a Scottish Bard

Scottie Bowman (rbowman@indigo.ie)
Wed, 29 Sep 1999 08:13:08 +0100 

    MacGonnagal lived much of his life in my own native 
    town, Dundee, where his memory is greatly revered.  
    I wonder how many North Americans know his work?

    For a proper appreciation, the poetry needs to be spoken 
    aloud in the kind of cultured Scots accent affected by 
    Billy Connolly or myself.  (Connolly produced at least 
    one brilliant TV programme on the oeuvre.)

    Only when heard through the genteel sieve of posh 
    Scots lips do his greatest lines take on their real power:

    'This is Dundee toon - wi'oot a doot,
    For there is the Albert Institoot.'

    or,

    'The Tay!  The Tay!
    It comes up tae Dundee
    Twice a day.'

    Scottie B.