Twin brothers Rab and Tam cause havoc in the Tornaveen area. They stole the postman’s hens and let them loose in the church during a service. The ministers chase the birds from pew to pew through the church. They eventually grow up and possibly meet their end in Flanders (it’s not clear whether Barrowsgate is referring to himself or the twins).
Note: The Tullochgorum referred to in the verse is a famous old Scottish dance tune with which Barrowsgate would have been very familiar. The Reverend John Skinner, who had lived in Echt – next door to the Balcarres Arms Hotel, where Barrowsgate was later brought up – added words to the tune.