Category: The Blethers O’ Barrowsgate
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The Cure-A’
Hypchondriac Tibbie swore by her many “Cure-alls” but, feeling ill, she called out the Doctor. Before he arrived, another box of potions arrived so she sent the Doctor away. The Doctor tells her that she might as well throw the rest of her potions in the fire.
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The Corp.
This verse is based on a story, recounted in “The History of the 10th Battalion AIF” by AH Limb. Flanders 1918. Two Australian soldiers evidently carrying the corpse of a mate on a stretcher were stopped by a curious officer. The officer, wishing to see the body, pulled back the groundsheet only to discover a…
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“Seein’s Believin’”
An old lady living in the remote countryside goes to visit her daughter in Aboyne and is terrified when she sees a steam train in a tunnel, thinking it is the Devil.
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Henner’s En’
Henner tries to save money by not feeding his chickens properly but the hens plot their revenge…
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The Beadle
Barrowsgate reminisces about Auld Archie, who had been the church beadle when he was a child.
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“Peter’s Wife’s Mither”
Strathbogie had to go to London on “cow business” and on Sunday morning went to the local church but the parson was ill and the young “stand-in” was hopeless. Disgusted, Strathbogie went to another church that evening and it was the same substitute preacher. On his train home to Scotland, guess who turned up in…
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“Fyles”
Sandy has had a bit too much to drink and meets the parson, who asks if he’s on his way home. Sandy replies “Fyles” (i.e. sometimes). Barrowsgate provided an English translation with notes for this one.
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The Gweed Samaritan
Dauvit likes a drink and helps a friend bury his wife (whom he had killed) with a toast of Glentackit, offering her skull a dram (from the closed bottle)
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His Character
A farmer asks Wullie for a reference before taking him on. Instead, Wullie finds out that the farmer’s reputation is not good and declines the job. Barrowsgate provided an English translation with notes for this one.