DURING the First World War, ordinary Scots turned to verse to articulate their responses to the conflict.

Not surprisingly, there was much material from Burns country. Here is a sample from Songs of an Ayrshire Yeoman by David Mackie. The word play on "Ça ne fait rien" - "It doesn't matter" - has a jaunty defiance.

SAN FAIRY ANN

We found this phrase across in France,

Whene'er the bloomin' War began,

And now we shrug ourselves and say,

When things go wrong: "San Fairy Ann."

You maybe can pronounce it right,

For we are just the "also ran"

Where proper language is concerned -

But, after all, "San Fairy Ann."

For in this bloomin' War of ours,

We've found it aye the better plan

To laugh at life when things go wrong,

And turn to old "San Fairy Ann."

When grease is swimming in the tea,

Or we have lost our rusty can,

Or "dough" is done, or leave is stopped,

We still have got "San Fairy Ann."

Ah! this is our philosophy,

However rough the goods may pan,

We grouse a bit, and swear a bit,

And then it's just "San Fairy Ann."

And if we have to stop the lead,

Then may we meet it like a man -

And say, whatever may befall,

"It's just our luck - 'San Fairy Ann.'"