Burns wrote this as a lively election ballad for a candidate nicknamed Westerha’. The speaker opens by warning the lads along the River Nith not to trust “his Grace,” a duke who sold out the king and will abandon them just as fast. The chorus is a rousing cry: rise up and worst them all, because the Johnstones are in charge, and turncoat Whigs should clear off. The duke is skewered as a hollow ally — never a true friend to the country, never landed a blow on its enemies, and never earned gratitude from the poor. In contrast, Westerha’ is celebrated as a local hero so well-known that every boy herding cattle knows his name. The final verse brings in Whistlebirk and “Maxwell true” as allies, then closes by uniting everyone as Johnstones. The mood is rowdy, defiant, and mischievous — a mix of political scorn and community pride, meant to stir a crowd before a vote.
297. Election Ballad for Westerha’ — Summary
THE LADDIES by the banks o’ Nith Wad trust his Grace 1 wi a’, Jamie; But he’ll sair them, as he sair’d the King— Turn tail and rin awa’, Jamie.
Chorus.—Up and waur them a’, Jamie, Up and waur them a’; The Johnstones hae the guidin o’t, Ye turncoat Whigs, awa’!
The day he stude his country’s friend, Or gied her faes a claw, Jamie, Or frae puir man a blessin wan, That day the Duke ne’er saw, Jamie. Up and waur them, &c.
But wha is he, his country’s boast? Like him there is na twa, Jamie; There’s no a callent tents the kye, But kens o’ Westerha’, Jamie. Up and waur them, &c.
To end the wark, here’s Whistlebirk, Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie; And Maxwell true, o’ sterling blue; And we’ll be Johnstones a’, Jamie. Up and waur them, &c.