Replies

Woad was a favorite attire of the Picts ("painted people") and early Britons, of course it had died out long, long before William Wallace was born . . . as the article points out that was a moviemaking anachronism (I guess just nekkid guys was a bit much - they would throw off their plaids and kick off their shoes and fight barefoot in their shirt-tails.)

And I've been waiting for YEARS to quote this song! It goes to the tune of "Men of Harlech" - the old Welsh ditty.

Woad

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 dressed 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 britches
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 !!