SOLA JUVAT VIRTUS
Blantyre is steeped in history
I’m sure you all know well
From the West End Bar,
To the Cuddie Burn, down at old Springwell
The Pey Brig on the Bonnie banks
The Priory where the Earl of Dunbar did stay
To the Quoiting green of Auchentibber
Set in the heights of Sydes Brae
The river Clyde and the river Calder
Two rivers on which we border
A village of parishes and hamlets
Too many to name in order
Some famous men born of our village
But one stands out alone
It’s Blantyre’s famous son
Dr. David Livingstone
Earls and Queens came to visit
Some have come to bide
Like the martyr William Wallace
It was here he came to hide
Tragedy hit our village, 22nd October
In the year of eighteen seventy seven
Two hundred and sixteen miners
Passed away and went to heaven
We’ve had miner’s rows and old prefabs
Where many a thousand stayed
We’ve had theatre halls and picture houses
Where many children played
Our coat of arms with dove and olive
Such a wonderful sight
With wonderful script ‘Sola juvat virtus’
“Virtue alone delights”
J.J. Whelan 2011
Pictured alongside this great poem are 3 photos of Milheugh I took on a wet 15th November 2015.
