"Bairnies Cuddle Doon"---"The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht, wi' muckle faucht and din--o' try an' sleep ye waukrife rogues, yer faither's comin' in!" Like Boab, I was reminded of this; I have it on a Judy Dunlop CD (My Arms Are a CradleHTDCD 106). I also agree with GTD's definition of mither (long i as in sigh), but my interpretation (as a Yorkshire lass)would have been the same as Austin's. Interesting thread, Big Daddy!