Home Page for West Lothian Songwriters Group



The West Lothian Songwriters are proud to present their cd


The West Lothian Songwriters Group was formed some years ago, when a bunch of like-minded folkies got together, and realised there was no formal outlet for their talent in the West Lothian area. Most members are amateur musicians with a love of acoustic music. We have often heard writers say - "I don't know where this song came from....." so it seems the Muse is busily at work in West Lothian.

At the present time there are about six regular attenders, with several others who come as and when their busy schedules allow

We are proud to announce that after a three year project, we have produced a history in song of our home county, West Lothian. This area has a rich heritage which we have tried to bring to life through our music."The West Lothian Trail" is now available, and it's official launch took place during the Linlithgow Folk Festival 2009. Scroll down to meet the Songsters and find mp3's and lyrics


West Lothian Songwriters Programme 2012

Monday 9th January 2012
Song DEconstruction - Bring yours, or somebody else's song and we'll dismantle it.

Homework for February - "A Memorable Childhood Outing"

February 6th
The long-awaited workshop with Nancy Nicolson

Homework for March - "Your pet hate/or write about your favourite painting

March 5th
Accompaniment night - bring all the instruments you can play (or nearly play!)

Homework for April- A sea song

April 2nd
A look at the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and others

Homework for May- Write about a true situation by creating an imaginary situation based around it.(Change names, places etc to produce a story. Camouflage well!)

May 7th
Tune writing to existing lyrics - bring some lyrics eg poem, unfinished song and instruments

Homework for June - Write a traditional-styled ballad

June 4th
- Bring along a bad song or poem (think McGonagal!), and we'll dissect and re-write it.

Homework for July - Pick a character you know, or have seen on TV, and weave a story around them (Again, change names, places etc to protect the guilty)

July 2nd
The top 20 figures of speech - A discussion on their uses in songwriting (a list will be provided)

Homework for August - Write a song around a book title you have seen or read

August 6th
Love and hate - a discussion on describing these emotions
Homework for September - Write a song about someone you love (NOT romantically) or hate

September 3rd
Children's rhymes. Is it possible to turn them into adult songs?

Homework for October- "A rainbow day"

October 1st
T"A couple of dips short of a limbo", one of many derogatory-type terms that has come into modern-day literature. Try and make some up, or research them before the meeting.

Homework for November- "A road travelled without angels"

November 5th
Consider Keats' "Ode to Autumn" - How would you turn that into a song?

Homework for December - write a song about a child's feelings on Christmas Eve - REMEMBER - it may be a child who expects nothing!

December 3rd
Year's review - bring your songbooks - planning session

Homework for January - "A guid new year"
This is a programme primarily for the West Lothian Songwriters Group, but there must be hundreds of "stay at home and hide" songwriters out there. Please feel free to undertake the above homework. If you want encouragement, or to discuss songwriting, please email us, and we'll do our best to help. Think of it as distance learning!


Meet the Songsters



Kate has been writing songs for several years, and has an album currently available. Her influences (as you can probably guess from the photo), are predominantly Scottish. She is involved in several cultural groups and attends as many events as possible.


Trish started writing songs at Guide camps in her teens, lampooning the long-suffering leaders. Then followed some medical school Christmas show songs setting a trend for humorous songs. After a long gap she began writing again in the mid-90s with a poem about puffins, to which she later added a tune. Serious songs still do not come easily, as song-writing was light relief after a hard day at the surgery. Trish also writes tunes and harmonies, being heavily influenced by Scottish traditional airs in this. Song-writing runs in the family: her great-grandfather and mother were also writers, and her son has twice played "T in the Park" featuring his original material in his two bands.


" Victor Hugo said ""Music expresses that which cannot be said, and on which it is impossible to be silent."" I keep on trying anyway!" Anice has been singing since before she could walk, being brought up in a close musical family in Port Seton. "I'm far too sensitive," she says, "so when it all gets too much, I sing and write it all out" Anice is currently working on her fourth album "The Boat Shore"


Glenn "The Singing Postman" Muir from Bo'ness and Linlithgow, where he gathers inspiration from the beautiful countryside around him on his round. He has a profound love for the history of his home county. Glenn is a previous winner of "West Lothian Songwriter of the year" Glenn writes verses which happily go hand-in-hand with traditional tunes, or he can choose from other songwriters who clamour to craft melodies for him. The postie with a great turn of phrase, and an especial love for his ain country (and not a bad bodhran player either!) "I have no idea where the songs come from most of the time. It's my way of trying to make some sort of sense of this crazy old world."


