The language of my childhood returns once in a while
It wasn’t very “fancy”; some say it had no style
But those confusing words from my family and friends of old

Still warm my nostalgic senses and return me to the fold

​

“What about ye mucker” meant I was in a welcome place
And a “face like a pebble-dashed wall” meant I had a spotty face

C’mere I want you” meant it was time to leave my friends
And “you’re doin my head in” meant I was drivin you round the bend

​

“Aye like soup you will” just presumed you wouldn’t

And “no way Jose” meant you really couldn’t

“I’m not standing for this” didn’t mean I sat
And “being in bed with the doctor” didn’t mean I slept

​

To be “in the middle of your dinner” meant the meal had just begun

“That wane’s drivin me up the walls” referred to an over-active son

“Ach you’re lousy” gave no reference to personal hygiene
It had more to with selfishness and just being “tight” and mean

​

G’in, g’out, g’up, g’over and g’under where places you should go

And “yes” was not affirmative but a word that meant hello

Getting “joined” didn’t mean you had been parted
It was just a telling off for trouble you had started

 

There was no Celtic Tiger but many things were “cat”
And the “brew” was a place the unemployed signed at

We’re told that things are better now in many, many ways

But I liked the innocence and the language of those halcyon days