Frances or Frlly (The Gaelic Singer ) as she is generally known sings for pleasure, specialising in Gaelic Song and taking part in the Senior Solo Competitions in the Scottish Mod.
Frlly is a co/producer and presenter of two programmes on Dunoon Community Radio Thursday evenings ALL THINGS MOD-THE SAGA CONTINUES and Saturday afternoon with ARGYLLCOUNTRY FOLK
Frlly- sings in Gaelic as well
Saturday’s ARGYLLCOUNTRYFOLK Programme is not a million miles away from Thursday’s programme “All Things Mod –The Saga Continues”.
Traditional Scottish Music has always been very popular with listeners of Dunoon Community Radio hence the success of the weekly Thursday programmes which features Gaelic traditional song, music and the spoken word with popular presenters Mary, Jenifer and Frlly.
Frlly now takes us to the traditional music and song of Scottish Folk Music from long before the Folk Revival of the sixties to the present day folk with the emerging 21st century, traditional and forward looking folk music.
From Classic folk from a time when you called it a vinyl record to the latest artist from the yearly Folk Awards and the Scottish Traditional Music Awards to the latest in new releases and re-issues from birnhamCD with weekly reviews of the best sellers from All Celtic Music .
Frlly will also keep you informed not only of local concerts and folk events but what’s happening across the “Watter” including the famous”Live at the Star Club” in Glasgow
Fryll In the Studio
Frances (Frlly)
TARA LYNN
Frances is also a member of
Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh (Sgioba Luaidh is a group specialising in Gaelic work songs, particularly those which were sung by women when waulking the tweed.)
Fryll In Her Presenters Dress (Optional)
This Year the Royal National Mod will be held in Dunoon in October and Frances will be looking forward to competing in one or two events .
Frances has recently taken up the position of DCR Mod Information Co-Ordinator, essentially gathering and forwarding on information on all aspects of the Mod including co-presenting a special Thursday evening programme TLLLVLBS MOD UPDATE called ALL THINGS MOD which will run right up to and including the MOD Event to be held 12th October to 19th October
Frances is looking forward to introducing to the listeners many locals including many children who will be setting their sights on competing or being involved in this years MOD 2012 and will also be talking to many competitors not only from other areas of Scotland but from all over the world.
Fryll will keep everyone informed as to what is happening by posting “her Mod Diary” as soon as able after each programme and will also post other gaelic issues in her “Diary Supplements” all here on her presenters page .
Should you wish to ask Fryll anything ALL THINGS MOD you may do so by using the Comments box at the bottom of the page and she will be only to happy to reply to you here and possibly on air in her Thursday programme
Dunoon Fiddle Workshop Juniors with Victor and Frilly
Junior Fiddlers on air
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ANYONE interested in the An Comunn Gaidhealach Society requirements for GOLD MEDAL, SILVER PENDANT, and OPEN Competitions in the Royal National Mod
Please check out http://www.spanglefish.com/FRLLY‘sPAGE in the JUNE folder where this information has just been inserted. FRLLY has also produced information sheets in the same folder for those who may want to know who, where, how and why.
Topagan THURSDAY 21st June
Our Special Guest tonight was Callum Satchell
Local musician, Fiddle player and Singer specializing in Scottish Music. Who came along to help us in our quest to inform our listener on the Prescribed Pieces in the Royal National Mod set for the Junior age group.
He researched the first two songs in the 5-6 age catagory and was able to translate and advise on their origins. Using his fiddle he played the music having apologised that he would not be able to sing the songs due to a bad throat.
He also played the music to a couple of the Senior Prescribed Pieces which brought memories forward to us former members of the Cowal Gaelic Choir, Mary, Frlly and Callum and Sgianach Victor, of the National Mod when it was last held in Portree on the Isle of Skye.
Rhona also added to the readings of prescribed poems this week An T-Uisge and An Luchd. And Nuala kept us up to date on the activities of the Cowal Ladies Shinty Team.
DGS “QUEEN” CAST TO VISIT DCR97.4fm
Principle members of last weeks “Queen Rock You” concert will be visiting the studio on Thursday at 6.30pm meaning this weeks All thing Mod will be a shortened edition although we are hoping to start earlier. This was the only time the busy members of the cast could come in to chat to us about their acclaimed performance and hopefully sing for us.
SANDBANK GALA DAY
MOVED forward to SUNDAY 17 June
Due to the extremely wet weather on the Saturday
How fortunate this was for me because I was able to visit the Gala Day whereas usually I would be working.
Tara came too and immediately pulled me through the crowds to her favourite Gala Day Place to buy an ice-cream cone which I was allowed to share with her.
Blacks Transport Lorry / Stage just happened to be alongside so we got a ringside seat to the acts on stage. Jacqueline McColm’s musical singing with her ukele, the Dunoon Grammar School Singers and the Cowal Fiddle Workshop all took their turn on stage.
Tara had just missed the Dog Show but made up for it by meeting all the dogs. Frlly made contact with the Gaelic Parents Group Representative and acquired some material for the Radio Show; visited the Red Squirrel information stall and the Sandbank Gaelic Units Stall alongside and was entertained by the diverse designs produced by the face painter. The sun shone and we met many old friends as we wandered around the arena. The Tug of war was held on the grassy sward on Rankins Brae and supported by many parents the girls won a tug-of-war heat while we watched.
FRLLY
ELSA MACTAGGART AT STRACHUR 2012
Having heard Victor’s Show on Friday evening and heard him talking of Elsa’s
Show at Strachur Hall on Sunday evening . Victor had played one of her own compositions on air and I knew that this was my type of music.
As 7.30 approached a small and select audience sat down in the specially created atmospheric set for the evenings entertainment. Elsa and Garry had created the effect of one of the top night clubs of Paris or Berlin with cleverly chosen stage accoutrements.
There followed two and half hours of Elsa’s own compositions, stories of their travels around Grand Canarie, Ireland and Scotland on Tour . Playing the Electric Acoustic Guitar, Electric fiddle . Her composition of the “underwater piper” and The Wind in the Bamboo was played on the Penny Whistle. Playing Irish melodies on the Button Box which, she told us, was an easy instrument to play in the front passenger seat of a motorhome!
However it was her singing and Fiddle playing that really made the night and I would like to find another time on her tour that I could enjoy it all again.
FRLLY
Some Musical special guests along for Thursdays programme
Aberfeldy Provincial Mod, A big well done to Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir for 1st in the Puirt with 95 for music, & 92 for Gaelic, & a comfortable 2nd place behind Glasgow Islay in the Westcroft Trophy, sorry I couldn’t be there.
