A Toast Tae The Daft Days- a poyum by Len Pennie for LIDL

Lidl asked me tae write a festive wee poyum in Scots tae tell the story of the Daft Days. This is the time between Xmas day and Hogmanay- the original 12 days of Christmas. It's a poyum for everyone, Scot or not, and I'm so excited tae finally share it wae yous all.
I was inspired by 'The Daft Days' by Robert Fergusson, it was such a privilege tae be asked tae take part in this amazing project. The Scots language is so close tae ma heart and being able tae write and recite in it has been a truly magical experience. Thanks tae Lidl for supporting the Scots Language and the arts in Scotland.
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Love, Lennie x

[@RevHengSure]

We knew her when. Predicting a massively wider audience for this gifted and loving, fierce and punny defender of the Scots tongue. This flaming scarlet rhyming rocket has launched!

[@jennifer7685]

2 years later, I’m a fan. I’ll try and gather more people, because she’s a fantastic role model.

[@jimperkins1010]

I just love this young lady. I have never been into poetry but I she has given me a whole new perspective on it.

[@Speedlobster]

I love so much what you are doing❤. You are a wonderful woman on the important mission to support and share your cultural heritage. What better can one person do? I come from Germany with a big heart for Scotland. Don't get bogged down by the ignorant!

[@memully]

Miss Penny Len, Yet again, You charm us with your words. Around the world and beyond, Your poems should be heard. For me you are the best, A cut above all the rest. This bonnie lass with hair like fire, Leaves me with just one desire, To hear her poems, to hear her words, It’s her great poetry that must be heard. If Robbie Burns was alive today, I wonder what he’d say? I am sure your poems would please his ear, He’d be so proud to hear, Poems in his native tongue, Kept alive by one so young. If mi da’ was still alive, Your poems would have filled him with pride. To hear his native tongue being kept alive, The Scottish language must survive. Thank you Penny, for your poems, for me it’s no mystery, Your poems will go down in history. Like “Auld Lang Syne”, one day your poems will be sung. By those who love the Scottish tongue.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I adore your poems! Such passion and meaning. Would you be willing to put the text in the description? I'd like to practice some of these poems as I learn Scots. Keep up the amazing work! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ♥️

[@AAMacKenzie]

Len... I found mesell near weeping by the second to last stanza -- so powerful is your poyum and delivery -- and then roared with laughter, after your last rhyme. Yours is a true "taonga" (gift). Keep it up, wee lass -- you're the greatest!

[@margosaur]

Beautiful poyum, and I'm a huge fan of the seaside setting :)

[@robertahearne423]

2020 has brought so much that is grim - but then again, YOU appeared, a bright shining star in the firmament. THANK YOU, warrior Scots poet, for sharing your blessed, messy self with us all.

[@jonathanantikontrol]

All The way from Finland I fully support you . Your poyums touch My heart and soul. They bring a tear to My eye and you make me proud tae Be Scottish again ... Slainte Mhath ! .. you inpspie me as A poet myself canny lass . Donnae listen to dafties who write shite aboot you Hen , carry on proudly. Yer Poyums are deid bonnie! I will show them tae my ain wee wein next time He Rurik Roberts is aroond :)

[@lisaspaeth5371]

This is still my most very favorite poem. I was so hoping it would be in your book. Please put it in your next one.

[@lovinedinburgh]

Scottish is a poem for the ears itself

[@katesmith3034]

WOW ! ... I’ve just lost a whole morning immersed in your words, in my real mother tongue ... I couldn’t breathe after I listened to 40 Seconds, but every one is a stunner. Now I’ve subscribed I’m patiently waiting for more. The best Scottish poetry I’ve heard in a very long time, especially for young women ! ( not me I’m afraid 😳😜 ) Thank you 🙏

[@Kristy_not_Kristine]

❤ all things Scottish! Been following and learning about my McRae heritage. SGURR UARAN!!!

[@DeviantOllam]

In the US we used to always call the daft days "nothing time" But definitely "daft days" is awesome ☺️👍💚

[@caitlinmiller]

In England, it's 'silly season':-).

[@mtlwoman]

Beautiful sound of my ancestors. Love it!

