One of a series of sculptures by the much celebrated Anthony Gormley the iron man stands under the trees in the main flow of the river near my home.
He appeared out of nowhere a few weeks ago
Just where did he come from does anyone know
Did he come by Dean Village, Stockbridge, Cannonmills
Did he wander downstream from somewhere in the hills
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
There’s a man in the water, the Water Of Leith
If ye’re lucky ye might catch sight from the street
For he’s tall dark and sinister hidden by trees
He’s a shadowy figure, he lurks in the leaves
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s there in the evening when the sun starts to set
And he’s there in the morning when the day’s ’bout to break
He stands there all night water lapping his knees
He’s a cauld lonely figure, ye’d think he wid freeze
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s the Man in the Water Of Leith
Makes no sense to me rhyme or reason at all
For he must be at least eight or nine feet tall
He stands slightly stooped as though lookin’ for fish
Maybe practisin’ yoga or makin’ a wish
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
And if you’d like to see him this way you should go
From Bonnington Bridge downriver you stroll
One hundred yards on you look hard he’ll be there
He’ll be under a tree as downriver he stares
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He appeared out of nowhere a few weeks ago
Just where did he come from does anyone know
Did he come by Dean Village, Stockbridge, Cannonmills
Did he wander downstream from somewhere in the hills
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith
He’s the man in the Water Of Leith