Constitution Day. A Virtual Tog
Today, the seventeenth of May, is Norway’s Constitution Day
When all Norwegians stand foursquare, wi’ flags and costumes and prepare
To praise that homeland whar they bide, wi’ righteous nationalistic pride.
1814, the year ye’ll mind, when that great document wis signed
Fae Denmark’s rule they then were free, an independent entity
Thanks tae the settling of scores, post the Napoleonic Wars.
In Orkney too we mark this feast, wi freends and neighbours fae the East
Wur island home was it appears, Norwegian for six hunder years
And Orkney words and placenames yet, prove heritage we’ll no forget.
So Norway’s freends fae far and near, all gather at the Kirkwall pier
Some folk in Norway’s costumes dressed, and flags tae wave for all the rest
We in anticipation stand, lined up ahint wur great pipe band.
When height of noon on clockface shows, then off the grand procession goes
Wi’ flag and kilt and pipe and drum, fae shop and kloss the folk all come
Tae see the sight and feel the beat, that livens up the Kirkwall street.
So lively you could dance a jig, the Tog proceeds up tae the Brig
Then up through Albert Street hid goes, the numbers of spectators grows
We pass whar Woolies used tae be, and Kirkwall’s owld and famous tree.
Then lots more folk tae see and greet, as band and flags get tae Broad Street
The Tog then stops cheust aboot hands, wae whar wur great Cathedral stands
Wur pride and joy of Viking age, that marks wur Nordic heritage.
A speech or two then -no surprise, confirming strong and ancient ties
And looking forward with a will, for stronger links wi’ Norway still
Thus on this seventeenth of May, we mind their Constitution Day.
