1 post tagged “amy duncan”

Every day the songwriters played back new material to the group for discussion, and whenever time allowed we developed these basic first performances by getting our in-house producer Chris to work with the artist on some arrangements. So we thought it would be interesting to blog a 'before and after' from the Gathering week. Here's Amy Duncan's original performance and studio recording of Rodger Lyall's lyric, which tells the story of the fishermen of Inverbervie and their struggle to protect the ancient salmon fishing rights granted to them by King David II. This was the first day's task - to write lyrics separately and hand them to another Burnsong writer to add the music. It's not the most common form of collaboration, but an interesting exercise for songwriters; lyric-setting in this way is the preferred method of Elton John & Bernie Taupin and Chris Difford & Glenn Tillbrook (Squeeze).
The song's unusual 6/4 groove, Scots dialect and two-chord 12-string picking pattern seems, for me, to fit perfectly with the poignant and wistful power of this true story.

1.
Oor Rab, the Bruce faced Lanky Shank
Tae`mak us independent
Then sired a son, Aye Dave the same
Tae tak aheed the royal name

2.
Noo Davy wis a cannier chiel
Wha likit Royal Toons
And grantin’ toon folk fishin rights
Tae sport in ony wie they liked

Chorus
Gied fisher rights tae snigger troot
Stopped ithers comin in aboot
Gied burgh rights tae local folk
The Common Good noo just a joke

3.
And now an act of treachery
By Deeside Salmon Fishery
Brings plans tae bring the Stoney whip
Tae stop the Bervie fishin rip 

4.
But they didna’ reckon Ashie Reid
Like Brucie, independent
Sayin’ local folk will manage fine 
Oor Charter’s no rescinded

Chorus
Gied fisher rights tae snigger troot
Stopped ithers comin in aboot
Gied burgh rights tae local folk
The Common Good noo just a joke