Riddles from the island of Yell.
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1954.107.2
Original Tape ID
Summary
Riddles from the island of Yell:
The fat fae England, the flour fae Spain,
Pittin together wi a shooer o rain,
Pittin in a pock [bag] and tied wi string,
Read da riddle an du'll get a ring.
Answer: plum pudding.
If du wid gaddir aa day du widna get a knieve [fist] fu. Answer: mist.
Flies fastest quhan its leg is broken. Answer: hedder cow [bunch of heather].
[Start missing] ... larum, lookit through his sheerim sharim
An I saw twa lintie whites [literally linnets] comin tae me nicky noose
An I swear on my wittam wottam
If I'd my bittem brottim
I wid mak that two lintie whities faw.
Answer: seagulls attacking domestic birds.
Oh fae da hoose they go atween two wids [woods]
An quhan dey come back they come atween two waters.
Answer: going to the well with two pails for water.
Seven feet an four lugs, a tail wiggin. Answer: a dog licking out of a pot.
Twa gray beards lyin i da sty,
Da mair dey get da mair dey cry
Da lesser dey get da stiller dey lie.
Answer: the mill grinding [millstones].
I wis comin ower da rigs [fields] o' Bressay,
I met me sister Annie,
I aff wi her heid,
I drank her bluid,
I left her body staunin.
Answer: a bottle of whisky.
Although I'm so lean that my ribs can be seen
I care not a faurdeen [farthing] for that,
Although I'm so lean that my ribs can be seen
I'm all covered with fat.
Answer: greasy bread on the gridiron.
Recording Location
County - Shetland
Parish - Yell
Island - Yell
Village/Place - Burravoe
Item Location
County - Shetland
Language
Scots
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good