(from our correspondent)
All Matters MOD2012 NEW MAGAZINE TOPAGAN 7th JUNE
Brought to the Listener Recent News of Provincial Gaelic Mods
Feis and Music Festivals ocurring in Scotland this month
Using the mediums of GAELIC / SCOTS AND English VICTOR, FRLLY, MARY and their team of Presenters and Studio Guests entertained with Poems, Live Music and at 6.25 the Youngsters Listening Time with Sound Quiz The Favourite Bedtime Story was replaced by a Story told by FRLLY to illustrate how far sound can travel across a quiet landscape.
LISTEN IN AGAIN on the 14th June
Topaig = a Lark or Sky lark Topagan
Not used yet as a magazine, radio title TOPAGAN
What do you think? For our Gaelic Magazine it sounds enough like Topic
All aboard the Skylark!! Skylarks rise high into the air and sing their news across the fields on their descent to the ground. Apart from the ones on the Isle of Skye who sit on the telegraph wires and save their strength for other things.
Why Gaelic / Scots well I think it would be different to sing the odd lowland scots song like Coulters Candy, and perhaps the odd Burns Song like Ye Banks and Braes or Some of the other ones
ad I have, of course , a family story connected to the recitation of tae a moose.
AS FROM 7TH JUNE 2012 FRLLY will be PRESENTING A GAELIC /SCOTS MAGAZINE RADIO PROGRAMME which will contain interesting items of Story, Song and Poetry in Gaelic and Scots and with English translations
Run in the form of a paper magazine on the Radio SIMPLE Quizzes; and using the Sound Wild Card FRLLY’s team of Presenters and Co-presenters will be producing some interesting activities for our younger listeners
(DEAR EDITOR for your eyes only AGENDA Style
If you approve of the above I will produce typical programme content for the next 4 weeks and supply VICTOR with the AGENDAS
in order he may implement them in my absence if necessary.
I have taken the step to inform co-presenters ahead of time cuideachd (also) and asked Patrick to handle the translating of the poems. I also take on board the request for cds not playlists!! PS READ AND DESTROY
May 31st 2012
ALL MATTERS MOD 2012
This weeks programme closed the chapter on the Dunoon Community Radio’s endeavours through this programme, which had been focussed on encouraging as many local people as possible to enter, even just one, competition in the Royal National Mod being held here in Dunoon in October this year.
The format will change to a Magazine Style in which FRLLY and MARY and RHONA and NUALA
Hope to bring to their listeners enjoyment, stories, poems and song in Gaelic with English translations
On air quizzes with a wild card sound event thrown in.
Well this was what Frlly told her Studio audience of co-presenters and the Listener over the microphone on Thursday evening and to close the Chapter at last The Gruffalo would be read in Gaelic by Rhona who took the Mouse role, Mary became the Story Teller and Nuala read the Snake, The Fox and The Owl. Frlly took on the role of the Gruffalo . The English Translation was read by Victor..
Readers and Listener what a closing to a chapter!! It was after we had read the story and everyone was grinning from ear to ear that we found out that Frlly had never read the book before, Mary had never seen the story book before. Rhona and Nuala had fortunately enjoyed An Gruffalo when they were younger.. And Victor only scanned the book pages for the first time that night in between feeding CD.s into the machine;
Frlly had asked for the English translation after the Mouse met each animal not realising that the Gruffalo became more terrifying with each added description and having paused the whole reading just as the gaelic was read in the middle page (which Mary did with great description), we could almost here our little ones of the Pre-five group drawing in a breath and waiting for the next bit.
We played a CD and Victor advised travellers of the state of the roads and then another Cd giving our Sound Engineer to grab a Jaffa cake before his important role to occur after the end of the story.
Victor took up the tale of The Gruffalo in English describing from the middle page pausing to let Rhona and Nuala take the listener through the Gruffalo following the mouse and meeting up with the Fox the Snake and the Owl It was the moment when Victor took over with the translation, he got really involved with what he was reading and shot past the owl meeting and it was with great difficulty that Frlly stopped him, she even had to speak across the radio mike..The Gaelic readers were also transfixed with what might be the awful outcome which could be, especially as Victor said clearly “This is very Scary” and it was only when Frlly flapped the script at Nuala that we manage the last wee Gaelic bit… and of course Victor was able to end the story for the English listeners as well..
Scottish music filled the void and then the first quiz item was put into operation by Rhona and Patrick
A sound was played across Victors mike some music was played and then Rhona gave the answer.
We, the Presenters, all managed to wish our listeners farewell in Gaelic and English with a reminder of the new Gaelic Magazine Programme, still to be christened, to start next week.
FRLLY
MAY 24th 2012
VICTOR’s Thursday LATE LATE LATE VERY LATE BREAKFAST SHOW
Where he allows ALL MATTERS MOD2012 presented by FRLLY to fill up the whole two and half hour listening experience. MARY arrived, donned the head phones and started the whole evening off by telling Victor and the Listening Audience of the Cruise from which she had just returned which left us all wanting to sign up for a holiday Cruise of course after the Mod is well and truly over.
Soon RHONA NEARY and her Sister NUALA were in the Studio. This week in the Gaelic Story Corner RHONA had chosen a story which reminded FRLLY of a school book she had read “the Water Babies” as the wee girl in the story fell out of a boat and sank to the bottom of the loch to be rescued by mermaids who asked her to tell all the “land above the waves folk” to stop throwing rubbish into the sea because it was poisoning the ocean and the sea animals, a good story with a environmental message. PATRICK managed to give the listener a very good translation into English and just like the wee boy in the Water Babies, the wee girl was rescued back into the Land Above the Waves at the end of the story.
NUALA brought her accordion into the studio and explained that she was learning a new song and was able to demonstrate how she goes about learning her tunes, first she learns the piano keyboard side of the instrument which she demonstrated next week she will demonstrate the button side and hopefully be able to play the whole tune to us up.
FRLLY noticed that as NUALA was moving across the studio she limped badly and on inquiring NUALA replied that she had received two hits by a caman during a shinty match, but that it was okay she was used to it! NUALA is “hoping” to be joined by some of her Shinty team mates on a future programme .
The CD.s included a Highland Voyage Track by Duncan Macrae and John Grieve.. The Crinan Canal for me which was greatly enjoyed by FRLLY and hopefully the listener as was the Gaelic Waulking Song tracks who also gave the translation of the most current one that she is learning to sing with the SGIOBA LUAIDH INBHIRCLUAIDH.
