Anne Lorne Gillies: An Long Hirteach / St Kilda Mail-boat

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Media: CD
Genre: Folk & Traditional
Catalogue Number: BRIGHBR003
Label: Brigh
Released: 2004

Bringing to life the old songs of St Kilda

Academic, Dr Anne Lorne Gillies is also a distinguished Gaelic singer.  Her collection of the old songs from the remote Scottish islands of St Kilda, including many songs  which have never before been recorded.

A new album of both historical and musical importance has been launched by the Trust. âThe St Kilda Mail Boatâ brings together very old and previously unrecorded songs of St Kilda.

The album has been carefully researched and brings to life the people who once lived in the islands. The 20 songs tell the stories of the many characters who once lived in these remote islands, telling tales of love and longing and loss, work and play, happiness and sorrow.

âThe idea for the album first arose when I was performing on board the National Trust for Scotlandâs annual Hebridean cruise. The St Kildans have been described as unusually musical and I have tried to reflect this in every one of the songs on the album. The songs are full of local colour, customs, language, preoccupations and a way of thinking that could only have been emanated from this most remote of communitiesâ, said Anne.

The album was literally launched in a custom made mail-boat from the shores of Hirta, the largest of the St Kilda islands. A specially designed mail-boat, just big enough to hold a CD, has been made by piper and wood worker Duncan MacColl. Traditionally the people on St Kilda would send messages in similar vessels, which would reach the shores of Shetland or Scandinavia.

Tracklist

  1. Leac na Gàdaig / On a cliff-edge
  2. Gura Thall ann an Sòaigh / It was over in Soay
  3. Cas na caora Hirtich o / The St Kilda sheep's shank
  4. Do dhà shùil bheag bhiolach / Your two beady little eyes
  5. Ãran luiadh Hirteach / St Kilda waulking-song
  6. Thulgag bhòidheach / Lovely "Tulgag"
  7. Cha b'e sgioba na Faiche / Not the crew of the "Faiche"
  8. Na tri Nèill chalma / The three brave Neils
  9. The Lady Grange
  10. 'S truagh a Rìgh nach mi bha thallad o / I wish I was over there
  11. Iorram suirghe / A courtship rowing-song
  12. Ãran na h-ighinne Hirtich / The St Kildan maiden's song
  13. Mo ghaol òigear a' chùil duinn / I love the brown-haired young man
  14. Rè an t-samhraidh bha mo dhùil ris / I waited for him all summer
  15. Tàladh cailin an fhuilt òr-bhuidhe / Lullaby for the golden-haired girl
  16. Ewan and the gold
  17. St Kilda waulking-song
  18. From St Kilda to Kings Cross
  19. St Kilda's Parliament - 1879-1979: the photographer revisits his picture
  20. Tuireadh nan Hirteach / The Lament of the St Kildans

View directory entry for Anne Lorne Gillies

View directory entry for Duncan MacColl

View profile of Edward McGuire

View profile of Edward McGuire

View directory entry for Rhona MacKay

Supported by:

Scottish Music Centre is supported by the Scottish Arts Council Scottish Music Centre is supported by the IMC Scottish Music Centre is supported by IAMIC

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