Paul has wide experience of various types of music, comes from a musical family, and started his musical career in a choir. He has recently released an album of self-penned songs "Being Here". "I started to write songs in the mid-1990s, quite soon after I revived my interest in traditional song by joining Sangschule, West Lothian's community song group. Many of my songs revisit traditional folk themes and are written in Scots. I do believe that the loss of traditional Scots words from our vocabulary diminishes us all.

Spending much of my free time travelling the Highlands and coast of Scotland provides me with plenty of inspiration for songs, but I also have an interest in aspects of local history that has provided me with material for several songs, including the two on this CD.

I enjoy finger-picked guitar accompaniments that build up increasing layers of complexity. I love writing melodies, and only wish I could remember some of the ones that come to me in the middle of meetings at work!

I also sing with my wife Susan as the duo 'Sandwood' (named after one of our favourite places on the Sutherland coast)."



Iain draws from his experiences of life to compose down-to-earth songs, which everyone can relate to.

"I was born in 1948 and raised in Pumpherston. I left home at 17 and headed for London where I worked in the Hilton hotel and the Playboy club. I came back in 1969 but couldn't settle and joined the RAF as a photographer. I was posted to a number of camps in Scotland, England and Malta and detached to Libya and Singapore. I've worked on building sites and engineering works; done mind-numbing factory work; been unemployed and then was ill for many years. I went "back to school" in my late 50's and gained an HNC in Social Care. Presently my job involves enabling people with learning difficulties to live in their own tenancies.

As well as my experiences in the "university of life", I had accumulated a wife and four children over the years and it all came together to provide me with some good material for my songs. Some are angry, some are funny and some are sad or wistful - just like my life in fact. And yours! I joined the West Lothian Songwriters group and was pleased to win the inaugural "Songwriter of the Year award.""


Susan sings vocals on "I'll bring your laddie home" She has lately become a member of the Songwriters and we're hoping to hear some of her compositions soon.


Kath sings vocals on Glenn's songs "Deep Kinneil" and "Fisher's Brae". She's a weel-kent face around the folk festival circuit and a multi-prize winner in their competitions. Cath RIP


Thanks once again to our dedicated sound men, Huw Streater and Owen McLauchlan



THE TRACK LISTING ( with liner notes)
The lyrics for these songs with mp3 clips can be found at the foot of the page

1. The West Lothian Trail Kate Smith © Kate Smith
A song to take you around specific points of interest on the West Lothian Trail
Vocals, keyboard Kate Smith, guitar Huw Streater, backing vocals Anice Gilland.

2. The House on the Hill (2003) Trish Santer Lyrics/melody/arrangement © Trish Santer.

Binny House, a Sue Ryder home, caring for those with long-term incapacitating illness, or needing palliative care, closed in 2002 owing to funding problems. (It later re-opened as a private clinic.) It has the most beautiful rhododendrons in West Lothian, as noted in the song.

Piano -Trish Santer, Guitar -Trish Santer, Vocals Trish Santer,

Sampling - Ewan Santer. Thanks also to Ewan Santer for recording the above song, and "Upon the Avon Brig"

3. Silver Darlings and Black Diamonds Anice Gilland © A Gilland 2003
A song about the proud industrial heritage of West Lothian and its decline in the past half century.

Thanks to Paul Streater for harmonies, bouzouki and whistle work.

4. Deep Kinneil Glenn Muir © Lyrics Glenn Muir, Melody Neil Macdonald and Paul Gallagher

A tribute to The Dirty Dozen whose 1982 "sit in" at The Kinneil Colliery failed to save the mine from closure. They were led by my late guid-faither Big Jim Frater.

Vocals - Glenn Muir, Kath Parkin and Paul Gallagher, Guitar - Paul Gallagher

5. I'll bring your laddie home Paul Streater © Lyrics and Melody Paul Streater

Bo'ness was at one time the biggest importer of Scandinavian timber for propping up Scotland's coal mines. Though the mines have gone and the harbour is unusable, the timber businesses are still there.

