The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2144   Message #1431311
Posted By: GUEST,Eric Patterson
10-Mar-05 - 03:56 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Farewell to Whiskey / Johnnie My Man
Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TO WHISKEY
I also really like Farewell to Whiskey, but like you there were parts of the brogue I couldn't penetrate. Luckily I was able to consult with a visiting Scot & he was able to fill in with far more educated guesses than you or I could make. Here's how he heard it, with a few explanatory notes from me. Enjoy.

Oh, Johnny, my man, dae ye no think o' risin'
For the day is weel spent and the night's comin' on
The siller's a' deeved, and the gillstoop is empty (The silver's all used up & the larder is empty)
O rise up my Johnny and come awa' hame .

The bairnies at hame, they are roarin' and greetin' (crying & whining)
Nae meal in the barrow, to fill their wee waims (bellies)
While you sit here drinkin', you leave us lamentin'
O rise up my Johnny, and come awa' hame.

Wha's that at the door, that is speakin' sae kindly
Tis the voice of my wee wifie, Maggie by name,
Come in, my dear lassie, and sit doon beside me.
O rise up my Johnny, and come awa' hame.

O Johnny, my man, do ye no mind the courtin'?
Nae ale-hoose or tavern e'er ran thru our minds
We spent lang days 'mang (amidst) the sweet scented roses,
And ne'er gie a thought upon gon' awa' hame.

Oh, weel dae I mind O these times that ye speak o'
But these days they are gone and will ne'er come again
But as for the present, we will try for to mend it
So gie's your hand, Maggie, and I'll awa' hame.

Then it's Johnny arose, and he's banged the door open,
Saying cursed be the tavern, that e'er let me in
And cursed be the whiskey, that made me aye thirsty,
And fare thee well whiskey, for I'm awa' hame.