Document 643

Dipper: 31 - Girnin Beardies

Author(s): Dr James A Begg

Copyright holder(s): Dr James A Begg

On warm simmer days awa frae schule,
We played on the banks o the Rocky Puil,
Whaur, wearit wi ower much divin an doukin,
We'd pou on some claes an skive aboot luikin
For the flouer wi uised tae girn Beardies.

Few kent it by name, juist kent by sicht,
- Wha caad it a Ragwort micht aiblins be richt!
We'd grup it an pou it clean oot by the ruits
That were lang, thin an white, an nae uise for troots
- But they made a grand girn for the Beardies.

We'd strip aa the leaves frae tap tae fuit,
Syne snip aff aa but the langest ruit -
That we'd twist roun aboot in a slidin knot,
An 'Boab's yer uncle', whit hae ye got
- But a girn for catchin Beardies!

The wee specklt troot is baith skeich an smert,
Ae splash o a fuit an awa he'll dert,
But the puir wee Beardie a-wantin brains,
Hauds-in deid still amang the stanes
- For that's aye the wey wi Beardies.

As he lays in the watter - shammin deid,
We draw the girn cannily ower his heid,
An set it juist richt, doun ahint his lug,
Then a flick o the wrist - we'll gie it a rug
- An wi luck we hae girnt a Beardie!

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skive/roam
girn/snare
beardie/stone loach

Information about Document 643

Dipper: 31 - Girnin Beardies