Iain's Notes: The first case of foot and mouth disease was diagnosed in February 2001 at an abattoir in Essex. The source was traced to a farm in Northumberland. The disease spread rapidly throughout Britain - with Cumbria being the worst affected. In Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway was one of the first areas to be hit. I've written the song from a Scottish perspective, after watching an old farmer break down on television as he explained to a reporter how he had list everything.
Ill Wind Frae Cumberland
chorus: Its an ill wind blawn frae Cumberland That is sweeping o'er the Solway sand Wi' disease and devastation fanned aroon
Noo the pyres burn and fortunes fa' The length and breadth o' Gallowa And anger bides in countryside and toon
v1 See the fairmer in ahint his gate Broken doon in sic a state While government debate whit should be done
A' his fields and his pastures bare O' the kye and yowes he'd grazing there Noo victims o' a scare And the slaughtering gun
chorus: Its an ill wind blawn frae Cumberland....
v2 There's nae words o' hope can ease the pain Or mak him want tae stairt again When a' a lifetimes work in flames You see.....................??? (oops, my copy is missing this line!)
Aye its hard enough to mak it pay But when ye ken nae ither way Whit is lost and gaun this day Has brought misery
chorus: Its an ill wind blawn frae Cumberland... _________________________
Alas tho I have the tune in my head, I have no recording of it so either you'll have to contact Iain or me to have it sung to you! (Iain writes for accompanying himself on guitar -- then I learn some of them to sing traditionally / un-accompanied so -- best to get Iain's own version!!) There;'s a possibility Jim Jack and John Graham have got this one from Iain, if so you might hear them do it - -- ?