Vocals Susan Streater, Guitar, Keyboard, and Backing vocals Paul Streater, String Synthesis Huw Streater.

6. Awaken the night Paul Gallagher © Lyrics and melody Paul Gallagher

A song about the aftermath of the Armadale Gala, which at one time was a family event, but now seems to have turned into another excuse for some sections of the community to get drunk.

Vocals - Paul Gallagher, Keyboards - Larry Davidson , Bass - Paul Onelo, Guitar - John Kelly, Drums - Martin Wykes.

7. As Deep As The Shale Iain McClafferty © Lyrics and Melody Iain McClafferty

This song is about Livingston New Town being built over my childhood playgrounds. I find it sad that it's all gone but I tried to put myself in the shoes of previous generations to imagine how they must have felt at living through even greater changes.

Vocals, guitar, moothie Iain McClafferty, Vocal harmony Kate Smith.

8. Fisher’s Brae Glenn Muir © Lyrics Glenn Muir, Melody Trish Santer
A public foot-path between Linlithgow-Bridge and Bo'ness, a lovely walk in summer with views north to the Ochils and south to Cockleroi.

Vocals - Glenn Muir and Kath Parkin, Guitars - Anice Gilland and Paul Gallagher, Arrangement Glenn Muir.

9. The Gudeman o' BallengeichA Gilland © A Gilland 2006

In response to a request by local historian Jonathan Cooper to commemorate the "Battle of Linlithgow Bridge". King James was known to roam the countryside in disguise as the "Gudeman o' Ballengeich".
Thanks to Paul Streater for harmonies, bouzouki and whistle work.

10.Times Past and Present Kate Smith © Kate Smith
A look back at West Lothian's past and a wish for her future
Vocals, keyboard Kate Smith.

11. Torphichen Braes Paul Streater Lyrics and Melody © Paul Streater
The Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem (caring for pilgrims to the Holy Land) had their Scottish base at Torphichen. Local men would accompany the knights, often into harm's way.

Vocals and guitar – Paul Streater, Cello- Kirsty Cox.

12. Upon the Avon Brig Trish Santer(2006) © Lyrics Jonathan Cooper © Melody/Musical arrangement Trish Santer

Jonathan Cooper, local historian, wrote in his book, “The Heart and the Rose” of the Battle of Linlithgow Bridge of 1526, which took place 13 years after Flodden, at which James 1V had been slain. A Regent had been appointed until James V was old enough to rule, but clan warfare broke out.

Guitar -Trish Santer, vocals - Trish Santer, bodhran Trish Santer

13. When We'll A' Be Better Dressed Iain McClafferty © Lyrics Iain McClafferty

When the American firm, Motorola, closed they offered us a free, state-of-the-art, mobile phone as part of a fairly good redundancy package. But we would rather have kept our jobs so we told them where to stick their free phones! They closed anyway. And soon after, so did the Japanese firm, N.E.C. But it was just business. Had these companies been Scottish owned, we'd have treated the workforce just the very same. Aye, an angry song! No apologies for that. None at all!

Vocals, guitar - Iain McClafferty.

14. In your honour © A Gilland 2002

In between Christmas and New Year 2002, I suddenly realised that we poor Scots had no modern New Year blessing, so here it is!

Thanks tae the "hale buddy o' the kirk" for this version

Guitar - Anice Gilland, Whistle Paul Streater, Button Accordion Trish Santer, Vocals Anice Gilland, Glenn Muir, Kath Parkin, Trish Santer, Susan Streater, Paul Streater.


Here's the Songs!




THE WEST LOTHIAN TRAIL
© Kate Smith 2007
Download weslo.mp3

Frae Lithgae Palace tae the fairms at Avonside
The priory at Torphican whaur ye'd find St Johns' Knights
Tae the hills o' Bathgate, Cairnpapple comes tae view
Whaur sat William Wallace as he thocht oan what tae do

West Lothian, ye hae yer tales tae tell
West Lothian, in oor herts you dwell
West Lothian, ye hae yer tales tae tell
West Lothian, in oor herts you dwell

Doon intae Whitburn fae the toon of Airmadale
Traivel tae West Cawder whaur the Five Sisters dwell
Five bings to remind us o' the men wha dug the shale
And raised pink mountains ower West Lothian's trail

