The Anchoress

My son Buster has an expression he uses when he is amused by stories of Celtic excess. “Freakin’ Irish,” he will say with a rueful shake of the head, or “Freakin’ Scots.”

He once read an interview with U2’s Bono wherein the reporter recounted an episode on the streets of Dublin. Stopped at a light, with Bono driving, a pedestrian walks past, sees the singer, punches the car and yells, “Bono, you bastard,” and then simply walks on.

That’s the sort of story that makes Buster say, with a fond smile, “freakin’ Irish.”

Or, a few years ago, during an unfortunate “Braveheart” period, during which he acquired a kilt and sword (which he still wears) and a thing for painting his face blue, we gave in and traveled to a Scots festival, where men ate sheep innards and tossed large pine trees for distance. It was…really, quite madcap. The bagpipes! The highland flings and reels! It was Brigadoon!

Buster, completely in touch with his roots, was in his glory. “Freakin’ SCOTS,” he howled with glee.

The “Sod off, Swampy!” episode recounted here, and here delighted Buster so much he is asking for the tee shirt for his birthday. “Freakin’ English! I love it!”

Understand. The expression and the shake of the head are done with a smile of admiration and some little bit of pride. Having the Scots-Irish-English-German combination from me, his mother, examples of Celtic/Anglo eccentricities gladden his heart and bring a glow to his cheek, for although he looks like an olive-skinned Italian (albeit with a braw Irish build) his heart is pure Celtic Whimsey. Zoot suits. Spats. Tuxedos on a school day. Brawling-for-fun. Spy outfits. The kilt. The bagpipes. (Dear Lord, the bagpipes - he wants me to buy a house with a widow’s walk on it, just so he can go up there and play the pipes!!). The social commentary.

So I know that when he comes home from school today, he will take a great deal of pleasure in this video (H/T Newton), a song spoof done by British troops, which is pretty goofball and fun.

Staff Sgt Roger Parr, 34, teamed up with troops from the Royal Dragoon Guards tank regiment to shoot the video at their base in Al Faw, Iraq, before emailing it back to Army friends in London.

But Staff Sgt Parr, from Runcorn, said the Army’s top brass had enjoyed the video. “I heard it had crashed the MoD’s email system, but it had done no harm and everyone had loved it,” he said. “I didn’t get into trouble.”

Good for the Brit troops, who are entitled to have a bit of fun! Buster is gonna love it. I can hear him now, “Freakin’ English!”