aware, unknown.
Cije Notsic dFamilg of J^ontgotnerie,
A Noble Roman was the root
From which Montgomeries came.
Who brought his legion from the war.
And settled the same.
Upon an Hill 'twixt Rome and Spain,
*Gomericus by name
From whom he and his offspring do
Their sir-name still retain.
From this, imto the wars of France,
Their valour did them bring'.
That they great instruments might be,
To save the Gaelic king.
Here, with great splendour and renown>
Six centuries they spend :
At length for England they set sail
Ambition hath no end.
On British ground they land at length
Rodger must general be,
A cousin of the Conqueror's,
And fittest to supplie
* Mons Gomericus.
60
mil !§^5S1