THE FIVE SISTERS OF FREUCHIE
My mother, Elizabeth Jane McDougal (Elsie) was one of five sisters born between 1900 and 1915 in Freuchie, Fife. She married my father, James Richmond Hewit in 1940. The marriage was not happy, and this poem tells why.
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Five sisters were born in the village of Freuchie
To a Black Watch family of protestant creed.
Their childhood was happy contented and carefree,
But their lives leave a lesson all lasses should heed,
About who to marry.
Jenny, the eldest, was long-limbed and sporting;
She could run without pausing up East Lomond hill.
She married a handsome man, but too fond of drinking,
So she kept him near sober by the strength of her will,
And she lived, watchful but happy.
Peggy was sultry dark and alluring
With wide open eyes and a heart-melting smile.
She wed a gambler, and she liked the casino,
So they rolled dice together in grandiose style,
And she lived broke but happy.
Dinah was the clever one, intelligent, thoughtful;
She went to the college and would study till dawn.
At their wedding her groom spoke of love everlasting,
But an illness took hold and too soon she was gone.
She lived all too briefly, but happy.
Nell loved the west coast and the islands of Scotland
With their soft crimson sunsets, and the black-tangled sea.
She never married - she treasured her freedom,
But she'd friends in Acharacle, Mallaig and Portree,
And she lived footloose and happy.
Elsie had charm that could make a man helpless.
She could sing like Piaf and wore pearls in her hair,
But she married a mountaineer, driven and selfish;
He thought more of the Cuillins than ever of her,
And she lived neglected and unhappy .
So here's the advice from the five girls of Freuchie -
Make the best of what life brings you while you are here.
Let love decide who to choose for your partner,
But avoid, at all costs, the cold mountaineer,
Or you're sure to regret it!
o edit.
My mother, Elizabeth Jane McDougal (Elsie) was one of five sisters born between 1900 and 1915 in Freuchie, Fife. She married my father, James Richmond Hewit in 1940. The marriage was not happy, and this poem tells why.
***************************************************************
Five sisters were born in the village of Freuchie
To a Black Watch family of protestant creed.
Their childhood was happy contented and carefree,
But their lives leave a lesson all lasses should heed,
About who to marry.
Jenny, the eldest, was long-limbed and sporting;
She could run without pausing up East Lomond hill.
She married a handsome man, but too fond of drinking,
So she kept him near sober by the strength of her will,
And she lived, watchful but happy.
Peggy was sultry dark and alluring
With wide open eyes and a heart-melting smile.
She wed a gambler, and she liked the casino,
So they rolled dice together in grandiose style,
And she lived broke but happy.
Dinah was the clever one, intelligent, thoughtful;
She went to the college and would study till dawn.
At their wedding her groom spoke of love everlasting,
But an illness took hold and too soon she was gone.
She lived all too briefly, but happy.
Nell loved the west coast and the islands of Scotland
With their soft crimson sunsets, and the black-tangled sea.
She never married - she treasured her freedom,
But she'd friends in Acharacle, Mallaig and Portree,
And she lived footloose and happy.
Elsie had charm that could make a man helpless.
She could sing like Piaf and wore pearls in her hair,
But she married a mountaineer, driven and selfish;
He thought more of the Cuillins than ever of her,
And she lived neglected and unhappy .
So here's the advice from the five girls of Freuchie -
Make the best of what life brings you while you are here.
Let love decide who to choose for your partner,
But avoid, at all costs, the cold mountaineer,
Or you're sure to regret it!
o edit.
