Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells

Subject: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells (Pibroch)
From: GUEST,Corona Smith
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 03:35 PM

Hello, I am familiar with the Pibroch 'Old Men of the Shells' and have heard tell of a version with singing by Calum Johnston.

Can anybody help me find the words to this tune?

Many thanks!

Corona.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith.
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 03:36 PM

Just to add that any information about the tune and/or words would be much appreciated!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 03:47 PM

Hi, Corona - can you post the lyrics you have, even if they aren't complete? Amazon has one song listed by that name, with lyrics by Alisdair Roberts.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 03:52 PM

I can't help with the sung version, but a long time ago I read some piece of folklore that said the old men were some kind of war deities living in a cave and using the shells as implements in magical spells to stir up dissension, hatred and violence.

I would think if anybody actually knows it'll be Allan Macdonald.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 04:34 PM

Hi Jack and Joe.

I don't have any lyrics, I have just heard they exist. Apparently there is a recording of Calum Johnston singing them accompanied by Pipe Major John Burgess, I have not heard this version though.

I am not sure if the tune by Alisdair Roberts is the same?

Corona.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith.
Date: 28 Mar 09 - 05:37 PM

Here is a portion of the lyric to the Alisdair Roberts song (I am not sure if they are related to the song I'm looking for?)

"As I roved out one shrovetide eve
among the bramble and the cloudberry
its then I heard a melody
a blowing over the northern sea
the song of the old men of the shells

the old men of the shells my boys
the old men of the shells
I left the ones who loved me well
to find my home in the heathery dell
and follow the old men of the shells"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 04:16 PM

Nobody is familiar with this tune or song then?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 05:44 PM

Just to update, the tune above by Alisdair Roberts is not the one I was looking for. I am looking for the words to a Pibroch called Old Men of the Shells.

Thanks!

Corona.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 01:17 AM

The Old Man of the Shells" occurs one Shrovetide day and is another winding, watery tale that I cannot fathom. The effect, though, is quite the opposite of the lines it contains, proclaiming "Wise words on a foolish tongue / However sweetly they be sung / They'll never please the old men of the shells." The melody is adapted from that of the traditional Irish song "The Verdant Braes of Screen".

found at


this site

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 01:26 AM

http://www.netrhythms.co.uk/reviewsr.html#roberts

If AR did the song on "The Amber Gatherers" then the correct title is "The Old MAN of the Shells" although having tripped over that little snippet hasn't helped a bit in finding lyrics other than those in the previous post.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 05:18 AM

Hello Peace, This is not the song I am looking for...

You are talking about a contemporary song by the above mentioned artist.

I am looking for a Pibroch, usually played by a piper. Apparently there is a version where Callum Johnston sings....

Thanks!!!

Corona.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Peace
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 01:28 AM

Sorry. I will look s'more tomorrow. Dang.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Peace
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 02:08 AM

"Bodaich Dhubha nan Slige"

Might be worth while to contact a Scottish Gaelic Society and inquire. That's the Scottish name of the song according to a site I found. Not much help, I know, but the longest journey . . . .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 04:25 AM

Post on Footstompin and see if Allan MacDonald responds. Nobody knows more about the relationship between song and pibroch than he does.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Men of the Shells
From: GUEST,Corona Smith
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 04:06 PM

Yes I was beginning to wonder if the words were in Gaelic, hence the difficulty in finding it. Thanks folks, I will continue my search!