Dogs and haggis

@Bushranger Cannae beat oor Rabbie when the gloamings on and a snell blast's nippin.

@helensusanswift A man if timeless wisdom and infinite wit.

@Bushranger He was; a ploughman poet with the mind of a philosopher and the humanity of a decent human being.

@helensusanswift And didn't mind the odd, wee dram.

@helensusanswift But as a ploughman, he would have been aware of the need to be careful during the Haggis migrations.

@Bushranger So I believe: so how does a bushranger come to know about an Ayrshire loon? I'd have thought the Border ballads more to your taste:
"You bold Border Ranger
Beware of your danger"
or maybe Banjo Paterson.

@Bushranger Aye, the wee buggers caused havoc in the outfields come the October rains.

@helensusanswift Yeah, they'd spook the horses and get caught in the ploughshares.

@helensusanswift Banjo for poetry, even though it's a bit too sentimental, Lawson for prose. But my mother's family came from Scotland, my father's from Wales, Gaelic blood on both sides, lol.

@Bushranger Banjo was Scots wasn't he? Or from Scottish stock anyway. I don't know Lawson - educate me, please.

@helensusanswift
Many of the Australian and American folk songs are based on melodies from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

@Bushranger Naturally, the immigrants would carry their music in their heads and hearts. It was the 'Ranger' connection I intended to convey - bushranger and border ranger, although I suspect Walter Scott's pen altered a lot. But I must ofski to work now- and find out about Lawson! XX

@helensusanswift Banjo was of Scottish and Australian ancestory, his father was Scots from Lanakshire and his mother was born here. Lawson was from Norwegian and Australian heritage. He was a contemporary of Patterson and there was some, more or less, good natured competition between them as they both wrote for the same newspaper.

Lawson was much more pragmatic than Banjo and his stories more gritty and true to life. Banjo tended to glorify the bus, Lawson pointed out the harsh realities. I'd suggest you read the story "Hungerford" by Lawson, as well as "Water Them Geraniums" and "The Bush Undertaker". I think they are all available online. A collection of short stories called "The Rising of The Court" is available online and is definitely worth a read.

Lawson was an alcoholic and was in and out of gaol and psychiatric units throughout most of his adult life, but still a great story teller. In my opinion, the best short story author this country has ever produced.

Sorry to be so fan-boi about this, but Henry is my favourite writer, in case you didn't realise it, lol.

@helensusanswift You have a bonzer day, hopefully we'll chat again.

@Bushranger I will look for him now I know something of his background. Thank you for the information!

@Bushranger thank you - you too! :-)