LL-L "Literature" 2005.02.16 (06) [E/S]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 16.FEB.2005 (06) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West) Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From:  R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Literature

Lowlanders,

Hopefully this message will not fall victim to a server glitch (which I have
reported to our hosts).

Here's a bit of Scots (for a welcome change).

When George I, Elector of Hanover, who was born and died in Hanover
(1660-1727), Lower Saxony, was appointed King of the Realm by Westminster,
this caused a ruckus especially in Scottish circles that had held out hope
for a comeback of the House of Stewart. The following popular Scots song of
the time expressed their disdain for the small-time aristocrate from
Germany.  (I'm appending a glossary.)

Enjoy!
Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

***

   The Wee, Wee German Lairdie

   Wha the de'il hae we gotten for a king,
   But a wee, wee German Lairdie:
   When we gaed ower to bring him hame,
   He was delvin' in his kailyardie.
   He was sheughing kail, and laying leeks,
   Without the hose, an' but the breeks,
   An' up his beggar duds lie cleeks.
   This wee, wee German Lairdie.

   An' he's clappit doun in our gudeman's chair,
   The wee, wee German lairdie;
   An' he's brocht fouth o' his foreign trash,
   An' dibbled them in his yairdie.
   He's pu'd the rose o' English loons,
   An' broken the harp o' Irish clowns,
   But our Scotch thistle will jag his thumbs,
   This wee, wee German lairdie.

   Come up amang our Hieland. Hills,
   Thou wee, wee German lairdie,
   An' see the Stuart's lang kail thrive,
   They hae dibbled in our kailyairdie.
   An' if a stock ye daur to pu',
   Or haud the yokin' o' a plough,
   We'll break your sceptre owre your mou,'
   Ye feckless German lairdie.

   Auld Scotland, thou'rt ower cauld a hole,
   For nursin' siccan vermin;
   But the very dogs in England's court,
   They bark an' howl in German.
   Then keep thy dibble in thy ain hand,
   Thy spade but an' thy yairdie;
   For wha the deil now claims your land,
   But a wee, wee German lairdie ?

Glossary:

beggar duds he cleeks: pulls up his beggar rags
breeks: breeches, trousers
brocht fouth: brought plenty
clappit doun: clapped down
daur to pu': dare to pull
delvin in his kail yardie: digging in his cabbage patch
fouth: a lot, plenty
gaed ower: went across
haud: hold
lairdie: "lordy," small landowner
lang kail: long cabbage
laying leeks: planting vegetables
loons: dishonest rascals
mou: mouth
ower cauld a hole: too cold a place
wee: small, little
wha the deil: who the devil

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