Written by Stuart McFarlane

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Not so long ago you could be deported to Australia 

for committing a minor crime. 

Juniper Green is an area of Edinburgh. 

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Horses’ hooves clatter on cobblestone streets, 

 and all the grey streets, to me, all look the same;  

my heart, it is pounding, faster it beats, 

as the police wagon rolls on through the rain. 

Now I see tall masts piercing the sky 

as we slowly turn into the port of Leith. 

Briefly, I catch the sergeant’s cold eye. 

I’m bound for Australia, tagged as a thief. 

I stole a few chickens but it’s enough 

to put me in shackles, it seems. 

And the ocean is wide, the sea is rough.  

 So farewell Juniper Green. 

   

In summer we roamed through Meadows and trees, 

for that’s where I met bonnie Jean. 

I still see how sunlight strains though the leaves, 

as we walk on down by the stream. 

A sudden jolt, the rain’s in my eyes, 

as I step out, onto hard stone; 

it’s too late now, too late to be wise, 

too late now to wend my way home. 

So Jean, your hand, now place in mine, 

I shall miss what might have been. 

Smile for me just one final time. 

And farewell Juniper Green