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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CALLER HERRIN', by CAROLINA OLIPHANT NAIRNE Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Wha'll buy my caller herrin'? Last Line: Truth will stand when a' thing's failin'. Alternate Author Name(s): Lady Nairne; Oliphant, Carolina; Nairne, Baroness Subject(s): Herring; Salespersons; Selling | |||
WHA'LL buy my caller herrin'? They're bonnie fish and halesome farin': Wha'll buy my caller herrin', New drawn frae the Forth? When ye were sleepin' on your pillows, Dreamed ye aught o' our puir fellows -- Darkling as they faced the billows, A' to fill our woven willows? Wha'll buy my caller herrin'? They're no brought here without brave darin': Buy my caller herrin', Hauled through wind and rain. Wha'll buy my caller herrin'? Oh, ye may ca' them vulgar farin', -- Wives and mithers, 'maist despairin', Ca' them lives o' men. When the creel o' herrin' passes, Ladies, clad in silks and laces, Gather in their braw pelisses, Cast their heads, and screw their faces. Caller herrin's no got lightly; Ye can trip the spring fu' tightly; Spite o' tauntin', flauntin', flingin', Gow has set you a' a-singin'. Neebour wives, now tent my tellin' When the bonnie fish ye're sellin', At ae word be in your dealin', -- Truth will stand when a' thing's failin'. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BUSINESS LIFE by DAVID IGNATOW BUYING AND SELLING by PHILIP LEVINE 1X1 (ONE TIMES ONE): 9 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS THE RAZOR-SELLER by JOHN WOLCOTT THE JOY-VENDER by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN THE LAIRD O' COCKPEN by CAROLINA OLIPHANT NAIRNE |
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