# Scots Song/Poem. Identify, please. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009 "2003-06-01T22:06:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/1 "2003-06-01T22:06:27Z")
The lyrics/verses I heard clearly… > [@](#): > > Mother, Father! > Please Believe me! > Every word is true > I just saw… The rest of the song refers to a “beast”, & it may be linked to Loch Ness, or even Nessie. It was set to music that sounded rather like the few traditional Scots ballads I’ve heard performed, & the singer (in the video I heard the song in) was a young woman, riding a horse of the shores of Loch Ness. The entire song/poem was not performed. Help, please? A link to the complete verses, or even just the name of the song/poem would be lovely. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/2 "2003-06-02T11:42:48Z")
Bump, for the weekday crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/3 "2003-06-03T11:54:41Z")
My last attempt. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/4 "2003-06-03T12:31:51Z")
I tried checking [www.mudcat.org](http://www.mudcat.org) but their site’s down for a week or two. Once they’re back, they have a link to the Digital Traditions webpage, which has a lot of folk songs in it. [Here’s](http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/) a mirror of the database, but it might be out of date (I didn’t find what you’re looking for) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/5 "2003-06-03T12:58:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > \*\*I tried checking [www.mudcat.org](http://www.mudcat.org) but their site’s down for a week or two. Once they’re back, they have a link to the Digital Traditions webpage, which has a lot of folk songs in it. [Here’s](http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/) a mirror of the database, but it might be out of date (I didn’t find what you’re looking for) \*\* The problem is, I’m not sure either. I don’t have a title, & it miight not even be traditional. Could have been cooked up for the 19th Century music halls. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/6 "2003-06-03T14:18:46Z")
If the song is specifically about the Loch Ness monster, it’s not a folk song; it’s twentieth century. I thought it might be a traditional song about water horses or selkies or something, with just the video on Loch Ness. However, a google search turned up some reference to a Japanese movie or tv show called Lupin III in translation. There is a song sung by a female character called Fujiko during a plot about capturing Nessie. Was there a lyric like, “I just glimpsed a beast with two backs through the foggy dew”? ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/7 "2003-06-03T14:22:40Z")
[A brief plot summary](http://www.lupinthethird.org/anime/TV2p1.htm)- Go to Episode 4, “I Can Hear Nessie’s Singing.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/8 "2003-06-03T14:27:37Z")
Yes, **sugaree** , that’s where I first heard the verses. But I’d _swear_ that I’ve heard the tune before. So, where did this come from? ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/9 "2003-06-03T14:57:09Z")
Damn. All that googling for nothing! 😛 I’m lost. The lyrics did not sound traditional to me, but in this case, they may be Scots or English translated to Japanese translated to English (or not- was it subtitled or dubbed?). Or new lyrics popped onto a traditional Scottish tune (is that common in anime?). If the lyrics specifically reference Nessie, they at least are not traditional, but that doesn’t mean that the tune isn’t. If you don’t get an answer here, you might want to try one of the anime or folk music communities. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/10 "2003-06-04T13:16:04Z")
Well, a song _could_ be about the Loch Ness Monster without necessarily being 20th century. Supposed “sightings” go back to the time of St. Colomba. Sorry, though, I have no idea about the song - line someone quoted about the beast with two back and the foggy dew somehow suggsts to me that the song may be a joke-song or a parody of folk song, in which case I wonder whether a “filk” site might help. Well, the song will bug me all day now - so I’ll have fun looking too. Shame re. Mudcat being down. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/11 "2003-06-04T13:31:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Celyn \* > **Sorry, though, I have no idea about the song - line someone quoted about the beast with two back and the foggy dew somehow suggsts to me that the song may be a joke-song or a parody of folk song** The fact that it is sung by a character whose name translates as “Tits like Mt. Fuji” makes me think the same…still could be set to a traddy tune. **Bosca** , let us know if you ever find it. You could try to write to the Ohno (spelling off) gentleman who is credited with the music. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/12 "2003-06-04T14:38:47Z")
A…parody. :eek: A… **parody!** :eek: :eek: I thought it was legit… _ **I"VE BEEN CONNED BY LUPIN THE 3RD!!!** _ :smack: :smack: :mad: Fujiko! --it was that “sweet & innocent” context… _SHE VAMPED ME!!!_ …just like all the others…:smack: Oh well. At least I got taken by the best… ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/13 "2003-06-04T16:23:01Z")
IIRC, the lyrics Fujiko sang were: Mother, Father please believe me, Every word is true. I saw a beast with two backs Through the foggy dew. It must have swallowed Jack and Susie For I heard their cries… I don’t think either Fujiko or Lupin ever got past that point in the song–possibly no more lyrics exist. I haven’t been able to find them on any of the folk/filk/parody sites. Maybe I’ll finish them. It would make a good, rude (but innocent-sounding) song to sing at a Faire. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/14 "2003-06-04T16:31:21Z")
A small present for you,\*\* Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor\*\* although it won’t make up for the disappoinment. [http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~gully/Poetry/lochness.html](http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~gully/Poetry/lochness.html) Well, I am pleased with the answer - it means I don’t need to feel so stupid for not knowing a Scottish song. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/15 "2003-06-04T17:06:19Z")
Oddly enough, I rented the Lupin the 3rd DVD yesterday and am watching that episode (the one about Loch Ness and the song) _at this exact moment_. So, if you have a quick question about it, I can answer pretty quickly. Also, I don’t know if this helps, but it’s a neat site anyway: [http://www.lupinencyclopedia.com/index.php](http://www.lupinencyclopedia.com/index.php) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/16 "2003-06-04T17:19:39Z")
check the extra feature for possible info, if you can, please? ---
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/17 "2003-06-04T17:32:04Z")
Special features are sparse, only line art and previews. However, on recommendation of some site that I read the other day, I turned on subtitles, both to transcribe and to see the difference between the words used to match the mouths and the actual translation. Fujiko sings: Mother father please believe me Every word is true I just glimped a beast with two backs through the foggy dew I fear it swallowed Jack and Susie For I heard the … While the subtitles say: A boy and a girl in a wheat field smooching around, isn’t that cute? Though I have no lover… ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/18 "2003-06-04T17:58:37Z")
hmmm… maybe it’s a folk tune, or at least a long-standing dirty drinking song, after all… ---
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/19 "2003-06-04T17:59:03Z")
Also: - Dr. Oz refers to the song as a Scottish folk song in the subtitles. - Lupin sings underwater: Mommy daddy please believe me This guy’s really not (?) And his face is like a (garbled) Find a matching pot… Subtitles: A boy and a girl in the water soaking wet… ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009/20 "2003-06-04T18:51:54Z")
Hmmm… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scots-song-poem-identify-please/179009.md?page=2)