Title
Auld Ronald: a well-known local character, and other rhymes
Alternative Title
Tis an ill wind that blaws naebody gweed
My mither tongue
Publisher
Aberdeen: Printed for the author
Is Part Of
Chapbook #7 in a bound collection of 17 chapbooks
Abstract
A collection of four ballads, mostly humorous. The first is a satirical ballad about a local figure named Auld Ronald who appears to be well-known around Aberdeen. He is humorously portrayed as scantily clad, poor, and possibly a bit crazy, although he appears to be able to talk on many topics at length, including philosophy and cooking. The ballad also describes several of the supposed inventions that he has created throughout his lifetime, such as a specially designed stove, type-writer, shoes, and even a gag for old scolding women. The second song is a humorous account claiming that “’Tis an Ill Wind That Blaw’s Naebody Gweed [Good]” by describing bad things that happened to people that others benefitted from. The third song is an ode to the author’s ‘mither [mother] tongue’. He describes its role in his own life, growing up speaking it with friends and family, as well as its connections to kin abroad, and its beauty in songs sung past and present. It is not immediately clear if the author is referring to Gaelic (which is not mentioned by name) or to Scots, which the song is written in. The final song is addressed to the Scottish Volunteers, and spends most of its time describing the beauty, history, and heroism of Scotland and those who fight to defend it. This chapbook is part of a collection of chapbooks produced in Aberdeen which have been bound together in this volume.
Subject
Courtship and Marriage
emigration
Religion and Morals
Wit and Humor
War
Chapbooks - Scotland - Aberdeen
Source
Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, Guelph, Ontario
Rights
In the public domain; For high quality reproductions, contact Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph libaspc@uoguelph.ca 519-824-4120 Ext 53413
Contributor
Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
]]>