Scottish Poetry Selection
- A Scotch Caution
A Scotch Caution
When steamin toddy steers aboot
Ca'canny!
When maut gets in, whiles wit leaks oot,
Ca'canny!
A wee bit snifter less or mair
Ye'd think was neither here nor there;
But stint your measure: hae a care,
And dinna ye gang ower far, ma mannie!At supper time, gin ye tak' cheese,
Ca'canny!
Though muckle ye may gulp wi' ease,
Ca'canny!
It's after ye hae gaen tae rest
Ye'll feel that cheese lie on your chest,
And syne wi' dreams your sleep's distressed -
Dinna ye gang ower far, ma mannie!Gin ye walk oot your lass at nicht,
Ca'canny!
Beware o'trees and braid munnelicht,
Ca'canny!
There's words that ye micht chance tae say
And pranks that ye micht chance tae play,
Whilk ye may rue for mony a day -
Dinna ye gang ower far, ma mannie!Gin ye aspire tae gaither gear,
Ca'canny!
Dodge a' thing that's unsound and queer,
Ca'canny!
Ye aye shud speir aboot and see
That ye hae guid security,
Or in the puirhoose ye may dee
Dinna ye gang ower far, ma mannie!In a' your dealin's watch yoursel',
Ca'canny!
Wha' are your friends ye cannot tell,
Ca'canny!
Juist feel your way before ye gang,
Caution will seldom guide ye wrang;
Keep mind o' this judeecious sang,
And dinna ye gang ower far, ma mannie!Meaning of unusual words:
Ca'canny=be cautious, take care
maut=malt (whisky)
whiles=sometimes
muckle=a lot
syne=afterwards
braid munnelicht=broad moonlight
Whilk=which
aye shud speir aboot=always should ask about
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
