Villanelle de Noel is reproduced with the kind permission of Joy Hendry at Chapman and Heather Scott. The poem was previously published in the Collected Shorter Poems of Tom Scott - Chapman (£15.95). For orders e-mail chapman-pub@blueyonder.co.uk www.chapman-pub.co.uk

Villanelle de Noel

The robin owre aa birds is blest At this time o the year, Nowel: The bluid o Christ is on his breast. Frae Sicily ti Hammerfest The bairns relate the sely tale: The robin owre aa birds is blest, For on Calvarie he tried to wrest Frae Yeshu's palm the cruel nail: The bluid o Christ is on his breast. Sensyne he's been Yuill's dearest guest, Nae ither sae welcom as himsel: The robin owre aa birds is blest. He wears the Yuilltide like a vest And his sang's the peal o a ferlie bell: The bluid o Christ is on his breast. Nae starred and medalled hero's chest Can eer wi greater merit swell: The robin owre aa birds is blest. The bluid o Christ is on his breast.

Tom Scott