Find a Scottish Poem

When I had a job to find a Scottish Poem that I was looking for, I realised that others might have the same problem! So I've included these pages on Scottish Poetry and Songs.

I would have liked to have made all the poems to have been by people from Fife, or about Fife, but I'm still trying to collate these.

By the way, if YOU know a Scottish Poem that you would like to be included on this site, or indeed if you have written one, why not submit your contribution HERE, so people from around the world can enjoy it.

However, at popular request I have been asked to put up some other pieces by Scotland's most famous Poet, Robert (Rabbie) Burns.

My overseas visitors often ask me where they can find a Scottish poem, as they have often heard of Rabbie Burns. He didn't come from the Kingdom of Fife and he wasn't Scotland's only famous Poet. But Burns is known throughout the world and wrote so many poems and lovely songs.

Sometimes I have been asked for the words the poem Address to a Haggis as people have heard it when they've been to a Burns Supper.

Another song I've been asked the words for is "Auld Lang Syne". Friends and visitors from overseas often know wee bits of it. They sing it every Hogmanay or New Years' Eve, but don't know the words, or certainly don't understand them.

I've tried to 'translate' this song. But if you want to have a clearer idea as to what the words to Auld Lang Syne mean, click HERE.

However I HAD to include on THIS page something about FIFE. If you try to find a Scottish Poem or song about 'The Wee Cooper of Fife' you might find a variety of versions.

I was taught this version of the song as a child. I used to love the up-beat tune but confess I hadn’t a clue what it meant, and I’ve been unable to find out who the author was.

Now I see it is about the Cooper beating his wife to do the housework, which is not acceptable behaviour for us today!



The Wee Cooper O' Fife

There was a wee cooper who lived in Fife
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
And he has tae'n a gentle wife
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

She wouldna card and she wouldna spin
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
For shamin' o'her gentle kin
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

She wouldna bake and she wouldna brew
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
For spoilin' of her gentle hue
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roue, roue, roue.

She called him a dirty Hieland whelp
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
If you want yer dinner go get it yourself
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

The cooper's awa tae his wool-pack
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
And lain a sheepskin across her back
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

I'll no thrash you, for your gentle kin
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
But I will thrash my ain sheep-skin
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

He's laid the sheepskin across her back
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
And with a good stick he went whickety-whack
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

Oh I will card and I will spin
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
And think nae mair of my gentle kin!
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

She drew the table and spread the board
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
And "My dear husband" was every word
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.

All you who have gotten a gentle wife
Nickety nackety noo, noo. noo
Just send ye for the cooper of Fife!
Hey Willy Wallacky, hoo John Dougal,
Alane, quo' Rushity, roo, roo, roo.


I plan to keep adding more poems - so if you want me to try to find a Scottish Poem, please let me know and I'll do my best to find it.

Of course, if you find a scottish poem that you would like included here (providing there is no issue with copyright) - then please contact me.


Calling all Fife Poets!

If you are a Fife Poet, or you have any poems ABOUT Fife that you would like published on my site, please go to this page - Share Scottish Poetry and follow the guidelines.


To find a Scottish poem or songs see also the following:-

My Love is Like a Red Red Rose - This lovely romantic poem/song by Rabbie Burns.
The Collier Laddie - Believed to be one of the oldest of Fife's songs.
Address to a Haggis - Rabbie Burn's famous poem, recited at Burn's Suppers throughout the world.
Auld Lang Syne - Rabbie Burns' famous song, traditionally sung to bring in the New Year.
Poem Mary Morrison - Another love poem by Rabbie Burns. I've dedicated this page to my Aunt, also called Mary Morrison who passed away in 2007.
The Boy in The Train - This delightful poem describes one young lads arrival by train to Kirkcaldy with smell of the linoleum factories.
Titanic Poem - Answers this question followed by a poem about that tragedy written by my Grandmother (from Scotland, of course!)
Translation Auld Lang Syne - Find out what the words of Auld Lang Syne mean?
Address To A Mouse - This Poem was written when Burns disturbed a mouse’s nest when ploughing a field.
Address To The Toothache - This descriptive Poem says it all!
The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens - This ballad mentions Dunfermline, the ancient capital of Scotland.
Psalm 1 - A paraphrase of this Psalm by Rabbie Burns.
The Carls o Dysart - This Poem/song was written by Rabbie Burns on a journey through Fife.
In My Blood - This delightful wee poem was written by another Robbie whose father was from Fife. Check out this and other poems by Robbie Kennedy Bennett.
Burns Supper - Learn a bit more about a Burns Supper and get the Menu and recipe for Haggis, chappit potatoes and bashed neeps.
Hogmanay - See how we bring in the New Year in Scotland.
Scottish Custom and Traditions - Learn a bit more about some of our customs and traditions.
Language, Customs and Culture Bookstore - Browse through our Bookstore for Scots-English Dictionaries, and plenty books on the works of Rabbie Burns.

See also poems contributed by visitors:
From this window Fife I see, From All Horizons, St Andrews I'm on my way, I Love The Lomonds, Cheeseboard, The Silver Trail to Crail , This Public Bar in Ladybank, A Friendly Fife Said "Hello", They walked all the way from Glasgow, Aberdour Greets Me Kindly, A Glimpse of Gold in Kirkcaldy, Kingskettle Cemetery, The Bonnie Bonnie Sand of St Andrews Bay, Thomas Joseph Harris, The Tay Bridge Disaster, Sojourn in St Andrews, When I walked to Leven, I should have played for Ladybank Violet, The Old Scottish Stone, Collessie, The Kingdom of Fife, Lady Mary Ann, The Village of Tayport & its Surroundings, Loch Leven, Grace Before Dinner, Holy Willie's Prayer, Will Ye No' Come Back Again, The Rights of Woman, Scots Wha Hae, Tam o' Shanter, The Star o' Rabbie Burns, Robert Burns, Ae Fond Kiss, Ballade of the Royal Game of Golf, A Man's a Man for A' That, To A Louse, Cuddle Doon, Scotch Drink


Share Scottish Poetry - Poems contributed by visitors to this site. Do contribute YOUR poems and have them published on this site!

Return from Find a Scottish Poem to the Home Page

Go back to Home Page



Click the crown to return to the top of this page
Find a Scottish Poem


Available from Scotlands Enchanting Kindom


Contact Updates Home Page

Advertise with us!

Advertise with us!



Sign up in the form below for my Ezine/Newsletter called "Proclamation from the Kingdom" and receive a free gift - a mini Scottish recipes ebook.

Enter your
Email Address


Enter you
Name


Then

Don't worry
your e-mail address
is totally secure.
I promise to use it only
to send you
"Proclamation from the Kingdom".


Translate this page




Search this site or the web powered by FreeFind

Site search Web search