We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Buchan Bluegrass

by Tiller's Folly

/
1.
A Man You Won't Meet Every Day 02:26
lyrics
buy track
A MAN YOU WON'T MEET EVERYDAY Oh my name is Jock Stewart I'm a canny gun man And a roving young fellow I've been So be easy and free when you're drinking with me I'm a man you won't meet every day I'm piper by trade, I'm a fine, roving blade And it's many a tune I can play So be easy and free when you're drinking with me I'm a man you won't meet every day I have acres of land and men at command I have always a shilling to spare So be easy and free when you're drinking with me I'm a man you don't meet every day So let's catch well the hours and the minutes that fly And we'll share them together this day So be easy and free when you're drinking with me I'm a man you don't meet every day
2.
Barnyards O' Delgaty 04:09
lyrics
buy track
BARNYARDS O’ DELGATY As I cam in by Turra Market, Turra Market for tae fee I fell in wi' a wealthy farmer, the Barnyards O'Delgaty He promised me the aye best mare, That iver I set my eyes upon But when I gat t'his barnyard, There's naethin' there but skin and bone Luntin addie, turin addie, Luntin addie turin ae Luntin lowrin' lowrin' lowrin', The barnyards o'Delgaty! As I cam doon tae Kirk on Sunday, mony's th' bonny lass I see Sittin' by her mither's side, winkin' o'er th' pews at me! Lang Jean Scott she maks ma bed, you can see the marks upon my shins She's the coorse ill-trickit Jaud who fills my bed wi Prickly whins Luntin addie, turin addie, Luntin addie turin ae Luntin lowrin' lowrin' lowrin', The barnyards o'Delgaty! At Rhynie’s I sheared my first hairst, near tae the foot o' Bennachie; My maister was richt ill to fit, but laith was I to lose my fee Rhynie's work is ill to work, and Rhynie's wages is but sma' Rhynie's laws is double strict, and that does grieve me worst of a' Luntin addie, turin addie, Luntin addie turin ae Luntin lowrin' lowrin' lowrin', The barnyards o'Delgaty! Noo me cannle is brunt oot, me snotter's fairly on the wane, Fare-ye-weel ye Barnyards: ye'll niver see me here again! Luntin addie, turin addie, Luntin addie turin ae Luntin lowrin' lowrin' lowrin', The barnyards o'Delgaty! Luntin addie, turin addie, Luntin addie turin ae Luntin lowrin' lowrin' lowrin', The barnyards o'Delgaty!
3.
There'll Never Be Peace Until Jamie Comes Hame 02:45
lyrics
buy track
THERE'LL NEVER BE PEACE UNTIL JAMIE COMES HAME (1791) By yon Castle wa', at the close of the day, I heard a man sing, tho' his head it was grey: And as he was singing, the tears doon came, - There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. The Church is in ruins, the State is in jars, Delusions, oppressions, and murderous wars, We dare na weel say't, but we ken wha's to blame, - There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. My seven braw sons for Jamie drew sword, But now I greet round their green beds in the yerd; It brak the sweet heart o' my faithful and dame, - There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. Now life is a burden that bows me down, Sin' I tint my bairns, and he tint his crown; But till my last moments my words are the same, - There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame.
4.
Jame's Auld Sharney Beets 03:43
lyrics
buy track
JAMES’ AULD SHARNEY BEETS Born on the ferm, on the heed o’ the hill li’ed a loon we’ a passion, and a dream to fulfill Raised on th’ meal, and th’ tatties and neeps, Our James played the fiddle in auld sharney beets Those buits! ah, those buits! James’ auld sharny buits! Tho’ his love o’ the land, he never could lose Tae ferm or tae fiddle, our James had to choose The fiddle tae play, or the auld kye tae milk? When time came to choose, the auld buits got the jilt Those buits! ah, those buits! James’ auld sharny buits! When James plays the fiddle, there’s nane can compete For he sounds like the angel, sae gentle and sweet But he grins like the de’il, in ‘is auld sharney buits Tho’ his music held charm for the Queen o’ the land Ney bow would he mak’ or n’er shake her hand Now mither wise dancing the height of hersel’ "You little upstart we shall a’ go to hell!" Those buits! ah, those buits! James’ auld sharny buits! When James plays the fiddle, there’s nane can compete For he sounds like the angel, sae gentle and sweet But he grins like the de’il, in ‘is auld sharney buits Ain nicht as James mak’s his way hame from a show A bold apparition appears in a glow! ”It’s auld Willie Marshall, God what ha’e I deen! I hope that I hav’nae played something obscene” Willie, he smiled wi’ a wink o’ is een ”Na fear my good loon, frae what I hae seen The young folk wha’ gather tae learn and tae play How their fiddles ring out from the banks o’ the Spey!” Next time yer tae visit James’ hame by the park Slip into the kitch, and hae a wee lark Pu’ back the door and ye hae a wee peer ‘Jings’ auld sharney buits, richt there on the fleer
5.
Lindsay 02:47
lyrics
buy track
LINDSAY Lindsay, he has taken to the road It's straight to the north he'll steer With a Speyside fiddle in his pack And with little else for his gear He's well met with a peddler drouth And a chance to adjourn to the inn He's called for ale and he's taken up a pipe And carelessly slipped to the tune. And all the night they fiddled and piped For the dancers had taken to the floor They never wanted a pipe nor a glass Nor a lass 'till the music was o'er They played up through markets and fair 'Till at last to the north they've come There they met black Janet the widow Who sang as she rattled her drum Lindsay called black Janet to dance And you ne'er saw so bonny a pair She took him firm by the hand And they tripped to the top of the stair Here, she said, is a fine feather bed Where a man be he weary or drear May step for me a gay strathspey With me lilting a tune in his ear Janet was as good as his word And Lindsay has proven his worth May you all have so merry a dance If ever you come to the north
6.
Auchenhalrig 03:55
info
buy track
7.
Ballad of John Rae 03:18
lyrics
buy track
