In earlier posts I may have given the impression that the Ulster Scots heritage is something less than an integral part of of European high culture (viz Ulster Scots – even more reactionary than I thought and Wee dafties -the Ulster Scots industry.)
In the light of new evidence it’s only right that I revise my earlier mistaken view which was that: “It’s a “culture” without art, literature or music. Hearing it spoken is like listening to a Glasweigian impersonating a Belfast person with a speech defect. Those who have seen its “cultural” events say that it is Scottish music and Scottish dancing performed in the north of Ireland.” This is a wrong, disrespectful and maybe even racialistic way of thinking. Why it’s now even a school subject like Maths, Science and History.
Defenders of threatened cultures everywhere owe a huge debt to Professor Billy McWilliams, Teachin’ Fella at the Ulster Scots School o’ Dancin’, Ballymena and the folk (a fine Ulster Scots word pronounced to rhyme with “volk” in Ballymoney) behind the recently launched website 1690 AN’ ALL THON which is using modern technology to prove to a hostile world that Ulster Scots is a heritage with a future. Since it’s Christmas the Professor has rendered the The Gratest Tale Iver Telt into the language of his faithers.
Chaipter Yin
1. Now it came til pass that a wee cuddy named Mary foun’ hersel’ grate wi’ a bairn and she didnae know how it came aboot. She was wile wurried aboot it, fur she was a vurgin aboot tae be married til a woodwurker by the name o’ Joe.
2. Lo, the Angle o’ the Laird came doon and spake til Mary. “Mary”, he said til her,”Dinnae be feart, fur ye are blest amongst weemen. Yer hivin a wain, but its the Laird’s. Awl folk will think yer grate but yil hiv tae call him Jaysus.”
Go raibh maith agat RO'B
Liam redux 
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