Oor Ned - by Bob Auld

[Hughie]

Oor Ned

Here among us from Carrick's shore
From whence came Scotia's kings,
Came Ned McQuat no crown he wore
Great renown nor angels wings
But gruff and ready always cheery,
In, fact to be quite brief
His helping hand was never weary
He must have been a chief.

He brought to us oor Rabbie's lore
With a pawky wit forbye
Of apt quotations a generous store
His well was never dry,
Of Scottish pride he has his share
It never was hard to find,
With just a bit of devil-me-care
And an independent mind.

Now who among us has any doubt
When we sing his praise,
As thro' our days he walked about
He had a manly grace,
That kindly gentleness was e'er there
It was the Master's plan
In every action he brought to bear
The proud dignity of man.

Time has memories bitter and sweet,
We can't forget the past,
But wishes are dreams we seldom meet
Fickle as an angler's cast,
Pleasures tempt then dance away
Contentment too seldom sought,
So among the many with much to say
Let me voice this thought.

Blaw saft ye winds blaw saft,
Just ruffle his wispy hair
Ned was a Master o' the Craft
But let me ask this mair:
Please God under your bountiful wings
Keep him safe from fears,
Bless him with health and the joy it brings
For many many years.

[Catherine Belle]

Thank you Hughie "Yoo're ma best pal!"
Can anyone shed some light on Mr.McQuat? Who/what was he? Obviously Bob liked and respected him. Besides being a nice guy with a propensity for quoting Rabbie, why was he special enough to inspire poetic immortality via Bob and his "Wee Book"?..Anybody have a clue?

Thanks, Catherine