Song of the Day - 30th November

Today is St. Andrew’s Day so naturally our Song of the Day today is to celebrate the patron saint of Scotland.

St. Andrew holds a cherished place not only as the patron saint of Scotland but also for 21 other nations and towns. His protective embrace extends to fishermen, fishmongers, rope-makers, textile workers, singers, miners, pregnant women, butchers, farm workers, and even offers solace against ailments like sore throats, convulsions, fever, and whooping cough, as well as to the valiant souls of the Russian Navy and the US Army Rangers!

St. Andrew was one of the original twelve Apostles of Christ, a brother of St. Peter. Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross, or saltire.

Legend has it that Óengus mac Fergusa, the king of the Picts from 820 to 834, heavily outnumbered, led an army of Picts and Scots into battle against the Angles. On the eve of battle, he prayed fervently, vowing that if victory was granted to him, he would name Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland. Miraculously, on the fateful morning, white clouds formed a striking X shape in the sky, seen by Óengus and his steadfast forces as a sign of divine favour. Inspired by this apparent miracle, they bravely took to the battlefield and triumphed. True to his word, Óengus honoured his promise and proclaimed Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland.

The white saltire set against a celestial blue background is said to have been adopted as the design of the flag of Scotland on the basis of this legend.

The poem I have chosen to set is called “St. Andrew and the Haggis”. Written by James Mackintosh Kennedy (1848 – 1922) it unfolds a delightful and humorous tale about his fanciful take on the origins of the traditional Scottish dish, haggis.

Kennedy, born in Scotland in 1848, sought new horizons in America at the tender age of twenty, lured by the promise of opportunity. Studying literature in New York, he also captivated audiences as an acclaimed Highland dancer, winning numerous medals for his artistry. At just 23, he published his first book, "Jock Craufurt," a long romantic poem that showcased his remarkable talent and passion for storytelling.

Get the music for this song for free - find out how here.

St. Andrew and the Haggis

By James Mackintosh Kennedy

Ae time Saunt Andrew—honest carl,—

When on his travels through the warl’,

He fand himsel’ in great distress

In Macedonia's wilderness

Grim hunger gnawed his wame within,

The cauld sleet soaked him to the skin;

An' buffeted wi’ winds unruly,

He lookit like a tattie-dooly;

An' trauchled ae way or anither,

Tint cowl and bauchles a'thegither,

An' skelp'd on barefit through the gloom

In patient, perfect martyrdom.

A' shivering like a droukit mouse,

He halted at the halfway house,

An' spreading out his open palms

Fu' meekly beggit for an alms.

The landlord steer'd na frae the bit,

But e'ed the Saunt frae head to fit,

An' said: "You idle, gangrel crew,

Coarse crumbs should sair the like o' you;

I set ye doun this bill o' fare—

The shakin's o' the meal-pock there,—

Some harigalds, an' sic-like trash,

That puir fowk use for makin' hash;—

Tak' them, an’ mixed wi’ creeshie dreep,

Boil in the stammack o' a sheep;

An' gin your greedy gab be nice,

There's ingans an' a shak' o' spice;—

Fa' to, —mak' guid use o' your time,

An' ken the rift o' stappit wame."

The Saunt in silence—shivering, cauld,

Made up the mess as he was tauld;

An' bent him canny owre the pot,

An' render' d thanks for a' he got;

An' ate his meal wi' cheerfu' grace,

An' never thraw'd his honest face!

An' aye sin' syne on Andrew's nicht

We see this extraordinar' sicht,—

How social Scots owre a' the warl'

Will leave the fu' cog an' the barrel,

An' smack their lips, an' rive like mad,

At sic a dish as Andrew had.

An' 'gainst the pangs o' flesh an' bluid

They'll roose it up an' ca' it guid,

Though feeling in their heart's ain gloom

Some pangs o' Andrew's martyrdom!

Translation:

Wame: the belly

Tattie-dooly: scarecrow

Trauchle: fatiguing exertion

Tint: lost

Bauchles: old shoes

Skelpit: beat with open hand

Droukit: drenched

Gangrel: wandering person

Pock: a bag

Creeshie: greasy

Ingans: onions

Rift: to belch

Stappit: stopped, filled

Syne: then

Cog: a wooden dish

Rive: tear

Roose: praise

Harigalds: heart, liver and lights (lungs) of an animal