"Helen Ramsay"  wrote :-

> Here's something I found just for the Irish in you :)
>
> James Orr is undoubtedly the most popular Rhyming Weaver of all.
>
> James Orr (1770-1816)
>
> The savage loves his native shore,
> Though rude the soil and chill the air;
> Well then may Erin's sons adore
> Their isle, which Nature formed so fair!
> What flood reflects a shore so sweet,
> As Shannon great, or past'ral Bann?
> Or who a friend or foe can meet,
> So gen'rous as an Irishman?
>
> (James Orr, THE IRISHMAN)



I live in County Antrim, and each year there is a competition for the best
"Ulster-Scots" rhymer.
(He/She is crowned "Bard of Balycarry")

This is part of a poem that won it last year for North Antrim Rhymer, Charlie
Gillen.


PRATAS

Did ye gether tae a spinner,
Whun the deys wus shoart an' coul,
Did the digger man keep kempin,
Tae yeh curst he's verra sowl.


Did ye iver poo the prata taps,
An' pile them in the fiel',
An' burn them efter quattin' time,
Whun oot the moon she'd steal.


Did ye iver in the ashes,
Roast a prata ye had dug,
Did ye ate it lake a banquet,
Wur ye blak fae ear tae lug.


Did ye iver in the moonlicht,
Bing up a prata pit,
Lake I dane fifty years ago,
Ach!! Heth I min' it yit.


Did ye iver watch yer fether,
Wae rashes thatch the pit,
Wae yer bak turn't tae the greeshagh,
O' the fire ye had lit.


If ye niver sa' or dane these things,
Ye'll mebbe naw agree,
But memr'ys, whiles is al' we hae,
Oul country men lak me.

       ----- etc


Helen , would you consider this to be Lallans ?

SammyM