West Lothian, ye hae yer tales tae tell
West Lothian, in oor herts you dwell
West Lothian, ye hae yer tales tae tell
West Lothian, in oor herts you dwell

Tae the new toon at Livi, Pumphie and Upha'
Doon past auld Broxburn, and Winchburgh an' a'
Where The Bruce chased Edward, scourge of all Scotland
and tae Lithgae whaur Queen Mary's life began

West Lothian, ye hae yer tales tae tell
West Lothian, in oor herts you dwell
West Lothian, ye hae yer tales tae tell
West Lothian, in oor herts you dwell

THE HOUSE ON THE HILL
© Trish Santer 2003
Download house.mp3

There's a house on a hill, up a very long drive,
Where, not long ago, it was so much alive
With the sounds of the people who called it their home,
But now you've all gone to places unknown.

It was a place of solace, a haven of rest,
For the living and the dying, it seemed it was the best,
There was brightness and laughter, and sometimes there were tears
As we talked of your hopes, your beliefs and your fears.

And what, may you ask, caused the big doors to close
On the house that was your home, well heaven only knows,
The excuse, often given, there was just not enough
To care for you all, and to pay all the staff.
Appeals to keep you going just fell on deaf ears,
Though some of you'd lived there for more than several years,
So now, as I see the rhododendrons in bloom,
I wonder where you are, and if you like your new room.

So what's to become of the house on the hill?
Will it lie there empty, bare, dank and chill?
And what's to become of you folks who lived there?
I hope you are happy, with people who care.

It was a place of solace, a haven of rest,
For the living and the dying, it seemed it was the best,
There was brightness and laughter, and sometimes there were tears
As we talked of your hopes, your beliefs and your fears.

But there's no-one there any more

SILVER DARLIN'S AND BLACK DIAMONDS
© 9/5/03 A Gilland
Download sildar.mp3

They rode the swells and troughs intae the night
Crawled on their bellies wi' only candlelight
But the fire in their herts kept them oan the trail
Tae feed their weans, they dare not fail
An' Silver Darlin's and Black Diamonds
Filled their lives, filled their lives

At Polkemmet where the men fell
Sinking shafts and digging roads
“The Dardanelles” destroyed them
Wi' each and every load
And in Whitburn when ye pass by
Ye can smell the pit stench still
Their closing doon served up a bitter pill
Chorus
At the time when their were Garvies
Throughout auld Bon'ess toon
The boats were set for Russia
And the Baltic ports aroon'
Did they ever think tae see a time
When the fishing widna be
And the trawlermen jist couldnae pit to sea

Chorus

So these working men who's lives were filled
With herrin', dross and damp
Will fade intae legend, lit by a sepia lamp
An' oor children will wonder
How it ever came tae be
That Scotland was supported
By pit props and the sea

Chorus

Note Garvies is a nickname for Bo'nessians and were the local name given to tiny herring and sprats landed in Bo'ness and salted and exported to Russia and the Baltic
“Dardanelles” – the nickname for the pit because its opening coincided with the World War campaign and also because of the number of lives lost sinking its shafts and digging the road

DEEP KINNEIL
© G F Muir
Download kinneil.mp3

Steam trains run o'er Deep Kinneil
But what do tourists know?
They come in search of auld clay-mines
What do they know of all that coal below?
Who can say?,who can tell?
Was it a dream? or was it real?
The pit-wheel's gone frae the auld pit-heid
O' yes indeed,where lies the Deep Kinneil?
Where lies Kinneil?---Deep Kinneil

Proud and black their faces were
As they sweated blood below.
They were further from heaven and close tae hell.
So where did all-all those miners go?
Who can say?,who can tell?
Was it a dream? Or was it real?
The pit-wheel's gone frae the auld pit-heid
O' yes indeed,where lies the Deep Kinneil?
Where lies Kinneil?---Deep Kinneil

Dae ye mind o'the Dirty Dozen?
And the heroes part they played.
And could you name that Judas pair?
By whom they were rejected and betrayed.
Who can say?,who can tell?
Was it a dream? Or was it real?
The pit-wheel's gone frae the auld pit-heid O' yes indeed where lies the Deep Kinneil?
Where lies Kinneil?---Deep Kinneil

