Glenbuchat Heritage

27 Tribute to James Davidson

Pictures above

Picture 1 James Davidson with the Mobile shop van
Picture 2 George Hay from Craighead.

The following is a poem written by George Hay mourning the loss of a friend and also the local shop.

A Tribute to my old friend “Jimmie” Davidson
From “Geordie O’ Braeside”

Oh, Jimmie lad, we miss you sair,
Since you closed up your shop
Nae mair you rattle up the till.
Or round the counter hop.

Nae mair the shop hums like a hive,
And a’ ablaze wi’ licht,
Nae mair the loaded van comes hame,
Upon a Thursday nicht.

Nae mair the loons frae far and near
Forgaither at the door,
For weel they kent the’d bargains get
At Jimmie’s famous store.

The passing bairns nae longer pause
Tae gaze with goggling een,
At sweetie jars upon your shelves.
Alas the shelves are teem.

And onything you didna hae,
You wrote it in your book
And said I’ll hae it the morn for sure
Then nippet roon the neuk.

The tramps had sense when spending pence,
A good look round they ask it,
It’s true at very sma expense,
They staggered with their basket

For mony a year you held the road
And served the public weel.
You van was always aye a welcome sight
Wi Robbie at the wheel.

And Robbie drove your mobile shop
Through sunshine, rain or snaw
And housewives by the dozen came.
He fairly pleased then a’.


And every Sunday sure as fate
In sunshine or in mirk,
You raised your voice to praise the Lord
In Buchat’s little kirk.

And when our earthly race is run,
Our sins I hope forgiven,
May St Peter shake your hand and say
“Come start a shop in Heaven”.


George M. Hay. Glenbuchat 4th May 1978