31/10/2026
Will ye be letting the guisers in the night? In Scotland we used to go guisin pronounced guy zin
on Halloween and you had to perform your wee party piece, you wouldnae get anything unless you had a wee tune, a joke or a wee jig to offer up first. This tradition goes back centuries in Scotland and I believe in Ireland too. This was always a firm favourite in oor hoose. It was learnt for burns day then rolled out as your party piece every year.
The sair finger by Walter wingate
You’ve hurt your finger? Puir wee man!
Your pinkie? Deary me!
Noo, juist you haud it that wey till
I get my specs and see!
My, so it is – and there’s the skelf!
Noo, dinna greet nae mair.
See there – my needle’s gotten’t out!
I’m sure that wasna sair?
And noo, to make it hale the morn,
Put on a wee bit saw,
And tie a Bonnie hankie roun’t
Noo, there na – rin awa’!
Your finger sair ana’? Ye rogue,
You’re only lettin’ on.
Weel, weel, then – see noo, there ye are,
Row’d up the same as John!
The other was street talk by just.k. annand
There was a rammie in the street,
A stishie and stramash.
The crabbit wifie up the stair
Pit up her winda sash.
“Nou what’s adae?” the wifie cried,
“Juist tell me what’s adae.”
A day is twinty-fower hours, missis,
Nou gie us peace to play.
“Juist tell me what’s ado,” she cried,
“And nane o yer gab,” cried she.
D’ye no ken a doo’s a pigeon, missis?
Nou haud your wheesht a wee.
“I want to ken what’s up,” she cried,
“And nae mair o yer cheek, ye loun.”
It’s only yer winda that’s up, missis.
For guidsake pit it doun.
After a rendition of this and mibees a wee joke or a jig you'd be given an apple (aiple) for dooking or some monkey nuts. I don't ever mind being given sweeties, and certainly not for just standing at someone's door with your hand out. Our wee ones have been practising their jokes all week ready for the night. I think me and my sister only ever carved a neep once our fingers were so sair n cut we never asked again haha 👻 🧙♀️ ❤️