THE BALLAD OF JOHN RAE You may well have heard of Franklin’s fate, of Parry, Ross and McClure Explorers brave who roamed the North, each gallant men of worth Though, of all the bold adventurers to comb the Arctic range The greatest of all was an Orkneyman from the Hall of Clestrain Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae Shining star of the Hudson’s Bay The whaling men were first to mark these Northwest Passage straights A trade route to the Orient that merchants sought for freight Many’s the banker tried his luck, Many’s the ship would go And many’s the lad was led to die on the blinding ice and snow Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae Shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae He’d scarcely nigh a dozen men, he put them to the test And learning from the Esquimeaux he sought the noble quest 12 thousand miles he roamed the North, by oar and sail and march He made it look a morning stroll from the Ayre to Highland Park Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae Shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae Grave news had reached the Hudson’s Bay that Franklin’s men were lost John Rae was sent to seek them out no matter what the cost In learning from the Inuit, a true and honest source How Franklin’s crew was driven to their desperate last recourse Drawn to the North, was bold John Rae Shining star of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae Seething with ambition strove the ruthless Lady Jane With wickedness & cunning, John Rae she would defame She robbed him of the knighthood, so rightfully his due For he’d found the Northwest Passage and the fate of Franklin’s crew Now at St. Magnus’ holy ground, my thoughts to you do stray The greatest man of all the North, the pride of Hudson’s Bay Who solved the Arctic riddle, Let Scotsmen praise his name! That truth and time cannot deny so great a man of fame Raise your glass to bold John Rae Darling pride of the Hudson’s Bay If was ever a man who could find his way The name of that man is John Rae The name of that man is John Rae
8.
The Hairst O' Rhettie 03:25
lyrics
buy track
THE HAIRST O RETTIE I hiv seen the hairst o Rettie lads An twa three on the throne, [i.e. farms of that ilk I've heard for sax or seiven weeks The hairsters girn an groan; A covie Willie Rae Wi a monthie an a day, Sends aa the jolly hairsters Singin blythly doun the brae. Oh a monthie and a day, ma lads, The like wis niver seen, It's beats for sticks the fastest strips O Vicker's new machine; A Speedwell she brings up the rear, An the Victory clears the way, An twenty acre daily yields Laid doon tae Willie Rae. For he'll drive them [i.e. the horses] roun an roun the parks At such an awful rate, An steer them canny oot an in At monys a kittle gate; He'll wile them saftly ower a stane [i.e. coax An mony's a hidden hole, And he'll come by nae mishanter [i.e. no mishap Gin you leave him wi the pole. [i.e. in charge Oh he'll whittle aff the corners, Maks crookit bitties stracht, And likes tae see that man and beast Are equal in the draucht; An aa the shavies neat and square [i.e. sheaves straight An nae a sheaf agley, [i.e. none out of line He will count wi ony dominie [i.e. any teacher Fae the Deveron tae the Spey. Oh he'll sharp their teeth tae gar them bite, An tap them on the jaws, An when he fins them dowly like, [i.e. blunt He'll brawly ken the cause; A boltie here, a pinnie there, An keep them aye in tune, He will shortly stop their wild career An brings the slackest doon. [i.e. into gear Oh he's nae made up wi mony words Nor kent tae puff an lee, He's just as keen a little chap As ony you did see; If ye're in search o hairvest wark Upon a market day, Oh tak my advice, be there in time An look for Willie Rae. Come aa ye sturdy Rettie blades, A ringin cheer hurrah! A band o better workin lads A gaffer never saw; They're aye sae willin for tae pairt An eager for the fray, It was them that made the boatie row, 'Twas steered by Willie Rae.
9.
Ceilidh by the Spey 03:24
lyrics
buy track
CEILIDH BY THE SPEY As I cam in through Moray one morning, late July I heard the sound of fiddles, cam lilting' fae the sky I asked a man upon the road, and to me he did say "Hiv ye niver heard tell O th' ceilidh by the spey?” Folks cam in fae Peterhead, and mare fae Inverness Others in fae Aberdeen and some fae Auchterless They come to hear the music play and while their cares away For sich a time was niver had as the ceilidh by the Spey Leave your troubles at the gate, and join up in the cheer There’s days and nights of memories to last you through the years You’ll never have a better time in a “hunner” and a day I’ll bet ye’ll niver seen forget the ceilidh by the Spey It sounded aye like sich a lark, I couldn’t pass it by There was fine MacCallan's whiskey, and my throat was getting dry! There was cullenskink at Baxter's, and Walker's for the breed The Christies smiled as they passed by in a larry stacked with seed I heard ballads from Australia, in brilliant harmony Tales from Western Canada, on that wild and distant sea Their were ceilidh bands, young Jimmy Shands, all bands of high degree And pipes that scowled out rock & roll, all the way from Tennessee The music cheered the spirit, everyone was feelin’ grand The milk of human kindness flowed through every pint and dram There’s quines sae fair and loons sae braw, wha’ danced bathe nicht and day And all was peace and fellowship at the ceilidh by the Spey Then James and Colin tak the stage, wi’ Katharine, Paul, and Pete With jigs and reels and strathspeys in strains bathe bold and sweet For the Speyside spirit stirs the soul when the fiddles start to play Rekindling tradition at th’ ceilidh by the Spey There's Rick, Roddie and there's Joe, a' up there in a row And Charlie’s out, an’ prancing ‘bout and puttin’ on a show Tho’ some may say “but shite their loud!” for their of anither class The loons ‘ill set you dancin’ wi’ a sound that shatters glass! So take your glasses in your hands, we’ll have another cheer! It seems a shame that Speyfest comes but only once a year You’ll never see such a hullabaloo, for the rest of all your days I’ll bet, you’ll never soon forget the ceilidh by the Spey
10.
MacPherson's Rant 04:16
lyrics
buy track
MACPHERSON'S RANT Farewell ye dungeons dark and strong A wretch’s destiny McPherson's life will no be long On yonder gallows tree Sae rantingly, sae wantingly, sae undauntedly gaed he He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree There's some come here for to see me hung And some to buy my fiddle But before that I do part with her I'll break her through the middle He took his fiddle in both of his hands And he broke it o'er a stane Saying "There's nae ither hand shall play on thee When I am dead and gane" Take these binds frae off my hands And gi’ to me my sword For there's no other man in all th’ land But I'd brave him at his word The reprieve was coming o'er the Brigg of Banff For to set McPherson free But they put the clock up a quarter before And they hanged him from a tree Sae rantingly, sae wantingly, sae undauntedly gaed he He played a tune ay, and danced around below the gallows tree And then fareweel light and sunshine bright And all beneath the sky And let fate distain to speak his name The wretch that fears to die

