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Aald Boat

John Peterson

Doo minds dee, whan da wind stöd wast,
I’d lay twa linns, and rin dee doon,
An tak a stane, an step dy mast,
An had dy head fir oot da soon’.

We’d land is doon by Heljer Gjo,
An bare tak time ta mak dee fast,
Saw weel kent we foo aa da voe
Wis scanned whan winds held fae da wast.

Aald boat, doo’s i’dy last noost noo,
Da waandrin sea nae mair doo’ll ken,
Nae mair sall I, dy capten, crew,
Set up dy aald broon sail agen.

Bit tho, fir is, oot ower da voe,
Nae lingrin, lanesome look is cast
Saft rins da sea in Heljer Gjo,
And saft da wind blaas fae da wast.


John Peterson

from Streets and Starlight (1923)

Reproduced by permission of the family of John peterson

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sailing Shetlandic Shetlandic ships and boats
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John Peterson1895 - 1972

Shetland poet and photographer John (Jack) Peterson was strongly influenced by his experience of the First World War, particularly the Battle of the Somme;  the conflict continued to haunt his later writings.
More about John Peterson

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