Rhynie

Tom Spiers: Another standard from the early days of Aberdeen Folk Song Club, where it was sung regularly by people like Jimmy McBeath and Norman Kennedy. It’s the story of a farmer’s son getting a hard lesson from his father - pull your weight or move on. Rhynie is in hard, crofting country in the Highlands of Aberdeenshire south of Huntly. (GD 3:348; Roud 2136)

Tom (vocal) with Pete (melodeon and vocal) and Arthur (vocal)

1: At Rhynie I sheared my first hairst, [harvest
Near tae the fit o Bennachie; [foot
And ma maister wis richt ill tae sit, [hard to suit
But laith wis I tae lose ma fee. [loath

Chorus:
Linten addie tooran addie,
Linten addie tooran ae O;
Linten addie tooran addie,
Linten addie tooran ae.

2: Noo Rhynie’s wark it’s ill tae wark, [hard to work
An Rhynie’s wages are but sma;
Aye, an Rhynie’s laws they’re double stric, [strict
An that’s fit grieves me maist of aa. [fit=what

3: Well Rhynie it’s a cauld clay hole,
It’s naethin like ma faither’s toun; [farm
Aye, an Rhynie’s sic a hungry place.
It disnae suit a lowland loon. [lad

4: Noo I hae wrocht and I hae focht, [worked,fought
An I hae won ma penny fee;
Aye, I an I’ll ging back the gate I cam, [gate=way
An a better bairnie I will be. [child

Chorus:
Linten addie tooran addie,
Linten addie tooran ae O;
Linten addie tooran addie,
Linten addie tooran ae.