RHONA and NUALA promised to return next week
Signed FRLLY
MUSIC and Translations for my entries for the Royal National Mod will have to be posted so I intend to do that in the second week in June.
The FOLK GROUP attempt
I am looking for at least two or maybe three instrumentalists who would be willing to back me in this venture. The Music I expect to be well known waltz type tunes.. say Glen Ballachullish,
I would have used Mo Run Geal Dileas but unfortunately its in the prescribed list SO VOLUNTEERS please contact me on lynfrl6@gmail.com
OKAY! That is my SENIOR ENTRY FORM for the Royal National Mod completed and sent by email to An Comunn Gaidhealach. I have entered for
A270 Solo Singing Singing a song from Mrs Kennedy Fraser’s Songs of the Hebrides competitors choice
A271 Solo Singing Singing a Prescribed Song relating to Mull or Iona, Sarah Weir Trophy
A274 Solo Singing Singing of a Skye and Sutherland Song Competitor’s choice
A279 Solo Instrumental Solo self accompanyment of two Gaelic Songs own choice with any instrument except Clarsach and Piano
AND
I am looking for a Folk GROUP to accompany me in my last entry A277 Folk Groups Two songs with instrumental accompanyment Own Choice
REMINDER
And could You announce or remind folk that the Mod entry forms should be posted at least by WEDNESDAY 23 MAY to allow for delivery time arrival.
ADDENDUM
The Choirs were Glasgow Gaelic Music Association
Stirling Gaelic Choir, Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir
Report
DUNOON COMMUNITY RADIO AT MOD SHRUIGHLEA HELD ON 18TH AND 19TH MAY
FRLLY attended the 50th anniversary year special venue, the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling on the Saturday to listen to the Junior and Senior Competitors and Choirs. The morning competitions were very well attended by parents and friends of the junior competitors. Frlly sat in the age 7 to 8 solo competition, listened to the spoken adjudication at the end of the competition at which the adjudicators pronounced the gaelic language almost faultless and the music standard high.
Moving across the hotel to the Ballroom in time to hear the Junior Choir Peurt competition at which Falkirk, Cumbernauld and Stirling Junior Choirs and Doune Primary School Choir sang.
The Adjudicators spoke highly of the Primary Schools production of Brochan Lom and Ha mi Sgith, especially the young soloist who sang the verse and the two soloists who held the drone throughout.
A civilized break for lunch and then we were back in the Adam Room awaiting Solo Competitors with Adjudicators Ian MacAulay and Isobel Rutter who noted the total change of the chaos and noise of the morning to the peace and quietness of the afternoon and the time they awaited the arrival of the soloisats.
It was only later as I looked at all the photographs on that popular social network site under Mod Shruighlea that I realised that I had missed a massed choir event in the square under the leadership of Conductor Kenneth Thomson.
However soon Sandy D Jones, Rena Gertz, Frank McCamley, Donald MacLeod and Ian Innes sang their choice of song and left to join their choirs for their competitions leaving an intrigued Frlly to hear the spoken adjudication. Donald received First and Frank came second.
Following the soloists across to the ballroom we sat down in time to hear the quartet of Rachel and Emma Deans, Rhona Morrison and Karen Fernie and then the Choir Peurt Competition.
Those readers and listeners who have attended Mods in the past you can imagine the volume and quality of sound produced by these Choirs. The challenge of the day for the Choirs was getting all the people onto a stage designed to hold a dance band and not 26 people Choir and Conductor.
As I drove out of Stirling towards home my heart sang with the sounds that I had heard all day.
THANK YOU Dunoon Community Radio for the opportunity to REPORT… FRLLY
Report
SGIOBA LUAIDH INBHIRCHLUAIDH at AUCHINDRAIN MUSEUM 19th MAY
FRLLY went to Monday Night Practice in Greenock and heard from Frances, Myra, Rhona and Margaret all about the successful weekend at the Museum. Waulking Songs were heard throughout the day and Readers can access all the photographs on http://www.waulk.org however FRLLY heard firsthand of the Story teller, a real Seannachie, full of Argyll Stories. The Baking over the peat fire girdle, soda scones, drop pancakes and more; the butter maker who used a unique recipe, which Myra said was delicious. A whole Lamb was roasted over a spit in an oil drum with many other intriguing eats available to go with the meat. Local craftsmen showed their wares and Hamish and friend the Highland Cows posed picturesquely.
Frances Dunlop, Leader of the Sgioba Luaidh advised Frlly on the new songs which she has to add to her repertoire in expectation of the Groups appearance at Benderloch in July at which Eleanor’s Clarsach will enhance the new Programme.
MAY 17th ALL MATTERS MOD2012 on VICTORS LLLvery LATE Breakfast Show
VICTOR calmly took control of the proceedings as Frlly collated the Mod Information papers onto the desk. The whole programme was to be geared around the Junior Entry Form for the Royal National Mod. The music chosen mostly by FRLLY but augmented by some CD.s chosen by Victor, included Duncan Macrae singing of the journey down the River Clyde from the Broomielaw in a Puffer. The following items being a description of Tarbert Harbour by the Piermaster and then Tarbert Gaelic Choir singing Tean an Nall. It took fully 15 minutes to read out the two pages of the Entry Form with the advice collated by FRLLY.
VICTOR then made sure that the listener was entertained by the following CD.s and asking Frlly about the Provincial Mod which she would be attending at the weekend.
And then asking about Auchindrain Museum and Frlly gave the listener a clear visual description of the Museum, its houses and a little of its history, in the form of the Guiding for the Visually Impaired which Frlly does in her spare time .She also told Victor when SGIOBA LUAIDH INBHIRCHLUAIDH would be attending the museum and to look for smoke at their cottage chimney when driving past.
Soon it was time for the last tune Runrigs Live Loch Lomond.
