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Sleeve Notes
McFarlane (Words G. Bruce Thompson. Tune Willie Kemp)
From the singing of Willie Kemp (The Cornkister), the moral being, cut out the middle man when it concerns affairs of the heart.
Bonnie Maid of Fife (N. Keir)
The Kingdom of Fife stands across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. If the weather is clear you can look over the city and see its coastline and hills in the distance.
The Wayward Wife
The origin of this tune is not known, but the words were written by Miss Jenny Graham (1724-1805) from Annandale.
Hornpipes
These tunes were taken from Kerrs Merry Melodies of Scotland. Nick overdubs whistle and tenor banjo over his original mandolin track.
Morag Fair (Words by Hector Mclver. Tune Trad, from Lewis)
Originally called The Lewis Bridal Song, not to be confused with.... Step we gaily on we go...
The Beggars Drinking Song (Trad. Adapted Nick Keir)
Believe it or believe it not, cynics, this song was collected by a friend of Nicks from an old tramp in exchange for cigarettes - the oral tradition is alive and well and living in Perth.
Kenmure (Trad.)
Kenmure was William Gordon, Viscount Kenmure, commander in chief of the Chevaliers forces in the South-West of Scotland in 1715. He advanced as far as Preston, Lancashire, where he was captured and later beheaded on Tower Hill, London on 24th February 1716.
The Iron Horse (Trad.)
From Robert Fords Vagabonds Songs and Relics. A farm labourers not so simple first impressions of a steam train and his journey from Dundee to Perth.
Song Song (Chris Rohmann)
This song has a verse, chorus, instrumental and end. Is Chris making a comment on the folk scene we ask ourselves?
Sorrowlessfield (N. Keir)
Tradition has it that the farm Sorrowlessfield got its name after the disasterous battle of Flodden. Whilst all the surrounding farms lost a son or father or both, all returned safely to Sorrowlessfield.
Drumdelgie (Trad. Ords Bothy Ballads)
From the N.E. shoulder of Scotland near Huntly. The long working day of a farm labourer under a particularly strict boss. The coldest day that ever blaws the servants get their share.
Bonnie Bands Again (Trad.)
Also called Hame Hame Hame. Its supposed to be sung by a Scottish Jacobite exile. In his Jacobite Relics Hogg says The air seems to be a modification of the old tune of Mary Scott the Flower of Yarrow.
Folksinger Blues (McCalman/Moffat/Keir)
A blues from the cottonfields somewhat North of Cecil Sharpe House. Also known as Wheatstones Lament.