The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #48920   Message #737039
Posted By: GUEST,ozmacca
25-Jun-02 - 10:41 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Charlie O Charlie
Subject: RE: Help: Charlie O Charlie
It sounds at first glance to be non-political - in other words, it's not about THAT Charlie at all. Seems to be more of a cornkister.. a farming bothy ballad describing who is going to do what work in the harvest. Maybe from up by Aberdeen area? Anyway, for what it's worth, the words might be:

Frae Pitcarr ( from Pitcarr a place name, or maybe a farm)

For I maun awa' ( For I'm must go away)

hills and dales (maybe?)

Buchan borders (leave the county of Buchan)

Lousen ( ousen - oxen)

Lor (law - could be a local landmark - eg Berwick Law)

Tae the callin ( ca'ing - pulling)

a'dandra kate-nas (Auld Andra Caithness - Andrew)

gard ( gar' - make or bid)

calling hell (Colin Hill)

Isa (could be Isa - short for Isa-bel)

arns (irons - farm implement?)

mistard ( as mustard? - act the fool)

Howling ( in context I'd say howling was right)

mark til (mak' tae seems ok)

grossegs ( I've heard gossan - a ne'er-do-well )

kippet aye sae bare ( could be local for poorly dressed)