Thomas Muir Of Huntershill - Dick Gaughan

My name is Thomas Muir as a lawyer I was trained

Remember Thomas Muir of Huntershill

But you’ve branded me an outlaw, for sedition I’m arraigned

Remember Thomas Muir of Huntershill

But I never preached sedition in any shape or form

And against the constitution I have never raised a storm

It’s the scoundrels who’ve corrupted it that I want to reform

Remember Thomas Muir of Huntershill M’lord, you found me guilty before the

trial began

Remember …

And the jury that you’ve picked are Tory placemen to a man

Remember …

Yet here I stand for judgement unafraid what may befall

Though your spies were in my parish Kirk and in my father’s hall

Not one of them can testify I ever broke a law

Remember … Yes, I spoke to Paisley weavers and addressed the city’s youth

For neither age nor class should be a barrier to the truth

M’lord, you may chastise them with your vitriolic tongue

You say that books are dangerous to those I moved among

But the future of our land is with the workers and the young Members of the

jury, it’s not me who’s being tried200 years in future they will mind what you

decide

You may send me to Van Dieman’s Land or clap me in the jail

Grant me death or grant me liberty my spirit will not fail

For my cause it is a just one and my cause it will prevail With quiet words and

dignity Muir led his own defence

He appeared completely blameless to those with common sense

When he had finished speaking the courtroom rang with cheers

Lord Braxfield said, «This outburst just confirms our greatest fears»

And he sentenced Thomas Muir to be transported 14 years Gerrard, Palmer,

Skirving, Thomas Muir and Margarot

These are names that every Scottish man and woman ought to know

When you’re called for jury service, when your name is drawn by lot

When you vote in an election when you freely voice your thought

Don’t take these things for granted, for dearly were they bought