A Tribute to Mr J. Graham Henderson, The World's Fair Judge by William Topaz McGonagall
Thrice welcome home to Hawick, Mr J. Graham Henderson, For by your Scotch tweeds a great honour you have won; By exhibiting your beautiful tweeds at the World's Fair You have been elected judge of Australian and American wools while there.
You had to pass a strict examination on the wool trade, But you have been victorious, and not the least afraid, And has been made judge of wools by Sir Henry Truman Good, And was thanked by Sir Henry where he stood.
You have been asked by Sir Henry to lecture on wools there, And you have consented to do so, which made your audience stare When you let them see the difference betwixt good wool and bad; You'll be sure to gain fresh honours, they will feel so glad.
To think they have found a clever man indeed, That knows good wool and how to manufacture Scotch tweed, I wish you success for many a long day, Because your Scotch tweeds are the best, I venture to say.
May you always be prosperous wherever you go, Always gaining fresh friends, but never a foe, Because you are good and a very clever man, And to gainsay it there's few people can.