Just to show you I'm not completely off my trolley, I found this almost immediately after I posted my last message. Scottish Poetry Selection THE BOY IN THE TRAIN This poem by M C Smith is full of the anticipation - and questioning - of an excited child on his way to see his Gran in Kirkcaldy - which is known more for the smell from the linoleum factories than as a tourist destination! THE BOY IN THE TRAIN 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! Meaning of unusual words: gang=go haddie=haddock sneckit=locked 'leevin=eleven frichtit=frightened pu'in a hurly=pulling a barrow gey wheen=a lot mou'=mouth tummelt=fallen I'm now going back to the Scottish Poetry Selection to see if my Hebridean song is in there!
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