|
|
|
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Fa' = befall, happen or just be (Good luck to your, plump, jolly face) Sonsie = healthy, bonny Great Chieftain o' the Puddin' race! Burns is calling Haggis the Great Chieftain (the best) of the Puddings Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Above them all you take your place, Painch, tripe or thairm; (Paunch, tripe, or intestines) Paunch=1st & largest Stomach of a cud-chewing animal tripe=part of the stomach of ruminating animals when dressed & prepared for food. Weel are ye wordy of a grace Well are you worthy of a grace??? As lang's my arm. As long as my arm??? His knife see Rustic-labour dight, (knife sees labored wipe) An' cut you up wi' ready slight, Slight = sleight = deftness, skill, usually with weapons Trenching your gushing entrails bright Like onie ditch; onie=any??? And then, O what a glorious sight, Warm-reekin', rich! Warm-smoking, rich??? Ye pow'rs wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o' fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware, (wants not a watery dish) That jaups in luggies; (That splashes in bowls) But, if ye wish her gratefu' pray'r, Gie her a Haggis! Give her a Haggis! (That splashes in bowls) The point is that haggis is not watery but a good solid pudding which "sticks to the innards."
Shown in black is Robert Burn's poem. Shown in red are the parenthical explanations included in the 24 Jan 1999 post of John & Linda Douglas (jdarbyd@hom.net). Shown in green are the explanations & comments of James Green (JamesWGreen@Juno.Com). Shown in blue are the explanations in the 4 Feb 1999 post of Roger Marjoribanks (Rogmarj@compuserve.com) |
