WILLAFJORD and SPOOTISKERRY
A pair of our favourite tunes to play... not English on this occasion. They come from the Shetland Islands. The first is Willafjord and the second Spootiskerry, both probably learned by the islanders from fishing expeditions to Greenland. Enjoy!
POLLY VAUGHAN
You know those days where you take your dog out for a walk and accidentally shoot a swan who turns out to be your girlfriend with an apron over her head? Yeah, one of those...
ADIEU, SWEET LOVELY NANCY
One of Ali's favourite songs to sing, a story of true love from a sailor to his beloved.
THE DEVIL AND THE FEATHERY WIFE
Another song of true love, with a twist!
Should you find yourself in debt to the Devil then ensure you have a wife with a cunning plan...
Originally collected by the Aberdeenshire ballad collector Peter Buchan in the early 1800’s and added to his 'Secret Songs of Silence'.
THE BLACKSMITH
True love again... on one side at least! But keep your spirits up girls, you'll soon find another.
Collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1909 from a Mrs Ellen Powell of Westhope near Weobley, Herefordshire sung to the tune 'Monk's Gate', (better known as the tune of 'To be a pilgrim').
MAY DAY MORNING 2020
We may not have been able to celebrate with other people but us and the dogs, including our beautiful lurcher Ozzy who is sadly no longer with us, went to the bluebell woods and played one of our favourite tunes, Horses' Brawl to welcome in the spring.
Do enjoy Ali explaining to Graeme what key it is in at the start (and dance like a horse should you wish to).