(Available on CD only

The Bonnie Ship The Diamond A song from the Peterhead whaling fleet dating back to early 19th Century. In 1830 three of the ships mentioned in the song The Diamond; Resolution and Eliza Swan along with 17 other ships and crews were lost when they got trapped in the ice off Greenland. The Bonnie Earl 0’ Murray In 1592 James Stewart the Earl of Moray was murdered in his Donebristle home by the Earl of Huntly, some say at the behest of the jealous King James, others think it was for private reasons. Charlie 0 Charlie The farmer of this traditional song is taking a leave of absence but is making sure the farm runs smoothly while he is gone. “Fit every man tae his station.” From John Ord’s Bothy Songs and Ballads (1930). Ord didn’t say where he got the song, but he did print a tune for it. Of a’ the Airts (Burns) Technically the song’s title is ‘I Love My Jean” and was written by Burns while on his honeymoon with Jean Armour. The tune to which Burns set the song is Miss Admiral Gordon’s Strathspey. The Auld Meal Mill “A guid auld coothie coortin’ sang frae the Nor’ east.” Johnny Lad As Folkies do, we have added a few verses to this fine traditional rant. D-Day Dodgers The title is a phrase coined by Lady Astor prior to the D Day landings in Normandy in World War 2. She referred to the troops engaged in the conflict in Italy whom she thought most erroneously were dodging the column. This song is their reply to that lady. Green Grow the Rashes (Burns) A characteristic early Burns song beautifully written to extol the virtues of the Fair Sex. Rothesay O The Isle of Bute has always been a magnet for Glaswegians on holiday. Sometimes, drink taken, the odd altercation may have occurred. Bonnie George Campbell A widow laments the killing of her husband in battle prior to the birth of their child. The song dates back to the 1500s Nicky Tams Nicky Tams were the straps or pieces of twine worn by farm workers, tied tightly below the knees to prevent the intrusion of undesirable species such as chaff or rats. Tramps and Hawkers There are many differing and varied versions of this old song, with verses suited to different areas. “For a’ gauin’ aboot bodies, like wirsels.” Arthur McBride This is an Irish protest folk song. It was first collected around 1840 in Limerick by Patrick Weston Joyce; also in Donegal by George Petrie. Several versions are found in Scotland, Suffolk and Devon - the tunes differing slightly. The song can be called an anti-recruiting song. Shoals 0’ Herrin’ (McColl) Written by Ewen McColl who based it on a young fisherman’s story of the hardships endured by and the bravery of the crews who chased the Silver Darlins. The Waddin’ (Sutherland) A young farm worker’s expectations of life after marriage. The song is by Jean Sutherland from Fife. (High Fye Music)

Recorded at the Haven Studios for Kelvin Records ©2011.

• Gordon Menzies : vocals, guitar, mandoline, banjo and harmonica.
• Robin Watson : vocals, guitar, bass guitar.
• Pete Clark : fiddle.
• John Watson : piano.
• Janet Watson : photography.
• Produced by RW.