fid 'Scad the Beggars' 
 
'Scad the Beggars'
 
 
 
Traditional Music, Song & Rhyme from North Antrim
 
 
 
   
 

Musically, North Antrim's musicians have historically listened more to the Music of Scotland, which has wafted over the airwaves across the Irish Sea, than most other parts of Ireland, with the exception of Donegal, whose music also shows a strong Scottish influence.

Through constant sea travel between the lowlands of Scotland & the coastal areas of the county, especially amongst the fishing folk, but also the many migrant workers who crossed the water for seasonal employment, songs and tunes have been traded, leading to the unique Scots Irish mix we now have in the Music of North Antrim.

  
 
This band of traditional musicians, singers & north Antrim rhymers, bring a diverse musical experience to their appreciation, & interpretation, of the music, song & rhyme enjoyed by folks throughout North Antrim.
  
 
We play the music, song & rhyme, made popular in Antrim by such local worthies as Joe Holmes of Ballymoney, Frank McCollam of Ballycastle, Alec McAllister of Glenarm & Paddy ‘Stumpy’ McLuskey of Cloughmills.
  
 
‘Scad the Beggars’ also tap into the rich resource of fine Scottish Song & Melody, which has always been popular in north Antrim, as well as making good use of the rhymes, so characteristic of the local country folk.
  
   
 
Incidentally, the expression 'Scad the Beggars', is a local term for mealie-crushie, which is oatmeal fried in bacon fat, known in Scoland as creesh-mealie - so now you know!
  
   
 

Words from one satisfied customer, after we performed for their 'Burns Night' on Woodstock Road, Belfast - January 2005.

  
 

"...Dick, the night went really well and your group was a big hit. I will definitely recommend you. Thanks Rosemary"

  
     
   
 
Meet the Band
  
     
 
 
 
( Photographs by Ciaran Kelly )
  
 
Alan Wade ...................Highland & Scottish Smallpipes
  
 
Sabine Glasgow...........Clarsach, Knee Harp, Fife & Vocals.
  
 
Gregory Gault..................Acoustic Guitar, Bouzouki & Bodhran.
  
 
Charlie Gillen.................................................North Antrim Rhymes.
  
 
Dick Glasgow............Fiddle, Concertina, Mandolin, Banjo & Hammer Dulcimer.
  
   
 
The Song
  
 
'SCAD THE BEGGARS'
  
     
 

1
WE’LL TAK YE BACK TAE GRANNY,
WAE HER SKILLET ON THE CROOK,
THE RECIPES O’ YISTERYEAR,
THEY NIVIR LEEV’T WITHIN A BOOK.

CHORUS
SCAD THE BEGGARS, MEALIE CRUSHIE,
YE CAN CA’ IT WHAT YE CAN,
OATEN MALE AN BACON CREESH,
TASTY FRYIN IN THE PAN/

  

      2

WE HANNAE GOT THE OAT MEAL,
NOR HAE WE A FRYIN PAN,
BUT WERE HERE TAE ENTERTAIN YE
WI THE SCAD THE BEGGARS BAND.

3
COME BACK IN TIME A DANNER ,
JOOST COME WAE US FOR A WHILE,
TAE HEAR THE TUNES AN SANGS AN STORIES ,
THAT ARE SURE TAE YE BEGUILE.

  
 

4
HOOCH, CLAP AN JOIN THE FUN ,
AN WATCH YER CARES A' FLEE AWA’,
AN GIN YE AW WID KEN THE CHORUS ,
THEN YE AW CAN SING AWA’ .

5
SHUT YER EEN AN DRIFT AWA ,
FOR MEMORIES O’ TIMES LANG GAN ,
ON THE SHIP O' DREAMS COME SAILIN ,
WAE THE SCAD THE BEGGARS BAND.

by Charlie Gillen

  
   
 

Charlie Gillen's CD

'Whun a' the Kye had Names'

Features the forerunners to 'Scad the Beggars', namely 'Ptarmigan'.

Find out about this CD on the 'Tapes & CDs Page'

  
 
 
  Tapes & CDs Photos from MOKMF 2005 Ulster Scots Rhymes   The Twa Charlies