YE JACOBITES BY NAME - Our theme song, written by Burns and a rattlin' good way to start the evening.
KILLIECRANKIE - Also by Burns, tells the story of the battle on 27 July 1689 where John Graham of Claverhouse, 'Bonnie Dundee' met his death at the height of the battle.
ROSES OF PRINCE CHARLIE - By Ronnie Browne of the Corries. A great song starting with the Jacobite risings and ending with a list of some of what makes Scotland great
WESTLIN WINDS - Remarkably this lyric was first composed, for Peggy Thomson, when Robert Burns was only 16 years old. The version sung here is that of the Kilmarnock Edition of 1786 to a tune called 'I Had a Horse, I Had Nae Mair'
MacPHERSONS RANT - The story of James 'Clunie' MacPherson. MacPherson was a fiddle player and freebooter. Caught and sentenced to hang, a reprieve was signed and on the way but by changing the town clock, he was executed before it arrived. Legend has it that before being strung up, he played a few tunes and smashed his fiddle to prevent anyone else playing it. We use this to ward off fiddle players!
NO MANS LAND - By the Australian songwriter/singer Eric Bogle. An anti-war song writen in 1976 after a visit to a WW1 military cemetary. Also known as 'The Green Fields of France.' There were 3 W. McBrides killed in 1916 during the Somme offensive. 2 lie at Authuile Military Cemetary and one is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial as still 'missing in action'
WEE CHINA PIG - Also by Eric Bogle. A love song for the first warm this he shared his bed with, a china clay hot water bottle!
NORTHERN LIGHTS/STORNOWAY/ROAD TO DUNDEE - A waltz around Scotland, starting with the well known Northern Lights of old Aberdeen, followed by the tune Stornoway and ending with a song along the Road to Dundee. You can dance or sing along.
THE WEST WIND - 'borrowed' from Gaberlunzie and a great song about more than the national weather
SOUND THE PIBROCH - The story of the '45 Jacobite Rising from the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlies' standard at Glenfinnan in August 1745, through the gathering of the Highland Army to the last battle fought on British soil at Drumossie Moor, Culloden on 16 April 1746. Following the battle, the remnants of the Princes army were either slaughtered where they lay injured or were hunted down and killed. As for the Prince....some say he ran like a rabbit and others say that he 'escaped' Either way, he went on the run to the Western Isles and escaped to the continent where he died in Rome, on January 31st 1788. The English respone to the '45 was to outlaw much of Highland life and tradition, including Bagpipes which were deemed to be 'an instrument of war' and highland dress. Thousands were forced to emigrate where they left their mark on the USA, Canada, Australia.....
THE LEA RIG - Burns expanded the lyrics of the early song, but reportedly was not too happy with the results. His song is often known as My Ain Kind Dearie. We are very happy with the result.
MASSACRE OF GLENCOE - Written as recently as 1963 by Jim McLean and tells the story of the massacre of members of the MacDonalds of Glencoe in February 1692.
FLOWER OF SCOTLAND - By the late Ron Williamson of the Corries. Adopted as a 'national anthem' of sorts. Always gets the arms waving.............all together now....'right up yer kilt'
AULD LANG SYNE - Either the full song or the shorter 'jumping up and down' version. A wee look back at happy times and for the benefit of our American friends, SYNE not ZYNE!
CALEDONIA - By Dunkeld singer/songwriter Dougie MacLean. Another 'anthem' and a great home sickness song. Better for the fact it makes no reference to any other nation. A Scottish No.1 for Frankie Miller and used to advertise BEER!!!!!!
LONG DECEMBER NIGHT - By Ivan Drever. The nights are fair drawing in.
ROSE OF St MAGNUS - A beautiful tune, also by Ivan and writen for the Stained Glass Window in St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney.
THE BATTLE OF HARLAW - The battle, near Aberdeen in 1411 was between Highlanders and Lowlanders. Both sides claimed victory. The song records accurately the numbers killed.
