Aince the corncrake caa’ed
Author: David Hume
Date: 2012
Source: Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots, Nummer 12 Wunter 2011/12
David Hume MBE
I was brought up on a hillside farm just north of Ballycarry in County Antrim and I can remember the nature that we enjoyed there. This poem is based on childhood memories of the birds which used to be seen or heard in the hills around our farm. Sadly few of them can still be heard in the present time.
A hae hear’d the corncrake caa
O’er the braes in summer:
A bonnie caa fornenst the hills
That noo in silence slummer.
A hae hear’d the peewee cry
Frae Lockstown moss in misty rain;
An aince A spied a mither’s chicks
In a quare wee raa, walkin up thon lane
A hae hear’d the cuckoo caa
Frae somewhaur doon the whinny brae;
A hae seen the wile geese wing,
As ower the sky they mak thair way.
Thae days are no aa that lang by,
But the corncrake’s caa’s awa tae stay.
The wains theday will think on why
They’re gane frae ower oor simmer brae.
