"Baht'At" means "without a hat". It is written in a Yorkshire dialect though of course there isn't just one way of speaking Yorkshire, there are several. Nonetheless, nearly everyone in this county of 5.5 million souls would recognise that particular dialect phrase because it comes from our county song - "On Ilkley Moor Baht'at".
It's a silly song really - about what might transpire if you go up on the moors ill-prepared for bad weather - for example not wearing a hat. It is believed that the song - drawn from local folk singing traditions commonly connected with pubs - probably emerged in the middle of the nineteenth century - its music owing much to a Methodist hymn tune of the early nineteenth century known as "Cranbrook".
In this promotional tourism video from 2013, the makers have not only brought in some local stars such as Lesley Garrett and Brian Blessed, they have also sought to refresh the old anthem by giving it some modern twists...
The Micro Manager sings this song once in a while but she doesn't translate it
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful voices! How I wish I could sing. Which is not to say I don't, it just doesn't sound very nice when I do.
ReplyDeleteGreat modern twist on a classic ballad.
ReplyDeleteSadly, apart from the chorus, I couldn't understand a word! Same with the Aldi/Lidl song yesterday. Goodness knows how your American readers managed. Pity there were no subtitles - I enjoy songs like that - when I can understand them!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was about Thailand and its currency, the baht. The clip was a bit of fun.
ReplyDeleteSweet tune.
ReplyDeleteTwo of the singers were definitely not from Yorkshire and couldn't perfect a true Yorkshire accent: namely the little boy at the start and the female singer.
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