Tag Archives: Music

Great Scot! music for March, 14, 2014 – Runrig – Alba

I had a request for Runrig as our musical selection for the day and am happy to oblige. I was first introduced to Runrig by a dear friend in Cape Breton who is a huge Runrig and Bruce Guthro fan and I really enjoy their music.  Although an older song, I thought this particular track was truly appropriate for the Great Scot blog for several reasons.  First, it’s all about Scotland (Alba). Second, the lyrics in the video are presented in both the sung Gàidhlig as well as the English translation.  I find this very helpful both for knowing what the lyrics of the song mean and also to help fix the sounds of the Gàidhlig words in my mind.  I’m a very visual learner and adding music makes it  easier for me to remember things. I used to memorize formulas in school by setting them to music in my mind.  Hmm, maybe I should try singing my Gàidhlig lessons?

I hope everyone enjoys today’s music!

Runrig – Alba

Great Scot! music recommendation for March 12, 2014 – Griogair – Dail-riata

I found this piece thanks to a Cape Breton friend of mine. Thanks, Carole!  It’s a breathtaking piece. I wish I understood enough Gàidhlig to know exactly what it is saying but I love the introduction and his obvious love for his culture.  This video was recorded at the 2008 Celtic Connections Festival.  I really hope to make it to Celtic Connections some day.

Griogair – Dail-riata

http://youtu.be/4Bz77zNeHfA

Great Scot! All about Waulking or Milling Frolics

I thought I would start this week off looking at a very specific type of Scottish song associated with the waulking of cloth.  It is only in Scotland (and by migration to Nova Scotia) that waulking became closely associated with traditional Gàidhlig songs. Women used the rhythmic songs to both help them in their work and also to pass the time more enjoyably.

Waulking (also known as fulling) is the process in making cloth where it is beaten to make it thicker and water resistant (especially needed in Scotland). Fulling mills were introduced in medieval times but in many more remote and self-sufficient areas, the process continued to be done by hand up into the 20th century. As part of the exodus of Highland Scots during the Clearances after the failed uprising in 1745, the process was carried to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in the new world where the process became known as milling.  There are still milling frolics held today in an effort to maintain old traditions.

A short explanation of milling:

For those of an Outlandish persuasion, Diana Gabaldon does a great scene describing waulking in Dragonfly in Amber: Continue reading →

Great Scot! music recommendation for March 10, 2014 – Rankin Family Gaelic Melody

I’ve returned once again to Gàidhlig songs for our musical recommendation today.  I wanted something especially upbeat to help deal with post-DST Monday morning blahs.  This is the Rankin Family with one of my favorite pieces.  I like the fact that the medley has a range of tempos.

Interestingly, I had the opportunity to speak to Raylene one time about the Gaelic songs that were in the Rankin Family repertoire. She told me that they mostly learned the songs phonetically since none of the sisters spoke Gàidhlig.  I thought this was interesting since the Rankins are from Mabou, Cape Breton, NS where Gàidhlig traditions have held pretty strong.

Rankin Family – Gaelic Medley

Great Scot! Music recommendation for March 7, 2014 – Malinky – The Dreadful End of Marianna …

I thought to round out this week of Non-Gaelic songs, we would go with a great positive, upbeat ballad with a happy ending…oh, wait…Scotland doesn’t have any of those! 😉

So instead I give you one of my favorite tragic ballads.  This could have been Claire if #JAMMF hadn’t arrive in the nick of time.

Malinky – The Dreadful End of Marianna for Sorcery