Tapselteerie is Scots for “topsy turvy” or “in disarray”. The Scottish Governments 2009 year of homecoming events encouraged ex-pats to return and spend their money. Announced as a celebration of Rabbie Burns 250th birthday I muse over what our National Bard would have made of it all.
The sky was blue, the field in view
All fading greens and yellows O
When by a falling crystal stream
The autumn leaves came drifting O
Chorus
For the world is now, and the world was then
What comes next will come and go
The best laid schemes o’ mice and men
They a’ go tapselteerie O
Such were the pleasures he enjoyed
Twas all those long long years ago
Two hundred and fifty years gone by
Gin he was but a bairnie O
(Chorus)
Oh were he free to social join
Wid he be blithe and merry O
Feast the food, and drink the wine
Be a chairmer wi’ the ladies O
(Chorus)
Or would he play a mournful air
A sad lament, with quivering bow
A broken heart, a soul laid bare
Tae set our hearts a beating O
(Chorus)
Or wid he aim some witty prose
At fools who get dressed up for show
They strut and stare, aloof they pose
Our wealth safe in they’re keeping O
(Chorus)
For such were the pleasures he enjoyed
Twas all those long long years ago
Two hundred and fifty years gone by
Gin he was but a bairnie O
The sky is blue, the field in view
All fading greens and yellows O
When by a falling crystal stream
The autumn leaves come drifting O