Scottish Poetry Selection
- John Frost
"Jack Frost" is referred to here in the more formal "John" in this poem by William Miller. But the impact on the landscape - and the population - is just the same.
John Frost
You've come early to see us this year, John Frost,
Wi your crispin an poutherin gear, John Frost;
For hedge, tower, an tree, as far as I see,
Are as white as the bloom o the pear, John Frost.You've been very preceese wi your wark, John Frost,
Altho ye hae wrocht in the dark, John Frost;
For ilka fit-stap frae the door to the slap
Is braw as a new linen sark, John Frost.There are some things aboot ye I like, John Frost,
An ithers that aft gar me fyke, John Frost;
For the weans, wi cauld taes, cryin 'shoon, stockins, claes' !
Keep us busy as bees in the byke, John Frost.An to tell you I winna be blate, John Frost,
Our gudeman stops oot whiles rather late, John Frost,
An the blame's put on you, if he gets a thocht fou,
He's sae fleyed for the slippery lang gate, John Frost.Ye hae fine goins-on in the north, John Frost
Wi your houses o ice, an sae forth, John Frost;
Tho their kirn's on the fire, they may kirn till they tire,
But their butter - pray what is it worth, John Frost?Meaning of unusual words:
poutherin gear=powdering equipment
wrocht=worked, laboured
ilka=every
slap=opening in a hedge or fence
sark=shirt
gar me fyke=makes me troubled
byke=hive
blate=timid
gudeman=husband, master of the house
fleyed=afraid
kirn=churn
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?