A Wheen mair Rhymes

Author: Mark Thompson

Date: 1999

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

Girl with books

Mark Thompson

My mother was reared at Islandhill near Ballyfrenis, between Millisle and Carrowdore. Some rhymes she learned as a child were:

Clap a hands — Daddy’s comin hame

Keeks in his pokit for his ain wee wean

Johnny’s got the maizles

He’s had them noo for days

The way he keeps on ticklin

You’d think it was tha flaes

Achanee whun A was wee

A used tae sit on ma daddie’s knee

At Sunday School in Dan White’s old Mission Hall in Carrowdore (now demolished), she was taught this chorus, which was based on Psalm 23 in Scots:

Fu an skailin, fu an skailin

Ma wee bicker’s fu an skailin

Since the Lord saved me I’m as happy as can be

Ma wee bicker’s fu an skailin

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