Celebrating the remarkable contributions of Annie Shirer to folklore in the publications of the Rymour Club of Edinburgh.

Here are just a few of the pages of rhymes Annie sent to Alan Reid, Secretary of The Rymour Club. The club members were much delighted by Annie's 'budgets' of contributions.

Six of her accompanying letters are held by the National Library of Scotland, and the texts are to be added here.

Here is the first page of a letter in Doric Annie sent to Alan Reid, Secretary of The Rymour Club.

Six of her accompanying letters are held by the National Library of Scotland, the texts are given below..

ANNIE'S LETTERS TO Alan Reid of Kirriemuir

Loch Cottage
Kininmonth
Mintlaw
Aberdeenshire

4/1/1
My Dear Frien
I now beg to thank you more fully for the bonnie things ye sent me. It was far too kin, both of Mrs Reid + yourself, the comforter “was juist the very thing I wanted, altho ‘it is so pretty’ that it winna gang on ilka wey . Please tell ‘er that it’s my favourite colour an I am awfu ‘pleased wi’ it.
Thanks also to yourself - for your oft repeated kindness, yes I like pictures + + yon anes are to get a place of honour on my new bookcase. I suppose ye’ll hae gotten the New Year ‘a bye’ + this is ‘Auld Yule Nicht’ nae muckle (wird) oot noo, even in the country. An as the Highlandman said, ‘the sowens are gie dry aiten’. ‘We kint little odds o ony oot, we’ve gotten the (hurry/ hearty?) some bye’, but marriages + Christmas entertainments.
So it’s jist the common wark noo, an we can ca ‘mair cannie’. I’ve just spring cleaned a bitie the day (‘the but ‘en’) an tae clean the ‘ben’ the morn, that will fit tae April (‘gin a be weel’) + it’ll get a ‘richt shiel oot sune’.
Uncle is much about the same, how he lives + endures so much is a mystery to me, but, a strong constitution, combined with careful nursing, brings him through the successive bad turns ‘Guid kens’ but I can hardly ‘win the length o mysel noo’. Maggie winna bide wantin me (nor yet him either). So I’ve ‘gien up my lang roads’ for a time. ‘They’re worth nae weel that can bide nae wae’. We made ‘hay while the sun shined’. I were a the better o that the day.
Weel here’s some things for Rhymour, ‘it’s the constant drap that wears the stane’’ + my ‘gie’less shakins’, but I’ll manage a time or twa yet, an fegs the writin is whiles like tae gang ower me but while there’s a will there’s a way. An so seeing I was writing to Gavin the day I got yer letter, I passed on the hint tae nae forget ye, I hae some bitties o poetry frae him lang sune. An he’s nearly killed wi wark o ae kin or anither
I am awful taen up wi the Sangs O The Heatherlan’. An uncle bids me tell ye it’s the ‘Sabbath Bell’ that’s the best ane, I like them a. Altho I canna sae naething aboot the seasons yet, for I only got a glance o them, there is a young doctor at Christmas holidays, cam in to see uncle, saw the bookie + pleaded for 10 days o’t, so I’ll nae got it back for a day or two. Only I ken he’ll take care o’t, + his folk has been friens for the past 30 years.
Ye’ll be seein the provost, an Mr Geddie maybe. Will ye convey my thanks tae baith – for their kindness. Ye’ve a been ower mindful + fat dis the provost tell me, think ye, that he hopes to be back neist simmer. ’Are ye pleased because we’re awfu + ye’ll a get a hearty welcome + frae us a.
I see Mr Geddie is like yersel a bit o a ‘genius’ an kens a lot aboot ower auld ballads. I winner gin he’s ever heard this ane? It was new to Gavin Greig. This is a middle verse or twa.
They hadna been but weel laid doon, nor yet weel faun asleel
When up there started Annie’s ghost, jist close at their bed feet
Fu div ye like yer blankets, Willie, or fu div ye like yer sheets
Fu div ye like yer nutbrown bride that sae neatly in yer airms sleep
Some drew tae them their stockins, their stockins, an some drew tae them their shoon
But alas for poor Willie, aw clothin he socht nane
Of course I’ve a the ballant but I give this for the supperstition, still so (eirie) in Buchan. I winner gin John wad care tae gang underneath a ladder, pairt wi a frien abune rinnin water, or tell a lee for fun whaur three lairds’ lands meet, or throw a stane intae a south-rinnin (well). I ken I widna deet onywey, + min ye I think myself nae a gowk. But that, + a hunner mair things I wadna dae for the life o me.
Weel I maun close, an wish ye a success + joy in the year that begins. Maggie joins in the best o wishes tae ane + a. Aw wi the kindness o regards tae ye a (including yersel of course). Sincerely yours, Annie Shirer

