> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nigel Gatherer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: 18 October 2001 21:03
> To: Scots-L Posting
> Subject: [scots-l] Wha Saw the Forty Second etc
>
>
> I have known the following rhyme for many years:
>
> Wha saw the Forty-Second,
> Wha saw them gang awa?
> Wha saw the Forty-Second,
> Marching doon the Broomielaw
>
> I was speaking to an old whistler last week and we played the tune used
> for the rhyme, "Wha Wadna fecht for Charlie?". He then started singing:
>
> Wha saw the tattie howkers,
> Wha saw them gang awa?
> Wha saw the tattie howkers,
> .......... the Berwick Law?
>
> I believe it may originate as "hawkers", based on Irish potato sellers.
>
I've heard many variants of this. However, I think the correct word here
is actually "howkers", from the Scots verb "howk", meaning "to dig".
It's interesting that this should come up this week, as many schools in
Scotland are on their October Week holiday. This was originally the
"tattie howkin'" week and I know several people who remember doing this.
They probably called it "Potato Excavating" or some such Anglicism in
Edinburgh.
Regards,
Ted
Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music & Culture List - To
subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
