The Woad Song.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: [Woad]
From: sorenson.qns2.qns.com (Alissa Sorenson)
Date: 26 May 1995 20:15:13 -0500

Roy Patchett (Unknown) wrote:
: I've grown woad in my garden in the UK for several years now. Originally sown from seed, it has self-seeded ever since. I've done nothing special, just ignored it! Since the seeds have overwintered in the ground, maybe they need this period of cold dormancy (known as stratification). You could try putting some sown seed in the fridge for a few weeks. Send me the woad song by all means, I've never heard of it.

Thanks for the tip. I did try keeping the seeds in the freezer, and planted them the second year I had them, but still didn't get any results. Maybe I let them freeze for too long. Are you supposed to break the "skin" on the seed for stratification?

Here's the Woad Song. I've e-mailed it to a few folks, but I'll post it for posterity.

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE ANCIENT BRITONS
Tune: Men of Harlech
(courtesy of Colin Douthwaite/soc.culture.welsh)

What's the use of wearing braces?
Vests and pants and boots with laces?
Spats and hats you buy in places
Down the Brompton Road?

What's the use of shirts of cotton?
Studs that always get forgotten?
These affairs are simply rotten,
Better far is woad.

Woad's the stuff to show men.
Woad to scare your foemen.
Boil it to a brilliant hue
And rub it on your back and your abdomen.

Ancient Briton ne'er did hit on
Anything as good as woad to fit on
Neck or knees or where you sit on.
Tailors you be blowed!!

Romans came across the channel
All wrapped up in tin and flannel
Half a pint of woad per man'll
Dress us more than these.

Saxons you can waste your stitches
Building beds for bugs in breeches
We have woad to clothe us which is
Not a nest for fleas.

Romans keep your armours.
Saxons your pyjamas.
Hairy coats were made for goats,
Gorillas, yaks, retriever dogs and llamas.

Tramp up Snowdon with your woad on,
Never mind if you get rained or blowed on.
Never want a button sewed on.
Go it Ancient B's!!

Cheers! - Alissa