Best Skellum Poems
Nay greet for me, I yet live
ne'er was I a bairn to ye
mind me ere I once were
when drouthy neibors met
t'were to tak a dram or two
then tak the gate
na think on lang miles
nor of sulky dame
as frae her ye flee 'd
na catch'd wi' a skellum
blethering lik a blellum
ah lass na greet for me
by the auld haunt kirk
auld Nick a towzie tyke
nay catch'd this bogle
who scre'd the pipes and
gart them all a skirl
til skies a' did dirl
an in cauld hand held a candle
his ain soul now bereft
bides her lass, nay greet for me
translation
Do not cry for me, I yet live
never was I a baby to you
mind me as I once was
when thirsty neighbours met
it was to share a dram or two
then take the road home
do not think of long miles
nor of sullen wife
as from her you fled
not to be caught as a waster
rambling like a boaster
do not cry for me lass
by the old haunted church
Old Nick a shaggy dog
could not catch this ghost
who screwed the pipes
and make them squeal
until the heavens all ring
and in his hand a candle held
his ain soul now bereft
bides her, lass do not cry for me