LETTER TWO, 16/2/1912
My dear frien, your welcome letter to hand. We are pleased to hear that Mrs Reid is improving with care, + warmer days. I trust she will regain her usual health + strength. Glad to hear that yer weel yersel, an getting on a richt. You seem fitter for the battle of life + really yer nae lettin yhe girse grow aneath yer feet, but rather making 'two blades grow where we hae but wan.' Yes, Brechin has been a great success, and I am glad that it should be so, for yer worthy oot a. What better subject could ye get that – Scottish Song? All the writers I admire + love, from the geniuses to the minor, all are worthy and teach us mair than lots o 'sermons'.
You will find the proof enclosed with the errors corrected as best I can. You've gien me a big sendaff. mair than I deserve. I felt somewhat surprised that my later contributions hae been worth printing. I assure you they were just sent in doubt, only when I see them in print, there is wisdom in some of them.
I'll send you on some more before your Club night. My uncle is a little better + sensible today, he managed to read some of my rhymes. I felt quite proud. Sometimes when I hear him living his life over again in delirium, his perfect trust in Christ, his fear of God, + his daily cry for release, I think his suffering must be sent to check my own care.
Ye [mith] ken whar my weakness lies, my love for form carries me too far and [?] I promise myself to curb my tongue + my pen, will I ever manage I winner. We a hae colds, na we hidna frozen pipes, but we hae something waur, 'frozen petticoats' afore I got the snaw castin oot the well, but spring will return and will bring joy in its train. We are busy, the lassie is much better + while in Cults fell in tow wi a fisherman, true there's a divinity that shapes our etc. So it's a marriage they'll be havin! I was tellin her she'll be gettin 'a fresh cod' shortly. I was makin marmalad and a wifie bade me put in a neep, and 'damn the hale show', aifter cuttin, boilin an clartin, naebody wad look at it, an it's in the midden. I'll win ower the loss an although they're a 'lauchin', I'll win owre that tee.
Maggie is usual [?] gin we hae better days she would get to the door, it wad help her. Aifter yer deen wi the proof of the Rhymers, if it was no use to you nor the printer, would you send it to me. I should like to send it to Queensland (no nae till a lad) I hinna ane but to a poet out there, if ye need it weel it's a right.
Well I maun be off again + wi all good wishes in which uncle + Maggie [?] Kind regards to yersel + sng. Yours, Annie S

LETTER THREE 1/3/1912
My dear frien, just a line [only] along with this few 'odd things'. I should have sent them on last week, but really had not a minute's time. Uncle was very ill + then we are as busy 's 'bonnet makers'.
I hope Mrs Reid has regained her usual health and that yer a yersels. How time is driving on, I've never seen the winter. Spring is already on the [surge/verge]. The floories are a roon oor wee hoose like the mannie's tatties growin wantin care or culture. Did you ever hear from Mr G Greig. I'm dootin he hisna muckle time to write, if faim is his aim I'm sure he's gettin't for 'Prince Charlie' + 'Mains Wooin' are takin oon the hooses a rin the counterie.
I'll manage to send you some mair rhymes for neist month, remember me to the friends when ye see them. I need not dwell on my unce's sufferings for they are indeed saddening me into silence, all must be for some purpose + we can only say 'thy will be done'. It is very seldom that neither Maggie or I gets to bed during the night, for he maun hae us baith aside him an altho I am fairly able for't it's tellin sair o Maggie. Weel I maun rin, all would joinin kindest regards to all, + very best wishes to yersel meantime. Sincerely yours, Annie Shirer