[@bobsimpson4298]

Thanks so much for posting this wee gem, Miss PP. It's so cleverly written, with the last phrase and the wink the icing on the cake, although the full significance might be lost on many non-Scots? I've been an exiled expat Scot for 47 years, but all my pals will get a link to this clip in time for Hoggers tonight!

[@alharron2145]

Really lovely tribute, beautifully spoken & filmed. Goan yersel quine!

[@bobbryce8674]

Beautifully done Len. Inspirational in these times. A honour to share both Fife and Scotland with you.

[@DeAardappel]

This girl's got to stop, she's dangerous. We're all in danger of losing our hearts to that voice and prose.

[@spiveym]

I understood it without knowing exactly what you said. I got maybe 60% Beautiful language. Great job.

[@aaloha2902]

Love the Scots language. Thank you for honoring your culture and sharing it with the world! 💕🌺

[@metalplane3]

I'm not an avid fan of the poem, but she is so good I have to re-evaluate my soul.

[@andrewsharpe2587]

Wonderful. I get a real Burns feeling from this.

[@justanomad6764]

I love the scots lingo. Long live Scotland!

[@liammcconnell2399]

Wow, that's beautiful. Thank you.

[@peterrusschen2355]

You are so good at this! I wish you all the best for the year to come!

[@LizTiddington]

Absolutely gorgeous words, and thanks to your word of the day, I understood most of them 😅

[@bombshelltilly8577]

Beautiful poem and i only half understand the meaning but you recited so well. From a Shanghainese in Edinburgh.

[@hamishrobison5014]

Came for this, stayed for everything else you’ve done, lovely and powerful

[@user-nx8ii4ef7f]

So much in that young head!

[@lenroz]

As always, beautifully woven together and your performance is wonderful. Looking forwards to reading/hearing more of your work!

[@mstephenson99]

When I am low, when I need a lift, when my time left looms on me, I listen to this. And I smile and life goes on. I'll be in Scotland in two weeks. December. Perfect time to coorie doon.

[@benrozner3353]

thank you for reading this i am from a foreign country and its much appreciated!

[@davidbrannan7749]

I absolutely LOVE this! I stumbled across it purely by accident while searching for someone reading the Fergusson piece. I wish I could have written this!

[@shirleyogilvie1]

Brilliant so inspiring !

[@jorispattyn9690]

I love the way you're reciting your poems - I will not attempt to write what would be fake Scottish in my case, and neither pretend I understand everything - but what I understand is really great. Would love that more Scottish people would take their ways to heart as you do. Love to listen!

[@AndySnap]

Never mind your million pound animations and movies, this is Christmas, beautifully told...

[@robertdavidson7201]

Just saw this today, and what a great poem, lass.

[@beccarobertsonn]

I come back to watch this every year at this time, thanks for all of the beautiful work you put into the world! Long may your lum reek, Len!

[@tomjahnes7811]

Thank you for your poems!

[@AndyB1286]

Well done 🙂 I dinna ken Scots but I'm learning the Gaelic.

[@TheBlaert]

As someone from the North of Ireland I can understand this perfectly. Great stuff. Subbed

[@alcapone4434]

Lol i love it ❤ girl😊

[@dahlia1466]

Beautiful

[@waleednaesa9414]

The way you recite itself is a poem, your tunes , your gestures, the way you smile, this is not one poem but a pile.

[@Santyago1966]

I keep coming to this poyum once and again. Such a lovely piece of Art. Thnaks a lot! From far awa, Argentina

[@robertconnolly1056]

Brilliant Hen, Keep it up, you bring the life and soul of the mither tongue back to where it should be :)

[@PaarProductions]

Well done.

[@roblowe9283]

Please more Scottish poems !

[@kyletmorton8343]

Beautifully said, my plan/dream is to move to Skye and be part of the land, rock and grass that is home

[@rogerherts]

Thank you. :)

[@chriscody1761]

Loved it, brought back mony memories x

[@tevyedelara]

This lass is plain brilliant.

[@davehadgraft9843]

So glad I found this. Pure brilliant.

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

Wish we could take Len Pennie back to the 1960s/70s in the Tardis : In those says Scots language poets seemed like a dying breed, who could have guessed there would be a 21st Century revival?