The pits formed bonds of brotherhood
Of comrades proud and leal
They'd mind your back and share the crack.
They sweated and they died there in Kinneil.
Who can say?,who can tell?
Was it a dream? or was it real?
The pit-wheel's gone frae the auld pit-heid
O' yes indeed where lies the Deep Kinneil?
Where lies Kinneil?---Deep Kinneil

Words by Glenn.F. Muir,
Tune and arrangement P Gallagher(adapted from original tune by Neil MacDonald)

BRING YOUR LADDIE HOME
© P Streater
Download home.mp3
I'm standing on the foreshore, and I'm looking down the Forth
For the wind that brings my laddie home is backing to the north
His mind is full of timber, but my mind is full of him
And my heart will only settle when his boat comes gliding in

Ch
For the wind that shakes the trees is the same wind says to me
“Don't fret my lass, for I'll bring your laddie home
Though my strength may cause your fright, I will see your man a-right
Don't fret my lass, for I'll bring your laddie home

As I strip the bark for pit props, so I dream of what might be
But I fear my love would always rather sail the northern sea
What would he do, were he to stay? He'd toil at hewing coal
And the dark and dust would grind him down, and wear away his soul

So I'll walk along the foreshore and I'll climb high up the brae
And I'll look out for his boat , and for his happiness I'll pray
But I hope one day he'll settle. and he'll settle here with me
Then no more I'll need to listen to the wind from off the sea

AWAKEN THE NIGHT
© Paul Gallagher
Download night.mp3
Standing underneath the old town clock
Hecking out their faces one by one
As they pass the time, pass the time
Littered gutters laid to rest as the evening draws its blinds and says
The carnivals to close its eyes
So neon lights flickers out from fun fare stands, from fun fare stands

Ch
Still younger blood runs through those, those empty streets
Is it a joke a shout or is it some distant scream
To waken up the night, to waken up the night,
To waken up the night, to waken up the night

Standing underneath the old town clock
The air is filled with foreign smells
To take a walk in china town, or Istanbul
Would fool you now, would fool you now

Ch

The publican shouted time gentlemen please
Some staggered up from their knees
Merry dancers danced then said goodnight
Some lovers loved then had a fight
To waken up the night, to waken up the night

The publican shouted time gentlemen please
Some staggered up from their knees
Merry dancers danced then said goodnight
Some lovers loved then had a fight
To waken up the night, to waken up the night

AS DEEP AS THE SHALE
© Iain McClafferty 2004
Download shale.mp3
Stravaigin ower the fields an braes,
We scaled the bings o bright pink blaes,
An' never thocht thae summer days
Could end at a'.
But life flees by, leaves us a-daze
Wi' mem'ries raw.

1st Chorus
An' noo they've tar-mac'd ower my childhood,
An' my memory's startin tae fail.
My Harrysmuir, Pumpherston childhood
Lies buried as deep as the shale.

The works that built the giant bings,
Steered up oor youthfu imaginings.
We jouked roond rusted, broken things
An' thocht nane o't.
Noo mem'ries loup wi sudden sting
An' stap my throat.

2nd Chorus
They've built a golf course ower my chilhood......

They've hauled away the tarry pond,
The burnin tip an' the cooler's gone,
They didnae need nae magic wand,
I suppose.
That's progress, jist, a new day's dawned
And by Christ, it shows!

3rd chorus
Aye, they've busked away my childhood.....

I ken that Time'll no stand still,
But Progress can be a bitter pill,
An' they tell me noo I'm ower the hill,
'Cause I'm auld an' grey.
My only pleasure noo is twa'r three gill
It keeps the cauld away.

4th Chorus
Noo there's a mist creepin ower my childhood,
The mem'ries are startin tae fail.
My Harrysmuir, Pumpherston childhood
Lies buried as deep as the shale.

FISHERS BRAE
© G F Muir/T Santer
Download brae.mp3
When spring-time cam tae Fisher's Brae
And the yorlin sang sae sweet
We'd walk thegither airm in airm
Up past Jock Mason's seat
By Balderston and Muirhouse
Onward past Bo'mains.
We'd view the dew-clad Ochils
And Grangemouth's smokey flames.

