Just a Wee Deoch an Doris, Before we gang awa’ –

One for the Road

If you like old films there is a terrific video of the legendary Sir Harry Lauder singing his signature tune, which is about ‘one for the road.’ The subject of the song is the old phrase a deoch-an-doris which in  modern usage would mean a drink at the door, that is to say on your way out to go home and it would involve the quaich, or a stirrup cup. The stirrup in question of course was on your horse, which hadn’t been drinking and could happily take you home without much guidance from the rider.

Last Orders

Now as the the landlord closes the pub you might just occasionally hear the term a wee deoch-an-doris with a drinker trying to have one last drink before the bus home, drink driving being very much a thing of the past. The phrase is almost  literally one for the road and good night to all. It’s a great old Scottish custom and it has its own song from the great Sir Harry as i mentioned above,  so sing along as you read! I will, but I’m a show off.

There’s a good old Scottish custom

That has stood the taste of time

It’s a custom that’s been carried out

In every land and clime

Where brother Scots forgather

Its aye the usual thing

Just before we say goodnicht,

We fill our cups and sing ...

Just a wee deoch an doris,

Just a wee dram that’s a’

Just a wee deoch an doris,

Before we gang awa’

New Orders

But before you leave this page have a look at some of the fine goods that have on offer in our whisky gift pages that are a treat to browse. I had a look and there is an enormous selection there, so I’ve refined it down a bit to help. If you want to celebrate the national drink, and who wouldn’t, then is is the place to do it. And if you are determined to have the cup of friendship the Quaich then there is a little belter, but with a candle in it, who says you can’t be inventive with Shearer Candles - Highland Quaich - Cup of Friendship Ae Fond Kiss, a Quaich with a candle in it!

https://www.jamespirie.com/whisky-gifts.html?dir=desc&limit=60&order=created_at

 

https://www.jamespirie.com/ae-fond-kiss-quaich-cup-of-friendship.html