Loanin En Rhymes: A Tale o Twa Charlies

Author: Charlie Reynolds

Date: 1999

Source: Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots, Nummer 7 Wunter 1999

loanin en rhymes

Charlie Reynolds

About two years ago Charlie Reynolds, who was born in North Antrim and now resides in Coleraine, met Charlie Gillen, who dwells in the fine little village of Dervock. They met through their mutual interest of “Aul Country Rhymes” and love “o the aul Ulster-Scots tongue”.

Charlie Reynolds had over the years collected a large archive of old rhymes and poems etc. In Charlie Gillen’s case he is well known in North Antrim as being a fine writer of rhymes in his own right and delights audiences with his very own style of bringing “the aul rhymes tae life.” After much discussion “tha twa Charlies” decided to try to produce a cassette of old rhymes and poems with a strong Ulster-Scots flavour. The intention was to encourage interest at a grass-root level in “the aul tongue”. The help of the Ulster-Scots Language Society was sought and they kindly made a loan to finance the project. The little tape contains some gems by authors such as W. F. Marshall, John Clifford, Alex M‘Allister, Bab M‘Keen, R. J. McLean and two of Charlie Gillen’s own rhymes. Music on the little tape is provided by the well-known storyteller and fiddler Willie Drennan from Ballymena.

Also anyone wishing to raise funds for their Ulster-Scots club, Folklore Society or Historical Society should contact Charlie Reynolds for group rates.

Postscript: A Tale o Twa Ulster-Scots Groups

Tha “twa Charlies”, alang wi Willie Drennan an a wheen o ither fowk noo meets regular as tha Mid Antrim Ulster-Scots Society. At yin recent meetin in Ferniskey, near Kells, the Greba Ulster-Scots Square Dancers came alang forbye fur a nicht o crack, music, dauncin’ an’ recitations.

It wus gran heerin Will McAvoy o Greba and Charlie Gillen o Dervock baith daein recitations, an’ sax fiddlers frae baith coonties playin’ as if they aa cum frae tha yin toonlan’.

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