In summer we'd climb up Fisher's Brae
It's the time we lo'ed the best
We'd listen there for the hoolet's cry
As the sun sank in the west
By Balderston and Muirhouse
Onward past Bo'mains
We'd view the shady Ochils
And Grangemouth's smokey flames.

A whaup's wheep on the autumn wind
Now haunts the Fisher's Brae
And I weary for that dark-haired girl
Wi' whom I used tae stray
By Balderston and Muirhouse
Onward past Bo'mains
Tae view the brooding Ochils And Grangemouth's smokey flames.

The silent winter snow will come
When none tread Fisher's Brae
A blanket deep,where sorrows sleep
'neath a sky sae dark and grey.
By Balderston and Muirhouse
Onward past Bo'mains
Tae view the shrouded Ochils
And Grangemouth's smokey flames.

THE GUDEMAN O' BALLENGEICH
© A Gilland 12/3/06
Download gudeman.mp3
Oh ye d'ken wha' tae trust, Jamie
In the war 'tween Rose and Hert, loyalties fa' tae dust
An' a puir wumman needs a man, thru' this life o' trials
But I'd gie ye ma life, James, my son

Noo yer faither's deid and goan, Jamie
An' ah sat there ma lain in ma bower
His earl's lying slain by his side
Others watched his blood flow freely oan.

In '26 at Lithgae Bridge, we made oor stand
Wi' Lennox standing by us; trusty sword in hand
To gain ma son back and set him free
Hame to rule Scotland; as his faither used tae dae

Refrain

But Douglas swore that day, that should my son be taen,
his bodied'd be in pieces, and Douglas hae the main,
Tae stop him, bravest Lennox, fought 'till he was slain
stabbed by cowardly Hamilton; laid at Lennox cairn

Still my boy survived it a', he lived tae fight again,
But grew tae trusting nae man, and allied owre the Main
Found nights o' consolation laying wi' the maids
And tramped the roads dressed as a journeyman

Refrain

TIMES PAST AND PRESENT
© Kate Smith 2004
Download times.mp3
Rosepink the towers surrounding our towns
Raised by the men as they dug underground
Neat little houses were built on the land
That now forms the county of West Lothian

Palaces and castles stood majestic and tall
Where once our great lords lived and ruled over all
That sheltered Scots Mary the queen of our land
Safe in the county of West Lothian

Chorus
The winches and mines all lie silent and tame
And quiet are the castles whose ruins remain
To remind us of years past, that now have long gone
Of times in the county of West Lothian

TORPHICHEN BRAES
© Paul Streater 2002
Download torph.mp3
As children you and I would rise
And find adventures in each summer day,
And homeward bound would trudge at eventide
Torphichen braes and Avon side were where we used to play
The River Avon draws strongly to the sea
As I was drawn, love, was drawn away from thee
The Templar Order has work which waits for me
And always will, though I lament, a thousand leagues from thee.
And as we grew, you and I would walk
To Bowdenhill's old ramparts built of stone
And there would linger, our minds all full of talk
Torphichen braes and Avon side were where we used to roam
The River Avon slips quietly to the sea
As I slipped off, love, to seek my destiny
And now I wonder, if you still think of me
As I lie here, and think of you, a thousand leagues from me.
And as you bloomed, and our love did grow
By Cathlaw and Cairnpapple we'd be sought
Stretched out aloft, we two would look afar
Torphichen braes and Avon side were where we used to court
The River Avon fights fiercely to the sea
As I fight on, love, my head still full of thee
And though I falter, if you still think of me
I'll fight on stronger, every hour, a thousand leagues from thee.

And when at last we did plight our troth
And yet we knew that I would have to leave
To face the mighty Saracen's wrath
Torphichen braes and Avon side were where we both did grieve.
The River Avon spills quietly in the sea
My blood spills here, love, strength fades away from me
And now I wonder, if you still think of me
As I die here, and think of you, a thousand leagues from me.
(repeat tune)
Torphichen braes and Avon side are where I long to be.

