Help: Need help with Scottish dialect

Subject: Need help with Scottish dialect
From: Maryrrf
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 09:46 AM

I've done my homework and pulled up the lyrics to "Lassie wie the Yellow Coatie, as recorded by the wonderful Jean Redpath. But can somebody explain some of the words?

"mooreland jockie" "will ye busk and gang wi mi" "I ha kale and cakes fee dainty" "I've a but an ben fee gentry" "Tho my mallen be but small"

It's a beautiful song but I'd like to understand all the words before I attempt it!

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Help: Need help with Scottish dialect
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 10:15 AM

"Jockey" is a general term for a countryman or rustic; in this case he presumably lives or works on a moor.
"Busk and gang": "Get ready/dress and go"
"Kail an' cakes fu' dainty": "plenty of cabbage and oatcakes".
"But and Ben": a two-roomed cottage, literally "outside and inside"; kitchen and "inner" room.
"fu' genty" is "very neat (and) tidy".
A "mailen" is a farm.

John of Brisbane posted an extensive  Scottish Glossary   here about a year ago, which you will find useful.  There's a discussion of the song, with a verse that Jean Redpath omitted, here:  Lassie with the yellow Coatie: Note

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Help: Need help with Scottish dialect
From: Maryrrf
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 11:06 AM

Thanks! (Guess I didn't do my homework as well as I thought.) I appreciate the help.