[@choicey2748]

Brilliant just brilliant.. x

[@250GTOAJ]

I Love This! Happy New Year 😀👍🇨🇦

[@CamsCampbell]

That brought a wee tear to my eye ngl

[@janicekrieger1922]

I just greet, my ain tongue, sic a poyum!

[@davidbuchanan6943]

Just wonderful. David

[@louiejovantellez9081]

I love this. You don't need to translate anyone who loves your accent and scottish slang as much as I do can understand.

[@luscious.centauri.iridium7343]

It ain't slang it's an actual language, hope that info will stop the disrespectfulness

[@drrd4127]

@LusciousCentauriMeridiem Relax, he is not being disrespectful and I am Scottish and grew on scots, he is not Disrespectful

[@philcoventry9318]

Thank you, made my day

[@lizcharles8475]

Wow, that was brilliant!

[@jp00349]

I'm in love

[@caitlinmiller]

Outstanding!

[@samnation9887]

Nice 👍

[@andyprovo]

Such a Bonnie lass

[@MrMayAllDay]

I have taken great interest in your poetry in recent weeks. Not sure if you are familiar with the classical music tradition of “art song” (which is simply setting poetry to music). While your words do NOT need anyone’s help to make them sing, I would take great pleasure in setting a piece of your poetry. Your raw style reminds me of poetry often set by the Australian composer Percy Grainger. Check out: “Ye Banks and Braes O’ Bonnie Doon”, “Scotch Strathspey & Reel”, “The Three Ravens”. Let me know if the idea is of any interest!

[@MTBScotland]

Beautiful 👍

[@graemetimoney7002]

Thanks for that an aw the best .

[@astrothsknot]

Wan o mah pals in mah story tellen group staitit readen yir poyums in oor group. A'm no yin fir poyetry, bit A'll mak an exception fir ye. Seein as yir daein it in Scots, thyr's no enough o yon.

[@abdiver12]

I barely understood a damn word but that was beautiful.

[@MarkGreenmantle]

So good.

[@Rikekahere]

I like it ! , You are very beautiful but I really like your accent ! :)

[@LordCivers]

It's more a language than an accent but aye, Scots is beautiful !

[@Rikekahere]

@@LordCivers yes I know ! but thank you for telling me that

[@thespectator775]

Video bloggers speaking Scots..i didn't even expect they exist.

[@j.keezer]

👏 👏 👏 👏

[@justtheworstever7316]

(in Homer Simpson voice) mmmmm phone turkey

[@tawnymacleod4022]

Did you say Papaw? As in Grandpa or grand father? I’m of Scottish🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 lineage but my family came to the Southern States Of American

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

Papa. It's a term for grandfather

[@tawnymacleod4022]

I was thinking I heard the word “ Papaw” I know the definition for a number of words used for grand father! Papa, Pappy, Pa, Paw, Papaw grandpa, Gramps, I was actually more interested in what I thought I had heard “Papaw” my family is from Scotland where first settlers in colonial America! There are the infused of our Southern accents!

[@Heimrik01]

Hello Pennie, I'm discovering your channel, are you talking in glaswigian dialect ?

[@AlexThomson-EasternApproaches]

I believe she’s from near Glasgow but moved as a child to Fife in the east of Scotland, which has a different form of the Scots language. In any case, this poetry is in more classic Scots (largely of the west-central type) and is not in urban Glaswegian, which is rather different in vocabulary and pronunciation.

[@pegasus9280]

What's not tae like?

[@lookis4879]

Nihse hwight seowstre

[@unitariansinedinburgh6719]

Hello, my name is Peter, and I'm Minister of Unitarians in Edinburgh, St. Mark's Unitarian Church, and we'd love to play your wee poyum via screenshare on our Zoom Christmas Day service. May we have your permission to do so? It's wonderful. To learn about us (and to connect) see: www.edinburgh-unitarians.org.uk/contact And you are very welcome to us on Christmas Day online! With thanks, Peter.

[@misspunnypennie]

Of course Peter, Merry Christmas. X

[@sheldonlocke9584]

French is fine, but there's no more romantic tongue than Scots.