Here’s a wonderful old poem, written in early 1926, by a woman from the Ballymena area. It should be noted that the local newspapers of the late 1800s and early 1900s often invited their readers to submit their ‘home-made’ poetry. Thus the old newspapers are a goldmine for sourcing wonderful old verses.
Ulster-Scots Meanings
This old poem is full of Ulster-Scots words. For those not familiar, here are a few key words and their meanings.
sae – so
oot – out
tae – to
hennie – haven’t
poke – pocket
An Awkward Invitation
Being asked oot tae a party.
Sure I nearly bit my nails.
And this is just the reason—
It was past the time o’sales.
Being asked oot tae a party,
I was never sae dane in,
With no’ a shirt upon my back.
An’ nearly bare skin.
Being asked oot tae a party—
It may seem tae some good news,
But no’ just to the like me,
With these auld tattered shoes.
Being asked oot tae a party—
Mind it’s no’ just all a joke,
When ye hennie tuppence rattlin’
In your wee bit o’ a poke.
Being asked oot tae a party.
Though I’d like to see it all:
I’ll go an’ say I thought ’twas
Anither fancy ball.
Agatha
Ballymena
Ballymena Observer – Friday 26 March 1926