UPON THE AVON BRIG
© Trish Santer/Jonathan Cooper
Download avon.mp3
Now we stand here upon the banks of the Avon
And we merched up from old Lithgae' town
Got my kin folk and freends all around me
And I swear that I winna let them down

Pulled the falcons up frae the Blackness yesterday
Set the facscines on the brig across the way
Set the watch on Haining's crumbling keep
Look tae the westlands wi' oor orders no tae sleep

And noo in September's milky light
Men we ken come on tae us to fight
Men who stood wi' us at Branxton's reddened field
Call upon oor ranks and pray for us tae yield

But we stand fast here upon Lithgae's borders
And we cannae turn and leave for the toun
As oor Lairds ha'e called us tae the colours
And our families, we cannae let them down

On they come wi' all their banners flying high
Crossing the ford tae the whiffler's rousing cries
Pikes are levelled as they step up tae the slope
God preserve us a', as it is oor only hope

My hert is a-beating ta the soond o' closing drums
Guns are calling frae the brig, whence we'd just come
Hackbuts sparking frae the flankers tae their fore
Weight o' bodies pushing me on tae bloody war.

As we must stand here upon the Pace's ridge line
As we must hold on tae oor files and oor fear
We cannae falter in the cause o' the calling
As we ken that oor King is drawing near

As they lay me doon I see the sun settling westward
The cry of 'A Douglas' is ringing in the air
My brothers lie wi' me thegither in the darkness
And we cannae see any glory frae here

As we must lie here on Avon's shore forever
Never a stone or a mark tae oor name
We died as trueScots, we died thegither
Fighting for……. and against the same (rep last line)

WHEN WE'LL A' BE BETTER DRESSED
© Iain McClafferty 2001 (Tune: The John McLean March)
Download dressed.mp3
Hey! Thanks Motorola! Shove your phone up your jacksie!
Awa back tae the USA, your Land o the free!
Awa an' dinnae fash yourself, you big Yankee bastard!
We'll get by without ye here – jist mind an' hand back your key!
We've heard aa the theories o the monetary madness,
An' whit's happened in the past when the mighty dollar stalled.
See, industry's global an' we're aa yoked thegither noo
An' when the US sneezes, well, it's us that gets the cauld!:

Hey! Thanks, NEC! I hear your layin aff some workers,
Getting shot o your wheengin Jocks – flush them doon the pan!
Nae bother, pal, an' mind, if this recession gets ony worse,
Balance up your books by scuffling back tae Japan!
Sure that wad cause a stushie, an' we might miss your sushie,
But your karaoke's shite, Tojo, tak it awa hame!
Shove your semi-conductors an' your wee micro-processors,
Grab your grants an' run – that's the name o the game!:

Bit, hey! List tae me noo, Mac, tak tent tae my bletherin,
Dinnae think thae crusy Yanks an' Japs are tae blame.
For we're aa Jock Tamson's bairns, an' if the bit wis on the ither fit,
We'd be gie'n them the “wellie” – jist the very same!
Sae the moral o my tale is: “Dinnae listen tae moral tales.
The warld's as ye find it, jist get on an' dae your best.
If your future's lukin dark tae you, then licht a bluidy cannel!
An' I'll see ye's sometime later when we'll aa be better dressed

IN YOUR HONOUR (A West Lothian Toast)
© A Gilland 27/12/02
Download honour.mp3
I'll charge my glass in your honour
Here's a toast to all freen's here
May your days be filled with beauty
And your nighttimes without fear

chorus
May you always walk a straight path
May your music ay be sweet
And, throughout your lifetime
Your hearth be stacked wi' peat

Here's tae the joy of freen'ship
Here's tae the freendly jo
An' hope that all your lifetime
A joyous road you'll go
So, a toast to a' here present
A thocht for a' those by
A prayer gi'en for the future
Tae a kindly, watchfu' eye

So let's raise a glass for Auld Lang Syne
For freen'ship doon the years
An' tae those that's yet to come
May their days be withoot tears
May they always walk a straight path
May their music aye be sweet
And throughout their lifetimes
Their hearths be stacked wi' peat
And throughout your lifetime
Your hearth be stacked with peat

And throughout your lifetime
Your hearth be stacked with peat

You can download a pdf file of all the songs HERE (you will need Adobe Acrobat software - free on the net)


Songs


The West Lothian Songwriters Group meets in the upstairs lounge at The Black Bitch Tavern, High Street, Linlithgow, on the first Monday of the month at 8pm. All genuinely interested songwriters will be more than welcome.


If you wish to contact us, you'll get us at

magjam@hotmail.com