The CEILIDH THEME
was greatly enjoyed by our Listeners last week so we intend to keep the IDEA going interspersing well loved Scottish traditional folk songs with equally loved Gaelic Music entwining Music and Cheerful CHAT to entertain our Listener
ALL MATTERS MOD 2012 NEXT WEEK 17th MAY .. the penultimate week to POSTAL DATE for MOD ENTRIES…
at the set times of 5.25 and 6.25 FRLLY will give all pertinent INFORMATION for MOD ENTRY and MOD COMPETITIONS
Information on PROVISIONAL MODS to visit and watch and take part in will also be supplied
RHONA and LAUREN will be reading the GRUFFALO at about 5.45 and 6.20
We expect to have discussions about the local Gaelic Provision as well
ALL THINGS MOD 97.4fm Don’t forget on a radio near you today 5.00pm-7.30pm Fryll and Victor talk Mod talking application forms, rules and cost, tonight’s theme on All Things Mod is Ceilidh Time and tonight we are joined by Nuala and Rhona and friends to ensure a good Ceilidh is had by all
Folk Session at Whistlefield Inn Loch Eck by Dunoon occurs on the first Friday of every month usually meets in the restaurant room but this friday met in the big lounge instead. The two glazed “Rennie MacKintosh” style windows which are in that room now reminded me of the time they acted as hatch doors at the rear of the original bar when I was a teenager. And so I found myself singing the song I sang then.. The Dark Island.. as well as one of my favourite Skye Songs Nochd Gun Chadal
FOR
NEWS OF NEXT WEEKS GUESTS
OUR MOD SQUAD has expanded to include two junior competitors who have taken part in many a ROYAL NATIONAL MOD so that they can give other folk their age encouragement in their endeavours.
All MATTERS MOD 2012
With DUNOON COMMUNITY RADIO
THURSDAY, 3rd of MAY
The Sun shone high in the sky, lighting up all the dull corners of the Studio, twinkled on the computer screens and Victor reluctantly pulled the shade blind over the open rooflight to shield them from the blaze.
There are now plenty of pictures on the wall of our new studio, some of the bands who have visited, some hand printed ones and now the little oil painting of the Croft House in the Isle of Skye awaits its frame so that it too can hang in the Studio.
The Story Chair picture was in pride of place as we awaited, with great trepidation, the arrival of our Gaelic Storyteller, Rhona Neery to read the First EVER Gaelic STORY from our DCR STUDIO.
FRLLY had asked Rhona, when she accompanied her sister Nuala on the evening Nuala played her accordion, if she would read a story especially for the Pre-five Gaelic Playgroup and also asked her to select one of her own old favourite stories.
Victor chose the microphone arrangement with care as this evening was to be recorded for onward send to the Playgroup. The Studio is in constant use during the day so there is no opportunity to have any pre-rehearsals for each Thursday event.
So once MARY was seated in the Presenters chair and Rhona positioned in front of the main mike ( Victors) FRLLY and Nuala in front of individual mic.s. The Story STAMH ( sounds like STAAV) was started. Rhona read several pages and stopped at an exciting moment and the CD music intervened. ………….VICTOR had chosen CD’s for the evening with emphasis on Fiddle Music because MARY is a Fiddle Player of Traditional Scottish Tunes and Victor is wearing her down gradually by asking her Every Week if she would not bring her fiddle along to give us a tune!! ………………………………………
Juice and biscuits, the Sponsorship advertising and the travel news all filled up the time and one could almost sense the impatience of our listeners as they awaited the end of the FIRST EVER GAELIC STORY….
As Rhona finished the story, Mary exclaimed in Gaelic “That was wonderful, Thank you Rhona “ FRLLY asked Nuala to give a short translation in English of what the story was about for all the Mums and Dads. STAMH was all about a sea creature and friends escaping from a Whale
Storytelling was then discussed by everyone including Nuala and Rhona’s Mum and we all chatted about how the old traditional stories were really to make sure that children would not be tempted to play close to dangerous cliffs by the sea. The tune played by Eleanor Holley (last week’s Guest) from the CD Celtic Magic the Song of the Water Kelpie floated out from the speakers and reminded FRLLY of one or two stories of the mythical creature.
Nuala and Rhona and Mum have offered to return next week to help answer any queries on entering for MOD Competitions since they have taken part in the Royal National Mod for just as long as FRLLY!.
April 26th 2012 All Matters Mod 2012
(or as Davy the DJ calls us “The Mod Squad”)
Victors Late Late Late Very Late Breakfast Show on a Thursday
- a different time and space as FRLLy and Mary bring guests in to the studio
Thursday night’s Guests were to be Eleanor Holley, professional musician specialising in the Scottish Harp and Miss Rhona Neery who was to read some chapters of a story in Gaelic, an innovation to the programme and targeting a younger age audience, the Pre-five Gaelic Playgroup.
FRLly and Tara arrived earlier than usual into the Studio with rather a lot of Studio props for a Radio Show. While Victor bade farewell to his guests from his 2 to 3 show Frlly swiftly moved the comfortable Guest Chair away from its usual place behind the microphone and across the studio to the cd shelved corner by Victor’s desk and, as Victor mentioned across his microphone to the listener, Frlly transformed the corner into an area that would remind many children of a seat in their bedroom. The chair was draped in The Isle of Skye tartan with contrasting orange and brown squashed cushions and various sizes of crocheted blankets draped over the seat. Cuddly toys : A cross eyed Blue footed Yellow fluffed Goosey and a black and white fluffy puppy sat in front of the CD shelves and, as Frlly sellotaped the Pink Parrot into position, she did say to Victor “You’ll not need to get to these CD’s will you” ( like don’t dare try to move any of this!!) The last item was a painting of an old Croft Cottage on the shores of Loch Dunvegan, with chickens pecking around the door and a Skye Collie in the foreground.
And so the Story Corner waited for the First Ever Gaelic Story for Pre-5’s on DCR97.4. which was to be read sometime during the half hour after 6pm.
Victor was able to inform his audience of the next events unfolding in the outer rooms since Eleanor and her Harp had arrived and she was tuning the instrument, the strong string sounds permeating along the corridor and wafting through the warm air. I hope my reader can let the imagination flow here, just imagine the most beautiful golden and silver sounds flowing across Victors shoulders to his microphone and curling through to the listeners ears.
The coffee pots filled, Mod Mugs and plate of cakes and biscuits into place on the table, microphones positioned. Mary, Eleanor and Frlly seated comfortably.
Over the next hour Eleanor introduced us to the Clarsach, and its music. She also told us of the moment, aged seven, when she heard the music of the harp for the first time with the realisation that she wanted to learn to play it. Her career as a professional musician, specialising in the Scottish Harp managing to juggle the requirements of family life with her professional career.
The Harp was brought into the Studio and Eleanor settled to play one beautiful moving piece after another. Time slipped past and Frlly stepped out to check for the Story teller’s arrival.
Unfortunately, due to a technical hitch, our story teller never stepped into the studio that evening. The empty Story corner still awaits the First Ever Story…..watch this space… FRLLY will let you, the reader, know immediately the time and the place of the First Ever Story from the All Matters Mod2012 Studio.
Returning to the Studio Frlly found Mary and Eleanor deep in conversation first about a mutually remembered place where they had both lived and remembered with fondness, Hereford. Then a deep discussion ensued, close to all our hearts, the availability of learning the Gaelic Language. The types of learning from Conversational Gaelic in the Home, Gaelic by Correspondence Course, Gaelic Immersion Courses, Speaking Our Language and the latest Ulpan.
