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Be Kind to Your Nainsel

[ Roud 2480 ; G/D 3:706 ; Ballad Index GrD3796 ; DT NAINSEL ; Mudcat 4488 ; trad.]

Gordeanna McCulloch sang Be Kind tae Yer Nainsel in 1978 on her Topic album Sheath and Knife. She noted:

Collected from popular tradition in Aberdeenshire by Rev. James Duncan early this century? A version much like this presumably inspired Lady Nairne’s songs of the same title written in 1798. The “land o’ the leal” means the land of the loyal or faithful (heaven). The songs appears in Folk Music Journal 1966 (London, EFDSS).

Wearin’ awa: getting old,
nainsel: own self,
puckle sucker: grain or bit of sugar,
creel: basket,
speen: spoon,
cuttie: short,
crummie cowie: crooked horned cow

Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul sang Be Kind to Your Nainsel in 2026 on their album They’ll Aye Remain. They noted:

A wee version of Land of the Leal without the fine touches of Lady Nairne. First heard from the great Gordeanna McCulloch.

Lyrics

Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul sing Be Kind to Your Nainsel

I am wearin awa John
I am wearin awa John
I’m wearin awa tae the land o the leal
Sae be kind tae yer nainsel John-o

Ye’ll heat anither drink tae me John-o
Ye’ll heat anither drink tae me John-o
Wi a wee bit of butter an a little puckle succar
An a wee wee drappie o a dram John