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Gordon
Posts: 745
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 09:13 |
I've started doing a groupwork class for Feis Rois. As many of you will be aware, the standard of instrumental playing among young Scots has exploded in the last 20 years or so, and we have some great Gaelic role models like Julie Fowlis. However I've been increasingly aware that many folk songs which you might have thought were a bit hackneyed are often fairly unknown to the young teenage age group.
I am of an age to remember having good 'sing-songs' (is it just me, or does even that word sound a bit old-fashioned?) at get-togethers in the pub or at partiies etc, but I don't seem to hear of them much now.
So I plan to concentrate this groupwork class on Scottish songs -old and new- which I think they should know. It's a class where they take their instruments, so hopefully they are going to become more familiar with accompanying songs, particularly by ear. Busking along in fact, not making a big arrangement out of it.
Now I find that there are a few songs which they have heard such as Skye Boat Song and Mairi's Wedding, plus some modern songs like Flower of Scotland and 500 Miles (they rarely know the words), but I would like some ideas for songs for this project.
We are definitely talking songs which might be considered hackneyed such as The Wild Rover. Why not?
I made a start at this yesterday with Caledonia by Dougie MacLean and Will Ye Go Lassie Go (MacPeake Family? Irish? They should know it anyway). The kids seemed to like the songs, and were vaguely familiar with them.
So nothing too complicated. Songs that you think kids could relate to (I do wonder about bothy ballads in this context but I think we need to try) which make for a good singsong.
Some initial ideas of the sort of thing which I have in mind:
The Bonny Lass o' Fyvie, MacPherson's Rant, Killiecrankie, maybe Shoals of Herring, Barnyards of Delgaty, etc.
Thoughts? Ideas?
Dagger |
Elizabeth.
Posts: 5613
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 09:28 |
| Yellow on the Broom |
JAJ
Posts: 11366
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 09:39 |
I could suggest many but there's an old saying..
"Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you'll feed him for a lifetime.." :-)
So, my suggestion would be to check the track lists of old albums by bands such as The Corries, early McCalmans, even The Dubliners, this fellow here
(Actually, Nigel's site is a great source for this) and so on.
I'm sure North Sea Gas would also be a good source for the type of songs you are looking for too.... |
David Francis
Posts: 446
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 09:46 |
This is excellent. Well done, Dagger. If you can get hold of a copy of Norman Buchan's 'Scottish Folksinger' there are loads of likely candidates in there.
I'm involved in a similar groupwork class for the Youth Gaitherin in Craigmillar in Edinburgh. We've done Caledonia, Wild Mountain Thyme and the Bonnie Lass o Fyvie too. Their favourites include a couple of Burns songs, Banks and Braes and the Deil's Awa, along with Katie Bairdie (get them to make up their own words), P stands for Paddy, Bonnie Ship the Diamond, the Dottered Auld Carle. We did Alison Cross at Hallowe'en one time and they all loved that. Anything with a chorus goes down well. |
JAJ
Posts: 11366
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 10:06 |
| Norman Buchan's book is an excellent choice and there were actually quite a few songs in there which I hadn't heard (About thirty years ago)...but should have...... as well as the more obvious ones. |
EKanne
Posts: 109
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 10:08 |
What about Fareweel tae Tarwathie, The Forfar Sodger, The Jute Mill Song (Mary Brooksbank), Bonnie George Campbell, Ludgin' wi' Big Aggie, The Overgate/Beefcan Close, The Plooman Laddies are a' the Go, The Balaena?
When I remember learning these songs umpteen years ago, I remember also why they were so attractive --good, recognisable melodies; real rhythms (some gentle, some rumbustious); meaningful words; humour when appropriate. Though not necessarily always in that order! And I particularly remember the sheer joy of being in a big group and making a big noise!
Back to songs -- there's also Coorie Doon (Matt McGinn), Fine Flowers in the Valley, Come a' ye Tramps and Hawker Lads, Tae the Begging, Rothesay Oh, The Auld Maid in a Garret, The Calton Weaver, The Work o' the Weavers, The Bonnie Ship the Diamond, Blood on the Water (Nancy Nicolson's song about Piper Alpha), I'm a Rover, I am a Miller tae my Trade.....
