Scots poem of the month - November and December 2005

The Biggers For George Philp We are the biggers, puir buggers, the lads that pits ruifs owre yer heids: we're brickies an jyners an sclaters, an plumbers an penters an spreids; we're drivers o dumpers an hyst men, cley-davies an humphers o hudds, we're dargers an daft barriegadgies, in wellies an glaury auld duds. We are the biggers, puir buggers, that shivs up yer ceilins an waas, ti keep yer heid dry when it's rainin, an keep yer erse warm when it snaas. Taptaes alang scaffoldin battens, or doun i the grun howkin pitts, wi the stour o cement an o timmer, in wir sweit an wir bluid an wir spits. We are the biggers, puir buggers, that pits the flairs unner yer feet; wha tyauve in aa wins an aa wathers, in the het an the cauld an the weet. Thae artichokes, draughtsmen an siclike, micht craw that they've biggit yer hame, but dinna tak tent o thae buggers - it's the biggers that bigg't it - no thaim! By David C Purdie Poem supplied by the Scottish Poetry Library

About the poet David C Purdie is a grandfather. He began writing poetry and short stories quite late in life, inspired by his daughter who was writing at school. His best and most successful work is in Scots and is largely influenced by his background as a time-served joiner. He has been published in various magazines and anthologies, been recorded by Scotsoun and won numerous prizes in local and national competitions.

The inspiration behind the poem David says The Biggers was inspired by hearing George Philp of Scotsoun speaking about how, as far as Scots is concerned, there are 'biggers' and 'buggers'. People, that is, who want to promote and preserve the Scots tongue and people who are hell bent on decrying it and doing it damage. He left his audience in little doubt as to which camp he was in and he had my wholehearted support. As the words 'biggers' and 'buggers' birled round my head, I thought about my own background in the building trade, and the poem began to take shape. Although it is about building workers rather than the sort of people George was talking about, he inspired it and I dedicated it to him. He was kind enough to include it, along with another nine of my poems on Scoutsoun's first CD, Tak 5 Tak 50'. A copy of this CD is held by the Scottish Poetry Library.

If you have enjoyed this poem you can borrow a range of poetry from the Scottish Poetry Library, who also lend by post. Telephone 0131 557 2876 or email reception@spl.org.uk. For an online catalogue, poetry events listings and more featured poems, please visit the Scottish Poetry Library website.