Frlly then asked Eleanor if she would agree to accompany Frlly in the Marjory Kennedy Fraser arrangement of An Island Sheiling Song which they had both been working on for a new Sgioba Luaidh Ibhirchluaidh Programme.
Sean, our Tech Expert, was in the Studio with us, moving microphones and taking over the sound desk as Victor left to listen to the output speakers to check the production level of sound. This being Sean’s last night Frlly and Tara had arranged a big embarrassing Thankyou balloon and a couple of useful items for a sound production expert a pen and a pair of pliers!!
Victor closed the show with an unusual request received from Frlly during the week with reference to the Guitarist Bert Weedon and the Guitar Solo “Apache” made famous by Cliff Richard and The Shadows in the 1960s.
FRLly
April 19th ALL MATTERS MOD2012 on VICTORS LLLvery LATE Breakfast Show
An Giblean 19 MOD2012 Am Ceilidh Bracaist gle anmoch cethir cum tim
( a better trans. The Breakfast Visit very late four times)
Or Am Ceilidh Bracaist cum tim ceithir gle anmoch!
VICTOR , FRLLy, DAVID De KORT agus SEAN, discussed the weeks events as noted in the Local Paper and the Oban Times. All the while playing music to suit the Pan Celtic Festival recently held in Carlow Ireland.
Rona Lightfoots’ Pipe Marches and Jigs, greatly appreciated by our Piper SEAN.
The Song of the Water Kelpie played on the Scottish Clarsach from the CD Celtic Magic featuring Alison MacNeill and Eleanor Holley.
Encouraged Victor and Frlly to relate stories connected with the islands of Water Kelpies, Uisge and Roll on roll off Ferries!!
The Outer Hebrides, The Isle of Man, Ireland, and Wales were all musically mentioned culminating in FRLLy singing the Cowal Choir’s favourite Cearcal A’ Chuin ( Circle of the Ocean) although originally composed by C MacDonald and D MacDonald of Runrig.. the song was from a choir arrangement
ALL MATTERS MOD2012 NEXT WEEK April 26th, OUR GUESTS WILL BE
ELEANOR HOLLEY who specialises in the Scottish Harp, the Clarsach, and has performed in many parts of Britain and Germany. WILL BE WITH US from 5pm and will be playing GAELIC AIRS amongst other well known tunes.
AND After 6pm RHONA will start a SHORT STORY in GAELIC ESPECIALLY for the PRE-FIVES PLAYGROUP
VICTOR and FRLLY, MARY and SEAN look forward to sharing information from the Local Paper and the Oban Times and other Airts with their Listener.
EAST KILBRIDE MOD DATES CHANGE TO 25th and 26th MAY
OBAN MOD DATES FRIDAY 22ND JUNE FOR JUNIORS AND SATURDAY 23RD JUNE SENIORS–ENTRIES TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY BY 30TH APRIL EMAILED ENTRIES CAN BE SENT TO seccganobain@aol.com THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE POSTAL ENTRIES TO THE SECRETARY, COMUNN GAIDHEALACH AN OBAIN, DEHMEL,NORTH CONNEL, ARGYLL PA37 1RA
ALL THINGS MOD 2012 FOR THURSDAY 19TH APRIL
MARY POLLOCK RETURNS WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION FROM THE PAN CELTIC FESTIVAL. FRLLY HOPES TO BE PLAYING MUSIC FROM THOSE OTHER CELTIC NATIONS, WALES, IRELAND, ISLE OF MAN, CORNWALL AND BRITTANY AND POSSIBLY CAPE BRETON AND NOVA SCOTIA. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Thursday evenings late late late very late breakfast show with Victor was not taken over by FRLLY and Mary this week not really, Victor got his chair back and was officially asking the questions and directing operations but FRLLY threw in the wild card by arriving in 18th century scottish womens costume dressed with a black and white ticking full length skirt, white round necked blouse with lace frilled long sleeves and a similarly lace edged mutch headgear, sacking apron and at one point, before the heat in the studio hit her, a crochetted shawl and looked just like somebody’s Great Great Granny. You should have seen Sean’s reaction!! Gaelic Waulking Songs was the THEME . VICTOR used music An Toll Dubh from the Runrig CD “Recovery” and compared it to the Waulking songs from Barra
DIARY SUPPLEMENT and REMINDING READERS OF PROVONCIAL MODS OCCURING SOON
THE STIRLING MOD MOD SHRIGHLEA DATES ARE MAY 18TH AND 19TH FRIDAY THE 18TH 7PM FOR THE INSTRUMENTALISTS AND SATURDAY 19TH MAY FOR THE SOLOISTS AND CHOIRS. THIS YEAR THERE IS A CHANGE IN VENUES SO IF YOU ARE THINKING OF VISITING THE EVENT
PLEASE CHECK WITH ME HERE BEFOREHAND.
PERTH AND ANGUS MOD USUALLY HELD IN ABERFELDY AND EAST KILBRIDE MOD, WHICH HAS NO INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITIONS ARE BOTH IN JUNE AND DUE TO THE QUEENS JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS ARE A WEEK FORWARD. PERTH IS ON THE 8TH/9TH AND EAST KILBRIDE ON 15/16TH
April 5th Report on FRLLY and Mary’s Shanghai of the LLLLVLBreakfast Show again
Am Breakfast Show fadalach tri uairean (Direct trans: The thrice late Breakfast Show)
Victor,Sean , Frlly and Mary Pollock discussed all things Mod as well as items of interest musically from the Local Paper and the Oban Times. Spinning Cd’s of Gaelic Choirs Atomic Piseag, Taynuilt and Dingwall as well some of our favourite soloists.
Ann Lorne Gillies book Songs of Gaelic Scotland
I had brought along Ann Lorne Gillies book Songs of Gaelic Scotland in order to discuss the poetic nuances and meaning of gaelic song.
Victor asked about the origins of the lyrics unexpectedly voicing the thought that most of these songs had been written by men and not women. I have to admit to not being prepared for this question. Apologies, Victor.
To explain to my reader, as Ann Lorne Gillies informs us in her book, the fund of Gaelic Song now available to sing, listen to and read about, is only available to us because the Irish Folklore Commission sent a dedicated collector to the Hebrides with an Ediphone in 1946 to collect the oral traditional folksongs and literature of the islands.
Many of the songs may well have been composed and retained in the memories of the women as well as the men of the islands.