LETTER FOUR 25/3/1912
My dear frien, it’s now three o'clock on Monday morning + guid be thankit the days are growin longer for the nicht's a [wafa?] job. Many thanks for proof which I got on Friday. I thocht the train wad be stoppit but no, nae that it wad hae made muckle odds to us, for we're feart gi we see a train forbye to be inside ane.
Gled tae ken ye're sae busy [be-mand?]. No I dinna ken that ane, div ye ken fat a 'cellimander' means I've been afa busy trying to haud it awa, gotten the spring cleanin a dune, beds, blankets + a washen + I'm gled. Foo are ye yersels, I trust Mrs Reid is quite strong now. An a outside the hoose (the merriet anes I mean) a fine.
Uncle is very poorly. The D tells me he is much worse, if waur can be. His face is very much swollen, + from all appearance it's water going to his brain. I dinna grudge the nursing, but I grudge to see him suffer.
Maggie is keeping some better, an sits up half of the nicht when he’s ony quiet. I was tellin her that simmer maun be comin for she was oot o her chair yestreeen. We’ve gotten in a lot of sewing, only we can manage it, sein it can be une on the nicht. I enclose you a few more rhymes for your club, an fegs I’m gieless [rabit?], I’ve daen nae ills, havint I? An gin onything turns up an anither [ear?] ye’s get it but Guidness kens! Gin things cairy on like this I doot I’ll nae be tae the fore for sure’s death I’m deen, only there’s ‘a lot o killin in a caird? an I micht come a richt. Maggie joins in kindest regards to all, + best wishes to yer sel. S’’y yours, Annie Shirer.

LETTER FIVE 8/10/14
My dear friend, I'm writin ye the nicht first because I like the wifie I was just wintie. Second Mr G Stephen Aberdeen bade me enclose ye a hymn, and I hae a “ber”. Your delightful letter cam a richt. I've read + reread it. Glad tae see yer a weel + into yer winter wark aince mair. If my memory serves me richt I mind hearin aboot Mrs Fraser + her Gaelic sangs. Yes, we would be delighted to see her. Any frien of yours will aye be thrice welcome in our humble abode. An min I mean tae haud ye to your promise to come and see us in April. Aboot the heather days, div ye say. It’s never very dry in July. I'm pleased to hear that the Provost has got a firm footin aince mair, gin he's carefu there’s naething keeping him frae seein a lang time yet, I often mind his fine frame + youthful look. Loaf abut, that's nae sic stuff a makin noo-adays. Remember us to him. And still the war goes on, it's awfu + even in the kintra about's newspaper mad, I pity the editor, sma wonder that Mr Geddie is ca'ed the noo, gie him oor respects also, we aften speak + think aboot ye a. I had a P. C. today from a young chap, his reg't was brought rom Egypt to Southport, I think for the front, his mother is a widow near to here + I'm juist winnerin will I ever get an ither. Guid kens.
Yes Maggie is improving tho the Dr has given her leave to be out of bed for 6 hours every day, 3 hrs at a time, + he hisna been in for a while, that's a better sign, he's ane o the best of men, but I'm fairly scunnert wi the sicht o him (he's been aften in the past 6 years) an I'm nae seekin him here for a lang time.
We hae been busy with the reopening of schools, + sometimes crocheting some sma thingies for our soldiers.
Did I tell ye, Maggie + I won a bible each at our sale of work, it wisna in the newspaper, she for fancy sewing + I for crocheting. I've also had anither Journal Prize a needlecase + send cutting + some bitties of poetry etc, but dinna return ony o them.
I've been wondering gin I hev time, if I could mak a series of articles in the B.O.on ouir Buchan bards? Div ye think I could? Or wad I be best no to meddle eh!
he wrang wird div ye say! Where ignorance iss bliss etc. An faith I came see't yet. I had a letter from Mr R Murdoch-Lawrance, he is not coming to Fetterangus this year owing to the serious illness of his mother. I'm wondern gin she be very old? Weel I maun leave rooom for my twa [?], I'll be langin for a line aince ye hae time, remember us to Mrs Reid + Lily, + also the others + wi the best o athing to yersel, ever sin'g yours, Annie Shirer.

