Feel yourself beloved on earth, then make me Scottish

June 19, 2008 in Uncategorized

Is there a lovelier accent than that of the Scottish? I think not. Oh, alright. I’m very fond of my friend Richard’s Kiwi accent. (Happy Birthday, Richard!) And there’s Tony and his lovely South African tone. And Eliav’s Israeli accent is definitely a keeper. But honestly? The Scottish? My favorite. I want to be Scottish. Make me Scottish. Talk to me in Scottish.

On this site, a lovely Scottish woman reads us an Auden poem. Auden is a favorite of mine, but then again, with that accent, she could just read me the back of a paper bag from the Piggly Wiggly or instructions on putting together a vacuum cleaner.

Take a listen.

And then she reminds me of this powerful poem by Raymond Carver.

Late Fragment

And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.

-Raymond Carver

Have you gotten what you wanted from this life? And what did you want?

Will you know when you get it?

Isn’t it enough to call yourself beloved, to feel yourself beloved on the earth?

Now, read this whole post again, this time aloud, in a Scottish accent. I know I’m going to.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

13 comments to " Feel yourself beloved on earth, then make me Scottish "


abirdinthehand

June 19, 2008 AT 11:45PM

Yes, a Scottish accent is lovely. I ask my Scottish friend, Rosemary lots of questions just to hear her talk. Shamelessly, we send her round to the neighbors when we need to use their lawns or porches for our neighborhood events because it is possible to visibly see their reluctance melt away the more she talks. She has yet to be turned down. I just love to hear her talk about her dog Stuart and her cat Angus!

deirdre

June 20, 2008 AT 1:17AM

We’re thinking about Scotland for our honeymoon – how terribly romantic is that? Sigh. And yes, I’ve gotten a good amount of what I wanted. Took a while, but it was worth the wait.

Rick

June 20, 2008 AT 7:58AM

I’m reminded of the more-pedestrian favorite of mine: a line from the movie Fools Rush In, Matthew Perry’s character pleading his case to Salma Hayek’s: “You’re everything I never knew I always wanted.”

That’s what I find amazing. I am able to enjoy so much so well, and never knew how much I wanted it until it was already part of my life. Is it a secret, that we find so easily that which we are not looking for?

Sally

June 20, 2008 AT 8:37AM

Do you mind if I do it Irish (my favorite), instead?

marianne

June 20, 2008 AT 9:05AM

Funny, at the first mention of Scottish accent my inner voice was reading the post with said accent.
Another accent I’ve welcomed…I was in Louisiana several years ago on a job, hearing mostly Cajun which is fine but stopping in a little shop looking for postcards, the older gentleman in front of me started talking, that sweet slow southern drawl, musical, and like honey dripping from his mouth.. I just kept asking questions to keep him talking.

Chris Meissner

June 20, 2008 AT 9:21AM

Hi Patti, I feel like these poems have been a wonderful gift….June 19th is my birthday too. As I sit behind my reception desk today, I will listen to and read the poems over and over. The Scottish accent should be coming along pretty darned good by 5pm.

John Ptak

June 20, 2008 AT 11:42PM

A little inside info: its appropriate that PD has this longing for the Scots, what with her heritage and all…She has come as close to coming back to Scotland as you can here in the U.S., returning to the area where 9 generations or so of her family has lived, here in what is known as the “Southern Highlands”.

amypalko

June 21, 2008 AT 4:39AM

This was such a lovely surprise, Patti! I’m so glad you enjoyed my reading of the poem. I’ve actually recorded quite a few poems using Voice Thread – here’s another that I think you might like :-)
Red Red Rose:
http://voicethread.com/share/46572/
Enjoy!

Dharmamama

June 21, 2008 AT 11:38PM

I used to record Thistle & Shamrock when it first started here in Charlotte. I’d listen to it to get the music, then I’d fast-forward through the music to listen to Fiona Ritchie again and again. I am pleased beyond measure to hear a Scottish voice reciting poetry. Poetry reciting poetry.

mary castagnoli

June 26, 2008 AT 12:26PM

Years back we had an older priest who was a a very strict and stern Scotsman – and while I would gladly arise to make a 7:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday’s just to hear his rolling burrs – I made sure to avoid him for Confession! He could rrreaally get his point acrross!
And would my affection for Sean Connery be as strong if not for his manner of speech and his wonderful knees?! (reference: Medicine Man)

Tim (

July 1, 2008 AT 6:18PM

Ah, I’m so glad I read this, after my own blog post on Auden from earlier today. I’m especially glad because it reminds me of my honeymoon year, which my wife and I spent living in St. Andrews.

And you’re right, there’s no accent that beats a Scottish accent.

Emma

September 2, 2009 AT 1:49PM

I read that poem ages and ages ago and had completely forgotten about it… lovely. Also lovely: the Scottish accent. (Though most any Commonwealth accent makes me weak in the knees.) Lovely the third: you! Thanks for this post.

Caren aka Dharmamama

September 2, 2009 AT 2:15PM

Thanks for the reminder about that recording! So – I kinda, sorta liked David Tennant (Dr. Who), thought he was cute, a good actor, etc. But THEN we watched a behind-the-scenes of Dr. Who DVD… and he spoke with his natural accent, which is…. um, Scottish… (phew!) and my jaw dropped. I’m actually blushing a bit just thinking of it now. I immediately turned to Evan and asked, “So, would it be OK if David Tennant was your new Daddy?” and he, before the words were all the way out of my mouth, shouted, “Yes!” and we both laughed and laughed.