Love and cannibalism in the Yorkshire Dales
I’ve never thought much about the folk song ‘Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at’ before Paul Sinha mentioned it on his radio show.
I think the only bit in the words below that really needs explanation is ‘baht at’ means ‘without a hat’ ….but there is a full translation on Wikipedia
ON ILKLEY MOOR BAHT ‘AT
Wheear ‘as ta bin sin ah saw thee,
On Ilkla Moor baht ‘at?!
Tha’s been a cooartin’ Mary Jane|
Tha’s bahn t’catch thi deeath o’cowd
Then we shall ha’ to bury thee
Then t’worms ’ll cum and eat thee oop
Then ducks ’ll cum and eat oop t’worms
Then we shall go an’ ate oop ducks
Then we shall all ‘ave etten thee
That’s wheer we get us oahn back