Epistle to Mr Gawn Orr, November 1884
Author: Robert Huddleston
Date: 1993
Source: Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots: Nummer 1 Spring 1993
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