Stewarton Weavers

By William Watt (1875 - 1950)

Taken from the 1998 Bonnet Guild Festival Guide

Stewarton Toun it yaist tae be

Stockit oot wi weavers

There's still a kin o' weavin din

Machines, that's cawd wi levers.

They dinna ca' it weavin noo

The name it is too common

A classic name they've gotten furt

Tho' still their wark is weavin.

Hosiery they ca' it noo

The name is maybe brawer

In place o' cawin wae the fit

Machines wae hawns they caw them.

The weavers yince wis Moleskin cled

An on their head a tammy

Forgethered whilst in bits oh groups

An often had a drappy

An their guid wives wae pipit mutch

An' a snod bit druggart bratty'

They helped the weavers at their wark

It took aw' tae fill the patty2

Nae Moleskins noo wad be the garb

Nor pipit mutches either

They're dressy noo gawn tae their wark

Although the're Stewarton weavers.

They mun be dressed in jumpers noo

Or fancy woven jackets

An when a bit awa fae you

You'd think their legs were rackit.

Although their outward garb be changed

And name of occupation

There jist aye weavers awe the same

Oh a wee bit higher station.

We munna grudge the name they choose

Their wark it is a blessin'

An monnie buddies they hae proved

When winter win's were hissin'.

Shelter frae the cawl blast

An warm claes they provide

There's rather better comfort there

Than the ol' fashioned woolen plyde.

Then here's tae guid ol' Stewarton

An' its hosiery weavin hawns

Their wark it is a credit

An long may it keep gawn.