The sun it never gangs doun.
10:
The Battle o Harlaw • Jock Duncan
The battle at Harlaw in Aberdeenshire fought in 1411 between Higlander and Lowlander was a disaster for both sides.
As I cam in by Dunideer,
An doun by Netherha,
I saw fifty thoosan Hielanmen,
Aa marchin tae Harlaw.
O a dirrum a doo a daddie O a dirrum a doo a day.
11:
Whistle O’er the Lave O’t • Jo Miller
A medley of three mouth music songs from Shetland.
My mither sent me tae the sea, for tae gaither mussels three;
A sailor lad fell in wi me, an whistle o’er the lave o’t.
Ma mither sent me tae the well, better she had gaen hersel;
The bottom o the daffock fell, so whistle o’er the lave o’t.
12:
Spread the Green Branches • Bob Lewis
An old, rare and rather beautiful song that Bob learned from an old neighbour of his mother’s in Heyshott, West Sussex.
O spread the green branches, O whilst I am young,
So well did I like my love so sweeltlye she sung;
Was ever a man in such happy estate,
As me with my Flora, fair Flora so brave.
13:
The Lothian Hairst • Jimmy Hutchison
From the days of the hand reaping when squads of men travelled south from Aberdeen to follow the ripening crop north.
On August twelfth frae Aberdeen we sailèd on the Prince,
And landed safe in Stafford’s fields oor harvest tae commence.
14:
Sir Patrick Spens • Jock Duncan
The ballad may derive from an actual event when the Scottish Queen Margaret, Maid of Norway was sent for in 1290.
The king sits in Dunfermline Toun,
Drinkin his bleed reid wine;
Spierin, “Far will I get a skeely skipper,
That’ll sail the saut seas fine?”
15:
Mill o Tiftie’s Annie • Chris Milesn
The miller’s daughter falls for Lord Fyvie’s handsome trumpeter but her father does not approve and disaster follows.
At Mill o Tifty lived a man,
In the neigbourhood o Fyvie;
And he had a lovely daughter fair,
And they caad her bonnie Annie.
16:
Bandy’s Roup • Jim Taylor
Retirement often brings a sad day for a farmer - the need to sell up, calling in the auctioneer for a displenishing sale or roup.
Aul Bandy he wis roupin oot, his fairmin days were deen,
He bocht a wee bit hoosie in the toun o Aiberdeen;
Noo aa his stock and implements were aa gaun up for sale,
He’d even sell the moosetrap an the aul slop pail.
17:
The Drowned Lovers • Bob Lewis
A maid is overheard lamenting for her lover lost at sea. Turning down an offer of marriage she throws herself into the ocean.
As I walkèd out down by the sea shore,
Where the wind and the waves and the billows did roar;
There I heard a strange voice make a terrible sound,
Was the wind and the waves and the echoes all round.
Crying, “Oh, oh my love has gone he’s the youth I adore,
He’s gone and I never shall see him no more.”
18:
The Parting Glass • Jo Miller
A fine song to sing when a gathering of friends comes to the end of the day - or when a ceilidh draws to a close.
Come friends and companions come join me in rhyme,
And lift up your voices in chorus wi mine;
Lift up your voices all grief to refrain,
For we may or might never all meet here again.
Cover Picture: Arthur Watson gives credit to Jimmy McBeath - source singer for many great old songs including the title song on this CD and on Jimmy’s 1978 Topic album. The full size model of Jimmy was made by Penicuik artist Jan Miller.
Credits: Thanks to all the singers who have given free use of their recordings to the East of Scotland Traditional Song Group.
Recorded live by Tom Spiers during the Fife Traditional Singing Festivel, Collessie May 2009.
Design & transcriptions by Peter Shepheard. All songs traditional arranged by the singer except where noted.