I may well return to this thread when I think of more! |
Gordon
Posts: 745
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 10:27 |
That's the stuff, guys. Thanks.
Yes JAJ. Alex Campbell. Just the job! |
gordimhor
Posts: 105
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 10:33 |
| What about The Black Douglas or The Gallowa Hills also plenty of Burns songs like Green grow the rushes o or Ye Jacobites by Name. Sorry if these have been suggested already |
kintail kid
Posts: 40
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Posted:
20 Nov 2009 at 23:14 |
Some suggestions:
Twa Corbies
Johnny Cope
Jock O Hazeldean
Bonnie Dundee
Caller Herrin'
Leezie Lindsay.
Coulter's Candy.
Willie's gone to Mellville Castle
As mentioned above Burns and the Corries are excellent sources.
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EKanne
Posts: 109
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 08:39 |
Never underestimate the power of a chorus as a hook to pull in the less confident, or even the unwilling -- and if there's a cheeky (or even a naughty) element, so much the better.
Think of The Pear Tree, The Goodlooking Widow, Sleepytoon (and the great release of energy in the final verse -- " An' I'll gie him a len' o' ma hankie / For tae dicht his snottery nose"!).
There is also sometimes a gender divide in what proves attractive. |
BGM
Posts: 176
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 10:41 |
There are other books of good songs out there too. Doesn't Coda (Mound) keep a stock?
One I had a small hand in is 'Come gie's a sang' published by Hardie Press. Don't know if it's still in print. |
TheBlueBandana
Posts: 339
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 13:28 |
Songs I remember getting taught at school include:
The Welly Boot Song
When the Martians Came to Glasgow
The Jelly Piece Song (Skyscraper Wean)
The Dark Island
Auld Lang Syne
Flower of Scotland
Mhairi's Wedding
Skye Boat Song
Eriskay Love Lilt
The Tangle o the Isles
Coulter's Candy |
Tam O' Shanter
Posts: 202
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 14:20 |
Steel & Stone (off Kris Drever's excellent Black Water CD)
Fiery Cross - Gaberlunzie
The End Of An Auld Song - Eric Bogle |
interested
Posts: 269
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 16:47 |
I read at the beginning of this thread that a groupwork class will take place at Feis Rois with Scottish songs and with titles like Flower of Scotlandor the Skye Boat song I can only think they must be sung in English. What is meant by Scottish songs here as I understood that the various Feis including Feis Rois are about promoting the Gaelic language and culture.
I really enjoy Robert Burns songs and many others from the tradition and but I understood that the various feis that took place were in Gaelic or is this like the event I went to recently where the only Gaelic seen but not heard was the title.
Can someone please explain? |
Robton
Posts: 79
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 16:50 |
| I kinda wonder why children at Feis Rois are not learning Gaelic songs? |
Gordon
Posts: 745
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 18:32 |
The kids do learn Gaelic, and a great deal of importance is given to that, particularly at their residential Feisean. There are also Gaelic song classes.
I have been doing a weekly guitar class for Feis Rois for many years, and I have never taught in Gaelic because
a: I can't speak it.
b; Neither can most of the kids.
The 'groupwork' classes are a new initiative and I was asked to do it. For the record, the material we have been working on include Gaelic songs and fiddle tunes. However, as I noted earlier, I have been aware that few kids have much knowledge of non-Gaelic Scots songs and as part of the groupwork class I hope to improve that and indeed try to get them to sing a bit more. I don't see that groupwork need be entirely instrumental or sung in Gaelic all the time. |
Auldtimer
Posts: 3011
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 20:31 |
| I think it's an excellent idea, Gordon, and well done! I am in favour of ALL of our children being given an insight into ALL of our full rich culture. |
AW
Posts: 34
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 20:39 |
| Matt McGinn - great source of songs for children and some not! |
AW
Posts: 34
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 20:39 |
| Matt McGinn - great source of songs for children and some not! |
interested
Posts: 269
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Posted:
21 Nov 2009 at 21:25 |
| It seems as if this Feis has lost sight of the Gaelic objectives, or so it would appear. |
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