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about

Novem­ber 20th 1917. World War 1 was rag­ing in Eu­rope. En­trenched in bit­ter war­fare at the Bat­tle of Cabria in France, a reg­i­ment of Seaforth High­landers was pinned down by in­tense ma­chine gun fire. Lance-​Cor­po­ral Robert McBeath, from the small Suther­land vil­lage of Kin­lochbervie, Scot­land vol­un­teered to at­tack the guns alone, armed on­ly with a Lewis gun and re­volver. Joined by a tank, McBeath at­tacked five ma­chine gun nests in suc­ces­sion, cap­tur­ing three of­fi­cers and thir­ty en­e­my sol­diers. For this hero­ic ac­tion Robert McBeath was award­ed the Vic­to­ria Cross.

lyrics

ROBBIE MCBEATH

To walk down the strand at Oldshoremore
As the ships set out on the waves
Is to think of the bravest of Sutherland men
And all those who rest in their graves
For there’s many a lad that’s been washed on these shores
And many that’s ta’en (taken) to the depths
There’s many a lad that’s been lost to the wars
But never young Robbie McBeath

And where have you been, Robbie McBeath?
And where are you, my laddie-o?
Wha’s (who is) the cause of a’ Sutherland’s pride?
Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o?

He signed himself up, though he’s only a lad
He’s gone with the Seaforths to France
He’s taken a run, with a big Lewis Gun
And he’s taught the Germans to dance

Now down tae (at) the palace he’s kenned tae (known to) the Queen
As broadly it’s kenned tae (known to) us all
That once he has given himself to a task
There’s none that can steer him awa’ (away)

And where have you been, Robbie McBeath
And where are you, my laddie-o?
Wha’s (who is) the cause of a’ Sutherland’s pride
Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o?

Now the flags are half-masted in Vancouver City
A sombre procession begins
To honour their Constable Robert McBeath
They’ve gathered in tribute to him
As you walk down the strand at Oldshoremore
As the sun sinks in to the west
Think on the bravest of Sutherland men
And of gallant young Robbie McBeath

And where have you been, young Robbie McBeath
And where are you, my laddie-o?
Wha’s (who is) the cause of all Vancouver’s pride
Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o?
Wha’s (who is) the cause of a’ Sutherland’s pride
Wha but ye (who but you), laddie-o?

credits

from Stirring Up Ghosts Vol 1&2, released June 1, 2015
Bruce Coughlan – vocals (all tracks) acoustic guitar (2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24) wood flute (1, 5, 10, 13, 14) whistles (1, 5, 14, 20, 24)
Laurence Knight – electric bass (all tracks) vocals (7, 12, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23)
Nolan Murray – fiddle (5, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24) mandolin (4, 5, 6, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24) 5-string banjo (5, 14, 22, 23)
Joby Baker – drums (4, 20, 21, 24) Whurlitzer piano (4) vocals (20)
Ian Cameron – fiddle (1, 11) mandolin (1)
Noel Chalmers – military drum (20)
Aaron Chapman – vocals (14)
John Cowan – vocals (15)
Doug Cox – dobro (21)
Jack Duncan – percussion (1)
Colleen Eccleston – vocals (21)
Bear Erickson – elec. guitar (20) vocals (20)
Geoff Eyre – drums (2, 8, 17)
Tatiana Hancheroff – vocals (17)
Daryl Havers – accordion (3)
Dave Keogh – vocals (14)
Larry Knechtel – Hammond (15)
Craig McGregor – acoustic guitar (7, 10, 13, 17) elec. guitar (3, 17) octave mandolin (8) mandolin (9)
Jim McWilliams – bagpipes (20)
Sandy Marshall – bagpipes (20)
Chris Nordquist – drums (14, 15, 19, 23)
Gord Maxwell – vocals (2, 3, 11, 18, 22)
Aiden O’Brien – uillean pipes & whistles (4) vocals (4)
Paul O’Brien – vocals (4)
Peter Padden – vocals (2)
Eric Reed – elec. guitar (23) mandolin (6, 16) vocals (16)
Phil Robertson – drums (5, 12, 18, 22)
Mike Sanyshyn – fiddle (3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 22) mandolin (8, 12, 22)
David Sinclair – elec. guitar (4)
Victor Smith – fiddle (9) whistles (3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13) silver flute (17)
Shawn Soucy – drums (3, 9, 10, 13) percussion (8, 9, 10, 13)
Robbie Steininger – acoustic guitar (1, 5, 22) elec. guitar (18) dobro (18, 22)
Chris Stevens – 5-string banjo (7, 9, 12)
Ed Wagstaff – bagpipes (20)
Valdy – vocals (24)

All songs, music & lyrics by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN) except: The Ballad of John Rae by Bruce Coughlan & Jim Smith (SOCAN)
All tracks produced by Laurence Knight except: Laurence Knight & Steven Drake (15, 23) Joby Baker (4, 21, 24) Bruce Coughlan (6, 14, 20) Mastered & re-mastered by Joby Baker Thank-you to our families, friends and fans for all your support and inspiration!!
Thanks to everyone who contributed to our Kickstarter Stirring Up Ghosts initiative. Special thanks to Rob Armstrong, Katharine Barrett, Bob Chenoweth and the Lexvolds. Special thanks again to Dave & Paula Reed whose initial contribution made this project possible.

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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

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