The Term Time/The Weary Farmers

1.They sing about the Broomielaw,
they sing o lan’s alairm,
But the best sang that e’er was sung was sung aboot the term.
The term time is comin lads, an we will aa win free,
An wi the weary fairmers again we winna fee!
Come a raddy um a rowdow, raddy um a ree
Raddy um a rowdow, fa-la-lee
2.First there comes the mairket,
an then there comes the term,
So aa ye weary fairmers, dinna be alairmed.
They’ll tap ye on the shouther an say,
“Lad, are ye tae fee?”
They’ll tell ye a lang tale that’s every word a lee!
3.Wi broad-tailed coats an Quaker hats, an whups alow their airms,
They dunt an ride on horseback when they get a fiarm.
Their boots aa glaur an glitterin an spurs upon their heels,
Altho ye caa the country roon we winna fin sic chiels!
4.He’ll pit his han intae his pooch an he’ll pu oot a shillin
An he’ll say siller’s unco scarce, aye, the leein villain!
They’ll tell ye every jot o wark that ye hae tae perform
But lads, when ye’re under them ye’ll stand the ragin storm!
5.On cauld kail an tatties
they feed ye like a pig
While they sit at their tea an toast
or hurl in their gig.
The diet hour it vexes them, an then tae us they’ll say,
“Come on ma lads, ye’ll get yer rest when lyin in the clay!”
An noo ma song is ended, a warnin tak frae me
An wi the weary fairmers be sure an dinna fee!

English translation Ewan McVicar
1.They sing about the Broomielaw ,
they sing of alarm in the land
But the best sang that ever was sung
was sung about the term(1) .
The term time is coming lads, and we will all win free,
An with the weary farmers again
we will not fee(2)
chorus nonsense
2.First there comes the market(3),
and then there comes the term,
So all you weary farmers, do not be allarmed.
They’ll tap you on the shoulder and say,
“Lad, are you to fee?”
They’ll tell you a long tale that’s every word a lee!(4)
3.With broad-tailed coats an Quaker hats,
and whips below their arms,
They bounce an ride on horseback when they get a farm.
Their boots all glaur(5) and glittering
and spurs upon their heels,
Although you look the country around
we will not find such fellows!
4.He’ll pit his hand into his pocket
and he’ll put out a shilling(6)
An he’ll say silver’s[[money] very scarce,
aye, the lying villain!
They’ll tell you small amount of work
that you have to perform
But lads, when you are under them
you’ll stand the ragin storm!
5.On cold long cabbage and potatoes
they feed you like a pig
While they sit at their tea an toast
or ride out in their horse and small carriage
The diet hour it vexes them(7), and then to us they’ll say,
“Come on my lads, ye’ll get your rest when lying in your grave
An now my song is ended, a warning take from me
An with the weary farmers be sure and do not fee!
(1) [when the agreed length of work on a farm ended]
(2) [agree what payment to work for]
(3) [all potential employees and employers meet on the date of the ’term’ in a town’s marketplace]
(4) [they will tell a lie about what work you will have to do]
(5) [sticky black polish]
(6) a 20^th of a pound
(7) [the hour off to eat annoys them]

Traduzione italiana Cattia Salto
Si canta di Broomielaw(1),
si canta dell’allarme nel paese(2),
ma la canzone più bella che sia mai stata cantata è quella delle assunzioni(3).
Il tempo delle assunzioni si avvicina, saremo tutti assunti e con i padroni meschini non ci andremo(4)!
Come a raddy um a rowdow, raddy um a ree
Raddy um a rowdow, fa-la-lee
Prima viene il mercato,
e poi viene la fiera delle assunzioni
quindi voi state allerta dai padroni terrieri meschini!
Vi batteranno sulla spalla e diranno:
“Ragazzo, sei in cerca di lavoro?”, vi racconteranno una lunga storia in cui ogni parola è una bugia!
Con cappotti a coda larga(5) e cappelli quaccheri, e fruste sotto le braccia
fanno un giro a cavallo quando prendono(6) una fattoria.
con stivali tutti lucidi e scintillanti e gli speroni
anche se cerchi nei dintorni non ne troverai di uguali!
Metterà la mano nella scarsella e caverà uno scellino
e dirà che l’argento è raro, sì, il cattivo bugiardo!
Vi diranno ogni singolo lavoro che dovrete fare
ma ragazzi, quando sarete sotto di loro, affronterete la bufera!!
Con zuppa fredda di cavolo e patate
vi nutriranno come i maiali
mentre loro si siedono per il tè, fanno un brindisi
o vanno in carrozzella.
L’ora dei pasti(7) li irrita, e poi ci dicono:
“Forza ragazzi, vi riposerete quando sarete nella tomba!”
E ora la mia canzone è finita, prendete il mio avvertimento
dai padroni meschini non fatevi assumere!
NOTE
NOTE si ringrazia Ewan McVicar per il supporto nella traduzione https://ewanmcvicar.website/
(1) Broomielaw è la zona dei moli di Glasgow lungo il Clyde https://www.glasgowhistory.com/broomielaw.html
in altre versioni diventa Cromar fair
(2) alarm in the land
(3) lett il termine cioè il fee/feeing day  [hiring fair day] il giorno in cui scadono e si rinnovano i contratti agrari stagionali
(4) lett “e dagli agricoltori-intesi come proprietari terrieri- meschini non ci faremo assumere di nuovo “
(5) una formale redingote
(6) entrano in possesso, comprano una fattoria
(7) cioè il tempo libero per mangiare