Hew Morrison Collection > Poems and songs of John MacCodrum, Archibald MacDonald, and some of the minor Uist bards

sorts of positions as if it were to get the thread back through
the keyhole. Finally he walked out of the house. Shortly
after the mistress of the house returned. Angus on meeting
her explained how the sewing thread had broken and slipped
through, and though he had placed the chest in all sorts of
positions he failed to get hold of it. The woman was in
despair. She raised her hands in horror and dismay and
said " Angus you have ruined me. My meal, my butter, my
eggs, my cream, my milk, my best dishes, were all in that
chest. I'll never get over this day's loss " ! Yes, that was
all very true, but Angus had his revenge for her unfounded
suspicions.
Angus, as stated, dearly loved a butt and he found one in
a neighbour who on account of his height was known as
'' Dòmhnull Ard " and at whom he directed all manner of
squibs and lampoons. " 1 )òmhnull Ard " was inclined to be
penurious and close fisted and, therefore, indisposed to
participate in the convivial meetings of the district. The
bard twitted him on his sordid and ungenerous disposition
in a song composed to a lively measure : —
Cha toireadh tu Dhbmhnuill Aird
Cha toireadh tu da sgillin,
Cha toireadh tu Dhbmhnuill Aird
Dad am bàids' na cloinn nighean.
This was a reference to the custom of subscribing for an
entertainment to which the young men invited the fair
maidens in whom they felt a special interest. DomhnuU Ard
also receives special mention in another song by the " Bard