Скачать или смотреть Sic a Wife as Willie Had

A Robert Burns poem about Willie Wassle and his wife recited by Wilf Archer.

Willie Wastle’s wife is a true comedic disaster—one-eyed, toothless, sharp-tongued, and hilariously mismatched in every way! From her clumsy gait to her unconventional hygiene habits (scrubbing her face with a stocking!), Burns’ wicked humour paints a vivid picture of a wife you wouldn’t trade for a button. A satirical gem of exaggerated flaws and laugh-out-loud imagery!

On a serious note: Understanding the story behind Sic a Wife as Willie Had is important but I am aware of two versions. The official version about a weaver and his wife as described within the poem as if it is real and authentic. Yet no one has actually found a place called Lincumdoddy or reference to the man himself.

I grew up in Ayr and was told the story differently by tales passed down through friends and family. Willie Wassle was a blether and a name given by locals to anyone who was an exaggerated storyteller, an embellisher of tales. Willie's wife was a gossip and is described as a caricature of a witch. Stories and exaggeration can be fun but gossip is a dangerous damaging act. So much so that the gossip wasn't worth the time of day, not even a button.

Which is correct? I personally like the one I grew up with. Others may prefer that his wife was as is described and they lived by the tweed.
Or maybe a mix of both.