I Must Awa

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Example for "In Their Voice" Historical poetry contest (Writing a poem in the voice of someone in history, real or imagined) The Battle of Culloden was a turning point in the war between Scotland during the Jacobite uprising of 1746. Many lost their lives and more than that, their way of life after this battle. ANGUS is an imagined person as well as the poem, yet I can imagine there were poems like this at that time. <3

I must awa and sorrowful be, I must awa and take leave of thee. My bonnie wee lass who holds me so near, I'll soon return to ye, my Bonnie, my dear. I must awa to Culloden to be sure, to battle the sassenach or we'll be nay more. I must awa with musket and bow, I must awa, awa from me home. Oh aye, I do ken what awaits me there. Oh aye, I do ken I'll miss ye rua hair. With tartan and plaid they'll ken the Mackree I must awa, mo rún, to fight for thee. ~ In the voice of: Angus Michael James Mackree The battle of Culloden, 16th April 1746

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David Crandall

Date: 1/22/2025 1:27:00 PM

I love the dialect. It reminds me of a folk song.

Crystol Woods
Date: 1/23/2025 7:15:00 AM

Thanks David! Xo

Ink Empress

Date: 1/22/2025 10:59:00 AM

Ive been watching outlander, so the language used here is so very familiar and fitting for the description youv stated on top! Profound write! Well delivered too with sublime rhymes, pleasure reading this! Sending you light always

Crystol Woods
Date: 1/23/2025 7:15:00 AM

That's my favorite book series ever! The series was really good too, one of the best book to screen conversions I've seen. Thanks so much! Xo

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/18/2025 11:03:00 PM

Thanks for the example. Gosh. How does one research language patterns? I think I would be horrible at that. But it's still a really good writing challenge and I hope I can think something up!

Tom Woody
Date: 1/22/2025 4:39:00 PM

Thou couldst if thou choseth to

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 1/19/2025 9:47:00 PM

Oh. I could never do Shakespeare. Haha!

Crystol Woods
Date: 1/19/2025 11:34:00 AM

I think when we read the writings, poems, dairies, ect from history, we can get some idea of the patterns of speech. Shakespeare has so many that probably imitate the way some people actually spoke, at least somewhat. It doesn't need to be perfectly accurate, just hinting at it. I hope you do try it and I know you'll do well! Xo

Arlo Parker

Date: 1/18/2025 3:41:00 PM

Clever, poignant, and stellar pacing. CDub. Was almost in Scotland, 1746. :o))

Crystol Woods
Date: 1/18/2025 6:24:00 PM

Sweet! I've done some reading that sparked my interest. Thanks for the uplifting comment! Xo

Tom Woody

Date: 1/18/2025 12:42:00 PM

I love Scottish/Irish/Celtic stuff. I once did a three part epic on Beowulf complete with narration and ancient Celtic music. I'm not familiar enough with the expressions to rate this but I'm gonna give ya kudos anyway

Crystol Woods
Date: 1/18/2025 6:27:00 PM

Kewl...;) Rua means red headed, sassenach is a derogatory name for the English, meaning outlander, and mo rún means my heart. Ty for coming by! Xo