From my own knowledge of the Gaelic Waulking Song Collections I know that they were retained through repeated singing by the women down through the centuries because Waulking was an occupation for the women of the village.
Atomic Piseag had captivated their audience with their production of the choral piece “ Iain Ghlinn Cuaich “ at the Strachur Ceilidh so I turned opened the Book at Page 358 and realised that we would not have the time on the programme to read through the 6 verses and translations so read the first verse and moved onto the paragraph at the base of the page. The Choral piece would only have the regulation amount of lines allowed in a National Mod competition.
On this page I will type down the translation of what I read “on air” and advise those interested in looking at the whole song to access Ann Lorne Gillies Book Songs of Gaelic Scotland .{SGS}
Oh John of Glen Cuach a man of your like is rare; wavy hair in ringlets, curling right up to the roots;
It was your handsome comely form that left me so sick with love,
And that you have no fault to tell of from the top of your head to the heel
Next verse
John, John, my darling why did you cast me aside so lightly
With never a word to acknowledge the love that we shared from the very start
I never gave my heart to another man under the sun but you
Nor after you will I ever give it until my body is buried in the ground
I offered to make things a bit easier by singing one complete song, An T’ Oir Oig giving the spoken English translation prior to singing, and then chose to sing one chorus and 2 verses from an especially poignant song. O ‘s tu ‘s gura tu th’ air m’aire (a full translation can be found on page 345 of SGS)
Translation out of the Gaelic
An t-oighr’ og.
Oh hi ‘s na hi iu o
Hi ri ri ‘s na hi iu o
O hi ri ‘s na hi iu o
Young Heir of Dunvegan Of the pipes and chanters
I would answer you, whistling on my fingers
There are apples in your garden, and pears growing there
Your cattle are on the high pasture and your boat is under sail
It was at cock crow, I heard the tale of your of your deceit
You went across the ford and didn’t come to visit us
I will stop longing for you, since I won’t get you this year
But here’s my hand on it – I am not the first girl to be beguiled by your speech!
And
O ‘s tu ‘s gra tu th’ air m’aire
Oh its you, its you who are on my mind, Oh its you, its you who are on my mind
Its you, my love, who disturbs my secret thoughts
And all my delight has gone since you left the township
Verse One
The night we were on the hilltop heights, your kisses were all mine
And your willing love-making
I sat there in the shelter of your plaid and your talk was more precious
To me than all the gold in the world
Verse Four
You stole the east from me, you stole the west from me
You stole the moon and you stole sun from me
And you stole the very heart that was in my breast-
Oh, my love, you almost stole my God from me
On Air Victor and Sean, Mary and Frlly agreed that girls seemed to fall “in love” rather too readily with men that were not “stayers” However perhaps the men had the other excuse of having to leave the island to fight in battle for their Clan.
Signed by Frances-Rosemary Lynn ( FRLLY)
Looking forward to the all Matters Mod 2012 on Victors LLLLLBreakfast show Thursday.. At Last Victor will find out the translation to Oran Chalum Sgaire and Iain Ghlinn Cuaich ( he’s been asking for them from Kathie last week and Frlly sometime previously) Mary will give us news from the Oban Times Gaelic Event column and Frlly will give news of the Provincial Mods and CDs will be played hopefully spinning some greatly loved music
FRLLY DIARY SUPPLEMENT
1st April ( an Giblean) 2012
The Strachur and District Piping Association hosted a Pre- Mod Ceilidh at the Creggans Inn, Strachur last night. Tickets for the event sold out by 12 noon on Saturday. The large restaurant room and adjoining lounge proved an ideal venue giving space to all the diverse evenings activities.
The evening contained the young Pipers from the Association, the local highland dancers and a particularly versatile band whose accordionist took over the keyboard at one stage to accompany Raymond Bremner, conductor of Atomic Piseag, when he sang Eilean Scalpay Na Heraidh.
As usual Raymond introduced his song in both Gaelic and English to suit all the audience thus entertaining us with his reaction to actually visiting Scalpay expecting an island similar to the beautiful Isle of Skye considering the descriptive lyrics of the piece.
Atomic Piseag, The Argyll Ladies Centennial Gaelic Choir was the highlight of the evening mesmerising the audience with traditional well known and fondly remembered airs as well as the specially arranged and extremely challenging choral pieces..
This evening was enjoyed by young and old, the ceilidh dancing attracting all age ranges especially the, new to most ,Virginia Reel introduced and called by the band .
This night was a chance for me to meet up with old friends and enjoy a good chat with new contacts.
Morang Taing, Strachur
March 29th 2012
Every Thursday evening is turning out much different to the well planned well structured script I spend all week preparing. Victor who’s Thursday evening LLLVLBreakfast show I seem to have hijacked for the “ALL MATTERS MOD 2012” SLOT say’s “Live radio, that’s what makes it so exciting, you never know what is coming next and can only happen on Community Radio”.
At least he seems happy with the way things are progressing even if at the end of the programme I look at my unread script and wonder where the time disappeared to so quickly
This week I had invited two guests to join me, my future sometimes co/host Mary Pollock and Kathie Ferri.
This week I was determined to persuade Mary to give our listener some background of her life and her connection to All Things Mod which she did and very interesting it was to.
Kathie, who lives locally and sings Alto with Largs Gaelic Choir as well as the Piseagan, had come along as representative of the Argyll Ladies Centennial Gaelic Choir or Atomaig Piseag who are taking part in the Pre-Mod Ceilidh at The Creggans Strachur this coming Saturday.
The evening went very well, Kathie had brought along all the up to date information on Atomaig Piseag, information on how the choir was created: news of their successes at Mod Competitions: of how far the members travel to take part in the choir practices in Oban once a month.
I played tracks from the Choir’s CD “Piseag Gu Leor” highlighting the sound the choir produce, also a couple of tracks with solo singers Audrey M Paterson and the Conductor Raymond Bremner. Other tracks from other CDs played included Joy Dunlop, who not only sings with Atomaig Piseag but is their Gaelic Advisor, and Jane Basford who has sung for the Silver Pendant Competition and has a lovely clear Soprano voice. Regular listeners of DCR will know JANE as her recordings have featured many times on DCR including the very first broadcast.
The clink of coffee mugs were heard at one stage as the tea tray was raided for refreshments during the two hour programme.
I asked Kathie to describe her home island of Barra to the listener with directions on the best way to get onto the island and then spun the CD of the Vatersay Boys playing Kishmul’s Galley in their own inimitable style.
