Never listen to the words

[chickenfeet]

One should never listen to the words of Scottish folk songs. Not only do they contain all manner of outlandish made up words but they usually don't make any sense at all. Bonnie Susie Clelland is a fine example of inscrutability.

And if you need any further proof that the Scots are peculiar beyond all reason, this little gem was chosen to be sung at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

Comments

[frankie-ecap.livejournal.com]

And if you need any further proof that the Scots are peculiar beyond all reason

You might think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

*smirks*

[oursin.livejournal.com]

There is an amusing fake example of an impenetrably dialect-ridden and meaningless Highland song in Nancy Mitford's Highland Fling.

[lemur-man.livejournal.com]

all manner of outlandish made up words

Bonnie Susie Clelland seems pretty intelligible to be. The sentiments may be a bit odd, but the words are just Scots rather than made up.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Don't have an English boyfriend, or you'll be burned at the stake. Seems pretty straightforward to me. A trifle harsh, maybe, but I think all right thinking people would agree with the sentiment. And good to emphasise it at the opening of the parliament too.

Jock O' Hazeldean

[(Anonymous)]

Just to remind you that Scot's women don't always get burnt:

Why weep ye by the tide, lady, why weep ye by the tide?
A'll wad ye tae my youngest son an ye shall be his bride
An ye shall be his bride lady sae comely tae be seen
But aye she lout the tears dounfaa for Jock O Hazeldean

Nou let this willfu grief be dune an dry those cheeks sae pale
Young Frank is chief of Erthington an Lord O Langleydale
His step is first in peacefu haa his sword in battle keen
Bit aye she lout the tears dounfaa for Jock O Hazeldean

A coat o gowd ye sallnae lack nor kaim tae bind your hair
Nor mettled hound nor managed hawk nor palfrey fresh an fair
An you, the foremaist o them aa sall ride, our forest queen
Bit aye she lout the tears dounfaa for Jock O Hazeldean

The kirk was deckt at mornintide, the tapers glimmert fair
The priest an bridegroum wait the bride an dame an knight were there
They searcht for her in bower an haa the lady wisnae seen
She's owre the border an awa wi Jock O Hazeldean

[a-d-medievalist.livejournal.com]

So my problem is that, as a woman of muchly Scots heritage, I shouldn't involved myself with Englishmen? Somebody could have mentioned that a bit earlier!