Touch not the cat bot a glove

[creagdhubh]

Steve Wright sings a song that uses that motto. You can find it here: http://www.eswright.com/music-19.html

And also here if you scroll way down the page. It is easier to figure out what the chorus is on this page: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=26070

I wish you all the best for your wedding.

Interesting, yet the lyrics have no concrete or factual connection with the Clan Macpherson-with exception of the insertion of the clan's motto. Thank you though!

[thescot]

How about this?

"Touch not the Cat"

Father dear Father.
It's your only son.
Who ran to the army.
For adventure and fun.
Fighting yanks for King George.
In a battle not won.
So he gave us land north, Nova Scotia.

Now my land I have cleared it.
I've built me a home.
I have pulled root and burnt stump.
Pulled out many a stone.
And at the end of each day.
I hear Father to Son.
Touch not the cat but a glove.

CHRS...
When the moon rises up on the water.
That's when I'm thinking of you.
For it lights up the bay.
To my home far away.
Dear old Scotland, the highlands and you.

Oh Mother dear Mother.
You can hear me I pray.
I have married a young lass.
From New England way.
And she's born us three children.
Yes I've named them true.
One for Father, myself and for you.

Oh my Marion loves me.
and I love her true.
We work hard together.
do the best for our brood.
And she loves 'em and scrubs 'em.
I know you'd approve.
She's the salt of the earth just like you.

Repeat Chrs..

High on a hilltop.
Over looking the bay.
Young william MacIntosh.
Kneels there to pray.
For he longs for his homeland.
His parents his friends.
But he knows he'll not see them again.

Final Chrs..
And the moon rises up on the water.
A scar burns deep in his soul.
Many lives has the cat.
Much beauty much love.
But touch not the cat but a glove.

E.S.Wright/Socan

From his CD "Life around the Bay"

[ThistleDown]

Yes, Jim, it is far more likely that if there is reference to Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove in a song it refers to the Clan Chattan and the Mackintoshes -- as in your example -- than it would to the Macphersons. There are others within the Clan Chattan confederation who use it, of course: the Macgillivrays and the Macbeans being just two, but the oldest by far is the Mackintosh use in their own right and in right as captains of Clan Chattan. It would seem that all others took the cat and the motto from their membership in the Clan Chattan.

[n5rmj]

Not exactly what we were seeking, but I found this item in the Creag Dhubh #56:


As a life member of the Macpherson Clan
I'm as proud as any man
To be in this wonderful association
Where kinfolk come from many a nation

Our Scottishness we cannot hide
Though our members are worldwide
No matter where our kin are from
At the Gathering they'll feel at home

Our motto says 'Touch Not The Cat'
There is more to it than that
It also says 'But a Glove'
As we show friendship and love

Some day at the Gathering I'll be there
No doubt Macpherson Tartan I'll wear
I'm certain I will feel at home
No matter where I've come from

I could write you another page
Of being proud of my heritage
And there is more that I could tell
So now I'll bid you a Macpherson Farewell

Mr. C. MacPherson, Scotland, September 2003

[Macman]

OT, but thank you Lyle1 and Jim for the Steve Wright references. I'd never heard of him before, but have just ordered his two CD's. I just had to get them after reading the words to the song quoted by Jim.

[creagdhubh]

Not exactly what we were seeking, but I found this item in the Creag Dhubh #56:


As a life member of the Macpherson Clan
I'm as proud as any man
To be in this wonderful association
Where kinfolk come from many a nation

Our Scottishness we cannot hide
Though our members are worldwide
No matter where our kin are from
At the Gathering they'll feel at home

Our motto says 'Touch Not The Cat'
There is more to it than that
It also says 'But a Glove'
As we show friendship and love

Some day at the Gathering I'll be there
No doubt Macpherson Tartan I'll wear
I'm certain I will feel at home
No matter where I've come from

I could write you another page
Of being proud of my heritage
And there is more that I could tell
So now I'll bid you a Macpherson Farewell

Mr. C. MacPherson, Scotland, September 2003

Sorry I took so long to respond. I couldn't locate anything in particular to the original query of interest. I'd go with the poem from the #56 issue of Creag Dhubh, glad to see that you are reading past issues! I have a physical copy of every issue of Creag Dhubh, if you would like to own the actual copy. No cost to you.

Slainte,

[MacBean]

Na bean dón chat gun lamhainn lean gu dluth ri cliu do shinnsear

Is that what you wanted, the Gaelic? Not mine, lifted off the internet.

[creagdhubh]

Na bean dón chat gun lamhainn lean gu dluth ri cliu do shinnsear

Is that what you wanted, the Gaelic? Not mine, lifted off the internet.

No mate, that's just the motto in Gaelic. Thanks though.