LETTER SIX 1/4/1915
My dear frien, both Maggie + I were really disappointed when your letter came on Tuesday. We fully expected to see you soon, however I will just look forward with you in July when we will expect to see Mrs Reid + you, some bonnie day. I'm sorry to hear about your friend's loss + feel for the lonely old man, the [list?] is nae guid tae heal, when it grows auld but we think he should have appraised her of the sad event.
Thanks for your letter of the previous week, awfully sorry to hear about the old lady, + her still alive! But why on earth did [they?] leave a woman of 93/2# in a hoose alane, tell me that, losh we wednie hae turned back ae minute, but uncle wad hae been at the fire. I mind ae time that reason or nane he wad hae a lichtit paper to see his sair finger, + although Maggie was on one side and me on the ither he calmly drappit it on hs nicht sark, which gaed up in a lowe [?]. He was easy gotten out but auld fowk are like bairns, + he just [??].
Sorry to hear aboot the good auld Provost. I hope the fine days will help him regain strength, + I dinna forget to link my petition to yours on his behalf. Fat says the Guid Buik aboot the prayers o the righteous eh! Gin it disnae bother him convey our kindest regards. Div ye think he'll manage a motor run north? We wad awfully like to see him aince mair if he's able when simmer comes again + what aboot Mr Geddes, I never hear o him! [To?] his son aye at the front, remember to him also.
We're aye getting anither sample o the Kaiser Kultur. Mrs Wallace had a P.C. frae her husband. He's langing to see his bairn, on a caird he said for Heaven’s sake send a small toothcomb. That dinna look as if he were ower weel groomed. I’m in yer debt aince mair for sortin up my verses, gin they print them I'll send ye the paper.
I've been awfu busy the whilie back + Maggie has been mostly in bed. When warm days come again they may help her, she's been suffering sore pain ower her hert the past week but she's better-like the nicht + thinks she'll be oot o her bed and sewing the morn to let me ower to New Leeds. I had a short note from George [?], he is now at the Front, as also Mr Gavin Grieg's son, + son-in-law, all 3 are in the R.A.M.C., what can we do more than watch + wait an pray, for the sad state o maitters to end I’se enclose ye a wee bittie frae Tullochgorum. ”My faish” hut he has a# opinion o the wimmin fowk, he wad gar ye believe they wad either gang aff their heed or else need a tin opener.
Hae ye heard the two latest riddles? No 1, K stans fur Kaiser, fat stans for his wife?
No 2, what's the coolest thing that been dune by a German General since the war began? We hae gotten the hoosie a newsprint cleaned frae tap to bottom, + a new [floor/fire?] into the kitchen that was a in honour o Mrs Reid's visit, but it'll be nae waur until July, + it will be something to look forrit to, juist ye tell her that.
I'm pleased ye like the Sturdy hoeing match although I wisna [in the?] warld at that time. I kent young Sturdy weel, in my young days, he is now in Canada. His wife paid us a visit in August of last year. His mither was a braw leddy heiress, and spent a fortune, in fact they say that whatsoever her eyes desired she kept not from them + she is as the result now in Belfalton poorhouse, and the council allows her a sma thing per week. [Aint] it [?] foo some craiturs wad toss awa guid siller like cauld water wi nae thocht o the future!
Dod I'm far scunnert at baith misers and spendthrifts. I'm like the mannie when he said ' I juist prefer the middle thing'. Weel it's vergin on twal I'm clean dune. Remember me to Mrs Reid + Lily.
Kindest regards to a the friens. Aw the usual to yoursel, ever sinc'y yours, Annie Shirer.