about

I’ve always felt a strong affinity for Scottish music. The intensity, expressiveness, and wild beauty flow throughout its timeless words and melodies has inspired and shaped my musical perspective since before I can remember.

From my parents’ old Andy Stewart (The Scottish Soldier) recordings, to the time I discovered The Corries, Archie Fisher, The Tannahill Weavers, Silly Wizard, et al. I wasn’t fully aware of the extent of their influence, until Tiller’s Folly was invited to visit the Northeast of Scotland in the summer of 2004. There, surrounded by a collection of the finest Celtic musicians in the world, we watched, and listened, jammed, performed, and socialized to our heart’s content.

Naturally, we were anxious to lend our own perspective to this vibrant music. This “coming together” of influences is essentially the inspiration behind Buchan Bluegrass. We sincerely hope you enjoy this recording as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it.

credits

released June 1, 2006

Bruce Coughlan – vocals, guitar, tenor banjo, whistle & bodhran
Laurence Knight – electric bass, vocals
Nolan Murray – mandolin, fiddle, viola & 5-string banjo
Eric Reed – guitar, mandolin, accordion & vocals

Produced by Bruce Coughlan
Engineered & mixed by Eric Reed
Executive producer, Laurence Knight
Demos recorded at Cherryland, Maple Ridge, BC

Recorded & mixed at N.A.L. Studios, North Vancouver, BC
Mastered by Jamie Sitar at Suite Sound, Vancouver, BC
Artwork by Bruce Coughlan

Special thanks to Hok Nissen, Jim & Sue Smith, Brent Knudsen

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bruce Coughlan image

Bruce Coughlan Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Pacific Canadian-based recording & performing artist, Bruce Coughlan has spent decades making Acoustic Roots Music Music of all descriptions. An expressive singer and rock-solid guitarist, Bruce is driven by one guiding principle: It's all about the Song. ... more

contact / help

Contact Bruce Coughlan

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Buchan Bluegrass, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now