SV: Burns Night, "Scotch Drink" and a difficult verse

[Ralph Katzenell]

Thank you Åke
As a translation, its perfect.
But even with this translation, the meaning is not clear.

Are the midwifes fumbling because of drink (and so drink is a bad thing)
The midwifes don't get paid, because they were incompetent, and so they can't afford the drink (and so lack of drink is a bad thing).
I just don't get the message.

Everything else has the message that Scotch Drink is good because . . . . .

Whats the message here?

Ralph




----- Original Message -----
From: Åke Johansson <ake.j-son at BREDBAND.NET>
Date: Sunday, January 21, 2007 3:50 pm
Subject: SV: Burns Night, "Scotch Drink" and a difficult verse

> Hi Ralph,
> 
> Would this be of any help:
> http://www.cobbler.plus.com/wbc/poems/translations/422.htm
> 
> Åke
> 
> -----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
> Från: MALTS-L at RZ.UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE [MALTS-L at RZ.UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE] För
> Ralph Katzenell
> Skickat: den 21 januari 2007 11:44
> Till: MALTS-L at LISTS.UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE
> Ämne: Burns Night, "Scotch Drink" and a difficult verse
> 
> Greetings all.
> Burns night is upon us once more.
> And it is my pleasant duty to give a rendition, translated into 
> English,understandable to those unfortunate souls born south of 
> the Watford gap.
> 
> My choice this year is "Scotch Drink".
> 
> And oh! The shame of it!!
> I have a problem understanding the context and "thrust" of one verse.
> Both preceeding and following verses celebrate how Scotch Drink 
> overcomesdifficuties in life.
> 
> However, this verse just seems to be a complaint against poor quality
> midwives, and notes their dismissal without payment for their bad 
> work.Where's the relationship to Scotch Drink?
> 
> . . . 
> When skirling weanies see the light, 
> Though maks the gossips clatter bright, 
> How fumblin' cuiffs their dearies slight; 
> Wae worth the name! 
> Nae howdie gets a social night, 
> Or plack frae them. 
> . . . 
> Can someone provide a good, rythmic translation into modern 
> English of just
> this verse, plus a short explanation of how it fits into the 
> context of
> preceeding and following verses.
> 
> 
> Ralph
> 
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