The conversation was lively on and off the air, diverse subjects were covered including the commitment required from an individual choir member to attend practices, learn their words off by heart and be available to attend events or concerts throughout the year.
Mary brought to our attention the fact that not all our listeners have computers and therefore cannot read websites or download information from the An Comunn Website. I said at this stage I should think about writing to An Comunn at Church Street Inverness and ask for an entry form by post. Victor said he would check with the An Comunn Committee on the rules on supplying copies of entry forms to others. If this met with their approval we could place copies in the Dunoon Mod Shop and The DCR studio and even at premises across the Clyde.
Sean ( our Right Hand Helper in the studio, who fixes stuck computers and moves mic’s and seats and makes tea) did suggest that there where computers available in the local library for folk to use. I reminded him 14going on43 that there were still a lot of people depending on the old style information request/supply system of pen and paper.
With that DJ Davy arrived in the studio and waited patiently for us to say our goodbyes to the listener in Gaelic and English and we were played out of the studio by Dingwall Gaelic Choir.
The Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh visited
East Kilbride on Monday 26th March to entertain the
Duncansrigg Rambling Club our Introduction to the Tweed programme
was greatly enjoyed by the large audience
Eleanor,Rhona, Christine and Frlly sang Innes did her spiel on Spinning while Frances kept us and the proceedings under her direction as well as singing her favourite song of the sheep.
FRLLY’s GUESTS AT Victors LLLVL B SHOW on MARCH 29th will be Kathie Ferri, a member of the Atomaig Piseag – Argyll Ladies Centennial Gaelic Choir – and Mary Pollock a member of the Local Committee for the The Royal National Mod 2012, Musician and Gaelic Speaker. The chat will be all about the Choirs ..the competitions, taking part as an individual, and the enjoyment of the songs. The Cd collection for the evening will feature Atomaig Piseag, Capercaille, Kenna Campbell and with Kathie’s Home island of Barra in thought Kishmul’s Galley by the Vatersay Boys
March 22nd in Victor’s Late Late Late Breakfast Show and All Matters Mod with Frlly
We were very fortunate to have the Cowal Fiddle Workshop with us in the Show tonight
For the first hour
Joe Rhodes told us of his lifelong intention to learn the fiddle for Scottish and Irish Music and on his retiral he was presented with the instrument and was really enjoying learning within the Cowal Fiddle Workshops held on Saturdays at Edward Street Community Centre Edward Street Dunoon where all levels of Fiddle playing were taught . He agreed that his ability in producing music improves yearly and the fact that Fiddle music is arranged with !st and 2nd Fiddle parts so that he can follow the easy play level and looks forward to the time he will be a First Fiddle player.
Gordon Blair joined us and discussed the possibilities of members of the 80 strong workshop entering the Junior and Senior Competitions in this years Royal National Mod finding the Group Competition attractive in that all levels of Fiddle Player could take part.
Frlly also mentioned that from her experience as a Solo Competitor the Adjudicators written advice on the music production of her song was very much appreciated and proved useful.
Just after 6pm the four girls Chloe, Iona, Holly and Amelia (Amy) walked into the Studio with their Fiddles and Music, and while they were tuning up with Gordon , Holly’s Dad described rescuing the wooden flute he had brought along saying that sometimes when he is playing it he gets the taste of the “real” wood and he wonders which part of the world it had originated.
THEN The Girls led by Gordon played a Strathspey and Reel and Jig which had the seat bound presenters bouncing in their seats and we hoped that the Listener was equally enjoying the live music. The Fiddlers offered to play again and Victor and Frlly happily shelved the CD,s for a chance to enjoy the real thing!.
In conversation the girls told Victor that less traditional music was in their repertoire ranging from Bob Dillon to Adele, we told them of the Dunoon Community Radio’s intention of having a Shop Window studio during The Royal National Mod Week in October and they would be welcome participants.
Sean was on hand to move Microphones, solve seating problems and take photos with his Ipad which we expect to see on the DCR Facebook Page next week sometime.
A very enjoyable Mod Matters Moment.
FRLLY
Sgioba Luaidh gig at Ayr last night it was Feuds Fights and Fairies programme and we enjoyed a very appreciative audience and a really lovely cuppa tea afterwards. Tara stayed at home with her friend Joan while Frances drove across the ferry and took half the team down the shore road to Ayr. Was looked after Royally by Innes and Archy overnight, Thankyou thank you, and was back to pick Tara up before 9am this morning.
Preparing now for the Radio Show tonight on Dunoon Community Radio 5pm till 7 30pm All That’s Mod 2012
Thank you to Lorraine Whitton and all the others who enjoyed the Cowal Fiddle workshop juniors last night. We certainly enjoyed them joining us and hope it will not be to long before they are back again.
Thanks so much for having the young (and not so young) fiddlers on last night – great plug for them and also a confidence booster
Frlly Diary
March 8th in Victor’s Late Late Late Breakfast Show and All Matters Mod with Frlly
Mary Pollock visited the studio and discussed with Frlly and Victor the syllabus’s of the Provincial Mods and the Royal National Mod with emphasis on the instrumental competitions.
It was noted that some Provincial Mods did not have instrumental competitions while others , like Ardnamurchan and Oban even had categories for Drumming and Tin Whistle.
Mary confirmed that the competitors did not have to speak Gaelic to take part in the instrumental competitions but that the music they played would have to be Gaelic Music. For instance Fiddlers would play Strathspey, Reel and Jig. The Learner category is for those with no more than 2 years training. And the competitions are geared to age ranges. There are also Senior competitions.
To obtain information on all the Provincial Mods go to http://www.acgmod.org.uk
And for the Royal National Mod Entry Form also visit the http://www.acgmod.org.uk and open the sub menus in the left hand column
Entry Forms for Provincial Mods should be completed and sent approximately 6 weeks before the Provincial Mod Dates so contact should be made soon, especial with the Stirling Mod which is in May.
March 15th at Victor’s Late Late Late Breakfast Show with All Matters Mod with Frlly
Frlly had invited along Nuala Neery who is an accomplished accordionist specialising in Scottish and Gaelic Music.
Nuala is still in her teens but has taken part in Provincial and the Royal National Mods for about 8 years, First as a gaelic speaker reciting poetry and engaging in conversational competitions and latterly with her accordion.
In showing us how her accordion worked she agreed that, to start with, when learning to play the instrument it took quite a lot of concentration to get the bellows, the buttons and the keyboard all to work at the same time. Sean commented on that point from a pipers point of view.
