Scottish Kenny Poem by Francis Duggan

He comes from the high mountains towards the west of Aberdeen
And don't tell him of your hard life for he himself has seen
Enough of down times in his life his family were poor
And hardship in his younger days he was forced to endure.

The youngest of a family of two girls and five boys
And at Christmas Santa passed their house he never brought them toys
And for Christmas dinner mum could only give them bread and tea
So no need for you to tell him about want and poverty.

His dad a rough uncaring man when he'd had a few beers
Came home from pub in a foul mood his mum was oft in tears
He beat his wife and children and tears flowed every day
And bad memories of his childhood years with Scottish Kenny stay.

His brothers and sisters left home and when he was just sixteen
He headed south for London the World was to be seen
He got a job with builder and though he worked hard for his pay
For first time he felt happy and life with him okay.

Three years he spent in London he yearned for change of scene
And he arrived in Melbourne when he was just nineteen
And he liked it in Australia a better way of life
And he met a lovely Aussie girl and she became his wife.

A good wife and three children a girl and two boys
And Santa comes at Christmas with his bag full of toys
He loves his wife and children quite different to his dad
And those who have known unhappy childhood don't always turn
out bad.

He comes from the high mountains towards the west of Aberdeen
And don't tell him of your hard life for he himself has seen
Enough of down times in his life his family were poor
And hardship in his younger days he was forced to endure.