R2OK!

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Right at the start of Chris Evans' show this morning, he mentioned someone reciting the Scottish poem the Boy in the Train.

I immediately went back almost 50 years to Spring 1960, when, as an 11-year-old schoolboy, I won a prize for reciting that very poem at a festival in Liverpool run by the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation of Scottish Societies. I've never heard it since, so great memories were rekindled. I've just done a Google search and found it set out in full straight away.

Ian.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

The Boy in the Train

by Mary Campbell Smith

Whit wey does the engine say 'Toot-toot'?
Is it feart to gang in the tunnel?
Whit wey is the furnace no pit oot
When the rain gangs doon the funnel?
What'll I hae for my tea the nicht?
A herrin', or maybe a haddie?
Has Gran'ma gotten electric licht?
Is the next stop Kirkcaddy?

There's a hoodie-craw on yon turnip-raw!
An' seagulls! - sax or seeven.
I'll no fa' oot o' the windae, Maw,
Its sneckit, as sure as I'm leevin'.
We're into the tunnel! we're a' in the dark!
But dinna be frichtit, Daddy,
We'll sune be comin' to Beveridge Park,
And the next stop's Kirkcaddy!

Is yon the mune I see in the sky?
It's awfu' wee an' curly,
See! there's a coo and a cauf ootbye,
An' a lassie pu'in' a hurly!
He's chackit the tickets and gien them back,
Sae gie me my ain yin, Daddy.
Lift doon the bag frae the luggage rack,
For the next stop's Kirkcaddy!

There's a gey wheen boats at the harbour mou',
And eh! dae ya see the cruisers?
The cinnamon drop I was sookin' the noo
Has tummelt an' stuck tae ma troosers. . .
I'll sune be ringin' ma Gran'ma's bell,
She'll cry, 'Come ben, my laddie',
For I ken mysel' by the queer-like smell
That the next stop's Kirkcaddy!

How does that translate into Scouse, then? Smile

_________________
Ron

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Where's Briant when you need him?

Ian.