Nuala’s Dad was able to tell us about travelling to take part in competitions . Frlly asked about Caithness National Mod 2010 and he replied that was too far away, they did not go that year. 2008 though, that was in Falkirk, they travelled across in one day to take part and agreed that parents should be prepared for the total commitment involved.
Thursday 5.00pm Gaelic Singer Frances R Lynn(Frlly) who shall be presenting her own programme during Mod2012 and shall be co-presenting with Victor tonight will be introducing the listeners to Joe Rhodes who will be talking all things “Fiddle” and then Gordon Blair and junior musicians from the Cowal Fiddle Workshop.
Frlly will have well known Mod people such as Mary Pollock co-presenting and passing on Mod information. We shall also be listening to some artist from around the time of the last Mod in 2006 including the Legendry Greenock Singers and the ever popular Atomic Piseag . Of course the youngest DCR volunteer Sean will be contributing.
Thursday 5.00pm Gaelic Singer Frances R Lynn(Frlly) who shall be presenting her own programme during Mod2012 and shall be co-presenting with Victor keeping us up to date in the run up. Frlly will have well known Mod people such as Mary Pollock guesting and passing on Mod information and listening to some artist from around the time of the last Mod in 2006. including the Legendry Greenock Singers and the ever popular Atomic Piseag . Of course the youngest DCR volunteer Sean will be contributing.
GOOD AFTERNOON ON A THURSDAY -MOTHER DAY SPECIAL
DCR evening presenters will be popping in to say hello as will regular contributors to the Afternoon programme including our very own lady of the “Stars” Carol Stirling and Gaelic Singer Frances R Lynn(Frlly) who shall be presenting her own programme during Mod2012 and shall be co-presenting with Victor keeping us up to date in the run up. Frlly will have well known Mod people such as Mary Pollock guesting and passing on Mod information. Fiona McNeill from the new forthcoming Celtic Fusion & Folk programme will be popping in and youngest DCR volunteer Sean will be contributing.
Of course with it nearing Mothers Day you can expect tunes from the likes of DCR favourites Geraldine Pointing with Interactive, Sara Douglas and Mum Joy, local lassie Clair Tierney, Angela Duncan and Maggie Reilly and last but not……singer/songwriter Gerry Reilly
DCR evening presenters will be popping in to say hello as will regular contributers to the Afternoon programme including our very own lady of the “Stars” Carol Stirling and Gaelic Singer Frances R Lynn(Frlly) who shall be presenting her own programme during Mod2012 and shall be co-presenting with Victor keeping us up to date in the run up. Tonight Frlly has Mary Pollock well known lady of the Mod as a guest. Fiona McNeill from the new forthcoming Celtic Fusion & Folk programme will be popping in and youngest DCR volunteer Sean will be contributing
More MOD2012 MATTERS
More information and informal craic and listeners comments on Mod2012 Matters every Thursday AFTER 5 with Frlly, Victor, Sean, Fiona and guest .
GOOD MUSIC ,GOOD CRAIC, BE PART OF IT -ALL THINGS MOD2012
I never know how the conversation will turn on Thursday evenings at the Late late late late breakfast show and Thursday last was no exception. Perhaps it was my fault for not changing out of my Gig gear since the Sgioba Luaidh had been entertaining at two different venues in the Dunoon area that afternoon. Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh specialise in the production of gaelic waulking songs, we have several different programmes demonstrating song in the working life of the Gael. Our web site is http://www.waulk.org on which you can find all the information as well as lots of photographs from our travels.
So there I was in my flowery print wrap around pinnie ( circa 1950) paisley print headscarf and tackitty boots all ready to surprise Victor when he surprised me by introducing Dave a new volunteer in the sound production department. Dave being English had not known about this heritage of song we have and so I chatted about the history and the activities of the Highland Village wife and family. It was our Duke of Edinburgh volunteer who noticed that I wafted through the centuries talking as if I had been there myself all those centuries ago as I recounted the songs sung by the women as they worked the cloth. La Millegaraidh The Battle of the Dyke fought at Waternish in the 16th century ……. in which the women sang of the amount of men who died so many that they could not bury them only tip the dry stone dyke over them.
“ Do you remember / the day of Aird or that other at Millegaraidh; Men were there in a sad condition/ lying on their backs …/ showing the white soles of their feet; many a woman was sorely grieving; missing a son/ missing a brother; with no husband to show her affection; ..my curse on..
These songs were carried orally by the women and sung at waulkings.In 1893 Donald MacCormick of South Uist started the work of collecting and translating helped by Fr Allan Mcdonald of Eriskay and completed by Dr J L Campbell who recorded airs from traditional singers between 1938 and 1968. Previously in 1932 John Lorne Campbelll visited Cape Breton Island and Antigonish County in Eastern Nova Scotia with a desire to find out how much the descendants of the original emigrants had kept their gaelic traditions To find so much of the heritage of Song lost to the Highlands due to the amount of Scottish people who left their homeland for the New World in previous centuries
Note: Hebridean Folk Songs Oxford University Press and Songs Remembered in Exile Birlinn Books
Taking a quote from the Songs Remembered in Exile introduction page
Emigration of Scottish Highlanders had begun in the 1770 originally to the Cape Fear district of North Carolina associated with the name of Flora Macdonald after 1745. Here a Gaelic community put down its roots which lasted until the Civil War (1861-65). Fayetteville at the centre of 5 counties.
And from over the page.. The collection we made in 1937 amounted to 43 ediphone wax cylinders on which were recorded 90 traditional songs.
Victor asked me to sing a Waulking Song and I chose An Cul Bachalach ( ann cool bach ah lach)
The chorus is Be suid an cul seo an cul bachalach “There’s the head the curly head” opinions of the meaning are controversial I think it means the Dairymaid who had had a baby by a noblemans’ son but due to the class difference would never be allowed to marry him could see her child being carried through the village by another because the child was being brought up by the noblemans family. But the more romantic amongst us think that it’s the Dairymaid seeing the head of her lost love in the distance
And, as I explained to Dave this was a true story in the tradition of a family in the Isle of Skye but not of this century or the last or even the previous.
Francesr Lynn
Childrens Ceilidh organised by An Comunn Gaidhealach: Meur Dhunomhainn was held tonight ( Friday 16th February) in Dunoon Grammar School featured Dunoon Grammar School Pipe Band; The Christina Cairns School of Highland Dancing:Sandbank School Gaelic Choir; Cowal Fiddle Workshop Juniors: Cowal Accordion and Keyboard Workshop and the Janette Ross Speech and Drama Group.
A very enjoyable evening demonstrating the wealth of local talent in this area
http://www.dunooncommunityradio.org/programme-info/presenters/frances-r-lynn/