Wigan Dialect

Jeff Unsworth

 

Goo'int Baths

( To read the translation of this poem click here )

 

 


 

It were beltin goo'int baths on a set'day.

Three or four of us waitin fot buz.

As soon as it come, wid aw feyt gerr on.

Cos aw of us wa'ntid bit fust.


Neaw sumdy all'us fogeet summut.

A towel , there'd be a fair chance.

But we neyer forgett'n ar cossies.

Cos we ad um on under ar pants.


Afoo'er buz stopped , top o king street.

Wid jump off , cos we aw could'nt wait.

Wid leg it through grimes's arcade.

Cross library street, into millgate.


Neaw .. by this time wid aw be excitid.

Racin ter't bottom ert slope.

Then beawncin through dorr , wid aw get that wiff.

Of chlorine, un carbolic soap.


Three of us squa'shed in one cabin.

Gerrin undressed , stood on't seat.

Then beltin deawn steps inter't shars.

Lathrin ar cossies , un scrubbin ar feet.


I wonc't geet clod eawt for pee'in in't pool.

Thatendunt he pooshed me in't road.

I said it were'nt reet .. us moo'ist folk pee.

He said .. " aye " but norr off top divin board.


Neaw.. they'd clod us aw eawt abeawt four.

Wid wunder weer time it'd gone.

Wid caw in a shop for an hovis breawn loaf.

Un e,yt miggle eawt as we walked wom

 


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Copyright © 1998 Jeff Unsworth

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