“Roond the simple game o' fitba', the world unites, for a' that”

Jan 23 2009 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE WORDS above, written using the inspiration of Robert Burns’ famous poem for the common man, were penned by Queen of the South’s Poet in Residence, Bill Halfpenny.

He’s wrote A Ba’s a Ba’ for a’ that as a special tribute to the Bard on his 250th birthday weekend – and to inspire the Palmerston faithful and players.

Leadhills-based Bill is a regular at Queens and his poem will be included in the programme tomorrow for the Doonhamers’ game against Partick Thistle.

The idea for the verse came from a conversation he had with the headteacher of a local primary school, while he was arranging one of his poetry workshops.

They thought one of the messages in Burns’ poem – that it’s not winning that matters, but how you play the game – strikes a chord with the feelings of Queens fan at the moment and inspired the poem’s title. Coinciding with the Homecoming Scotland celebrations this year, Bill is also planning several poetry events involving Queen of the South and delivering more creative workshops with schools across Dumfries and Galloway.

Bill has already written several poems which have appeared in Queens’ poems and here is his latest effort:

A Ba's a Ba' for a' that

The Fitba' makes men brothers be,

O' equal worth, an' a' that;

The laws care not for rank or fee -

They level us, for a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that,

One rule for all, an' a' that,

It requires independent mind,

To win the day for a' that.

The ba' rolls ower any goal line,

Off any boot, for a' that;

It favours naebody by design,

A ba's a ba', for a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that,

For equal rights, an' a' that,

Roond the simple game o' fitba',

The world unites, for a' that.