Teach me Slang II

Chapter II ~ Scots

Each summer tourists have one target to reach,
flying to Caledonia although it´s cold at the beach.
The land of the Thistle has other attractions to offer, you know,
I would suggest a few things to learn before you go.

How many lakes will you find on the map? Right, just one!
Lake of Meinteith. Travel to Loch Ness and just carry on!
Loch stands for lake, cairn is a mountain like ben,
Not to forget Ben Nevis if you are of craigs or Munros a fan.

Will ye come roon for yer tea? You can have Cock-a-leekie,
stovies, Cod in mustard sauce or Yon´s a fine ham-a-haddie.
The most eaten meal is mince´n tatties I´m reading in my book,
I never have had Haggis but Arbroath smokies I took.

Sea fill up yer glasses, let the bottle gae roon,
Whit are ye for? Malt Whisky? Slainte Mhor!in the afternoon!
There´s an awfae drouth on me! Tume yer cup!
With your cronies have a bevy or chaser in a pub.

You should not miss a session of ceilidh with any airs,
diddlin, chanter, clarsach, jigs and reels on Scottish fairs.
Folk music is presented for everybody´s fun: Gie´s a tune, lads!
pipes´ ´n drums, bodhran, fiddle and whistle for bothy ballads.

The kilt is a symbol but not so often worn like in ancient clans,
you still see it on celebrations, each clan has a pattern of tartan.
There is no need to explain Mac, but who of you knows Nic?
It´s daughter, not to mix up with nick, nickname, nick-nack or Nick.

Cheviot, Linton and blackface are sheep in the Highlands,
Lassie is a collie, but lass could be a girl too, you understand?
The Loch Ness Monster is a friend of everybody, wherever you go,
well, are westies, Aberdeen Angus and shelties in your memo?

The kids are bairns, weans or weeyins, tak a tellin!
Hi, my friend´s aye bonnie, a hempy, be quiet: wheesht! Don´t grin!
If you call Morag a dally-doll and Dougie a glaikit get,
cope with an argie-bargy, you better wish Lang may yer lum reek!

This has been quite a lot about SCOTS, Hoo are ye gettin on?
My jotter is awa, cannot write more about mouthies & drones,
Hogmanay, Alba, Saltire, Lion Rampant and Culloden & famous Scots
like Burns and Braveheart.Ah could dae wi a bevy? Help ma bob!


Let´s shoot the craw! Toodleloo the noo!


© 2002 ~ Sonja Nic Rafferty