Story Behind The Song

We wrote this song for the Burnsong 2005 competition. From more than 800 entries It was chosen as one of the 16 winning songs. We performed the song live at Burnsong 2005 where it was recorded live for Radio Scotland. It was then featured on a specially p

Song Description

A song written in the style of Scotland's famous bard Robert Burns. Using his typical old Scots language approach it describes the unknown qualities, richness and value of the dokken leaf - assumed by everyone to be no more than a worthless common weed.

Lyrics

A song written in the style of Scotland's famous bard Robert Burns. Using his typical old Scots language approach it describes the unknown qualities, richness and value of the dokken leaf - assumed by everyone to be no more than a worthless common weed.

A literal translation follows after the song lyrics


THE LEAF O? THE BONNIE DOKEN

There?s nae a plant wi? sae muckle yaes
As the leaf o? the bonnie doken
There?s nae a floor in a ? this land
As usefae as the doken

There?s jist twa types, the flet leaf and the curly
The nettle sting is sic a sair thing be ye mild meak or burly
but the itch is gone when ye rub it on, it?s natures gift tae mak ye glad
cos its nae sae bad when yer han? is clad in the leaf o? the bonnie doken

Ah There?s nae a plant wi? sae muckle yaes
As the leaf o? the bonnie doken
There?s nae a floor in a ? this land
As usefae as the doken

In sinny climes an? aulden times butter tarts tae turn
A doken hap wid yase its sap tae keep as in the kirn
The dairy coos wid chew the cud but leave the doken in the mud
The fermer?s wife it wid be her joab tae pluck the bonnie doken

No There?s nae a plant wi? sae muckle yaes
As the leaf o? the bonnie doken
There?s nae a floor in a ? this land
As usefae as the doken

(spoken)
The whaup?s, the lavrocks an? the wee linties sing
tae show that dawn has broken
They eat their fill o? flees and grubs a?
feeding? on the doken


The clinkumbell wid? sound the peel for the start o Sunday worship
Wi the Mess John standin? at the door tae welcome in his lordship
Wi drumly shin he?d no go in, an no a word wiz spoken
He?d turn aroon an dight them doon wi the leaf o the bonnie doken

So There?s nae a plant wi? sae muckle yaes
As the leaf o? the bonnie doken
There?s nae a floor in a ? this land
As usefae as the doken

The poultice made wi sucker bread and the leaf o? the curly doken
Wi mortar pestal a? ground up in tae a magic potion
Dra?s oot the poison, mends dagger cuts, mon ot?s worthy o? a token
Cos there?s nae a plant wi dae muckle yase as the leaf o? the bonnie doken.

There?s nae a plant wi? sae muckle yaes
As the leaf o? the bonnie doken
There?s nae a floor in a ? this land
As usefae as the doken

repeat chorus and then last two lines



THE LEAF O? THE BONNIE DOKEN (Literal Interpretation)

There isn't a plant with so many uses
As the leaf of the bonnie doken
There isn't a flower in all this land
As useful as the doken

There are just two kinds - the flat leaf and the curly
The sting from a nettle is a very sore thing whether you are quiet, timid or big and strong
But the itch goes when you rub it on, it?s natures gift to make you glad
Because it's not so bad when your hand is swathed in the leaf of the bonnie doken

There isn't a plant with so many uses
As the leaf of the bonnie doken
There isn't a flower in all this land
As useful as the doken

In sunny weather in olden times butter starts to turn (go off)
A doken leaf would use its sap to keep fresh as in the kirn (dairy vat used to keep butter fresh)
The dairy cattle would chew the cud (eat the grass and extract the juice) but leave the doken in the mud
The farmer?s wife it would be her job to pick the bonnie doken

There isn't a plant with so many uses
As the leaf of the bonnie doken
There isn't a flower in all this land
As useful as the doken

(spoken)
The curlews, the larks and the little linnets sing
To show that dawn has broken
They eat their fill of flees and grubs
Yes - and they are feeding on the doken

INTRUMENTAL

The church bell would ring for the start of Sunday worship
With the Minister John standing at the door to welcome in his lordship
With muddy shoes he wouldn't enter and not a word was spoken
He would turn around and wipe them down with a leaf of the bonnie doken

There isn't a plant with so many uses
As the leaf of the bonnie doken
There isn't a flower in all this land
As useful as the doken

The heated bandage made with sugar bread and the leaf of the curly doken
With mortar pestal (ointment and additives) all ground up into magic potion
Draws out the poison, heals dagger cuts, man it is worth some money
Because there isn't a plant with so many uses as the leaf of the bonnie doken.

There isn't a plant with so many uses
As the leaf of the bonnie doken
There isn't a flower in all this land
As useful as the doken



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