The Union Canal by Robin Laing Recorded by Robin Laing Fountainbridge to Falkirk, over Almondell By Ratho and Linlithgow weaves a magic spell Fountainbridge to Falkirk, over Almondell Follow the windings of the Union Canal Follow the windings of the Union Canal As a child I was enchanted by swans among the reeds Tadpoles in my jamjar, minnows in the weed Gazing from the towpath on my hands and knees Sunlight on the water, the wind in the willow trees Thinking on those early days, I was always there Swinging out on Tarzan ropes, drop in for a dare Summer was the magic time, but Winter had its day Skating on the ice until the daylight slipped away Fountainbridge to Falkirk... The Union is a quiet place, a relic from the past See the old stone bridges, they were made to last It's just a sad backwater, lazy, deep and slow A sleepy road that used to be a moving picture show For once the traffic pulsed along, a beat that had no rest Lifeline for the Lothians, a gateway to the West Passengersby the thousands, scows of coal and grain The Union carried everything before the railways came Fountainbridge to Falkirk... A casualty of progress, stranded high and dry The Union was discarded, left to waste and die Broken and neglected, falling to decay All those weary Winter days, lonely, cold and grey Those winter years are past now,the water feels the sun The fight against the brambles and silting up is won Narrow boats and barges steer the old canal Slipping through the countryside that I have loved so well Fountainbridge to Falkirk... The Union Canal links the heart of Edinburgh to the modern wonder of the waterways - the Falkirk Wheel. Recorded on : Edinburgh Skyline - Robin Laing, Greentrax Records CDTRAX 021 (1989)
The Union Canal by Robin Laing Recorded by Robin Laing Fountainbridge to Falkirk, over Almondell By Ratho and Linlithgow weaves a magic spell Fountainbridge to Falkirk, over Almondell Follow the windings of the Union Canal Follow the windings of the Union Canal As a child I was enchanted by swans among the reeds Tadpoles in my jamjar, minnows in the weed Gazing from the towpath on my hands and knees Sunlight on the water, the wind in the willow trees Thinking on those early days, I was always there Swinging out on Tarzan ropes, drop in for a dare Summer was the magic time, but Winter had its day Skating on the ice until the daylight slipped away Fountainbridge to Falkirk... The Union is a quiet place, a relic from the past See the old stone bridges, they were made to last It's just a sad backwater, lazy, deep and slow A sleepy road that used to be a moving picture show For once the traffic pulsed along, a beat that had no rest Lifeline for the Lothians, a gateway to the West Passengersby the thousands, scows of coal and grain The Union carried everything before the railways came Fountainbridge to Falkirk... A casualty of progress, stranded high and dry The Union was discarded, left to waste and die Broken and neglected, falling to decay All those weary Winter days, lonely, cold and grey Those winter years are past now,the water feels the sun The fight against the brambles and silting up is won Narrow boats and barges steer the old canal Slipping through the countryside that I have loved so well Fountainbridge to Falkirk... The Union Canal links the heart of Edinburgh to the modern wonder of the waterways - the Falkirk Wheel. Recorded on : Edinburgh Skyline - Robin Laing, Greentrax Records CDTRAX 021 (1989)