Epistle to Mr Gawn Orr, November 1884

Oh, for a thrasher stout and strong

Wi’ plenty for to thrash and thong

But beggar folks the rick among

Can ne’er appear

They want the stuff, be’t right or wrong

Mak gentles here

My honoured frien on business bent

I you accost, on thrift intent

And tho’ my ditty’s no in prent

I beg you heed it

For all I ax, if you it kent,

I sairly need it.

I ha’e a hoose was ance a biggin’

But now it near haes lost the riggin’

Neglect, hard times, and whiskey swiggin’,

Ha’e stript its croon

And if it don’t get theek an’ sniggin’

’Twill soon come doon.

Have you got wheat straw for to sell

’Twould dae for thatch when snugged up well

I want a ton I to you tell

Spick braw an’ spank new

To me oblige you’ll bear the bell,

And I’ll be thankfu’.

If had the thatch, the scobes I ha’e

Friend Gracey me supplied wi’ thae

You might dae waur if ha’e the strae

Than turn it o’er

And on delivery I’ll thee pay

An’ clear the score.

To pay an’ prigg baith, is the wearrie,

If do the thing just do it cheery,

And if you can’t, say you, my dearie,

Whar I may hook it

Nor weel ye ken, I’m no richt fiery

To rin an’ look it.

Have I done acht tha I should rue

When you sae lang are frae my view

I never thocht, ance, freen sae true

Sae lang, would lea’ me;

Although my crack’s no’ worth much noo

I’d like tae see ye.

I hope the family a’ are weel

Lang may the be sae, an’ blithe feel

And you, yoursel, be strong as steell

Ye brave auld chappie

When you dee escape the de’il

And aye be happy.

Robert Huddleston

GLOSSARY

thong — bind

gentles — people of good breeding

ax — ask

a biggin — a building, being built

riggin — roof top, ridge

croon — crown, roof

theek — thatch

sniggin — fasteners, hooks

snugged — tidied, smoothed

spick braw an’ spank new — spick and span, good and new

bear the bell — be the best/winner

scobes — thatching rods

thae — those

waur — worse

strae — straw

score — debt

prigg — bargain, haggle

say you — tell me

hook — obtain, get

fiery — keen, fired up

acht — anything

tha — that

the — they

lea’ — leave

crack — good company, conversation