“I saw the harvest of a small field. The women reaped the corn, and the men bound up the sheaves. The strokes of the fickle were timed by the modulation of the harvest-song, in which all their voices were united. They accompany in the Highlands every action which can be done in equal time, with an appropriated strain, which has, they fay, not much meaning; but its effects are regularity and chearfulness. The ancient proceleusmatic song, by which the rowers of gallies were animated, may be supposed to have been of this kind. There is now an oar-song used by the Hebridians.”
[A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland, Johnson, 1775, p.97]



“Dr. Johnfon tells us that he faw the Harveft of a fmall Field in one of the weftern Iflands:— The Strokes of the Sickle were timed by the Modulation of the Harveft Song, in which all their Voices were united:— ….. There is now an Oar Song ufed by the Hebridians —Thus far the learned Traveller. Our Sailors at Newcaftle, in heaving their Anchors, &c. ufe a Song of this Kind.”
[Observations on Popular Antiquities, Brand, 1777, p.308]