Lyr Req: The Barren Rocks of Aden

Subject: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: GUEST,Firínne
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 08:19 PM

Does anyone know the words of this song? Does it have words or is it just an air?

Subject: RE: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: smallpiper
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 08:36 PM

Don't think it has words unless someone has added them. Its a quick march.

Subject: RE: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: Barry T
Date: 29 Oct 02 - 11:53 PM

I agree with smallpiper, this one's a tune only, not a song.

But here is some info on its origin, thanks to a poster on Bob Dunsire's Bagpipe Web Forum...

Britain was the first European power in the region to take possession of Aden (now in the Republic of Yemen) on the Arabian coast in 1839, in order to protect British trade routes and provide safe passage and anchorage for ships. Over the years many Scots regiments were based there. This tune was written during this time.

In the mid-1870s Egypt, defying the claims of Turkey, occupied some of the towns on the Somali coast. When the Egyptian troops left in 1882 to respond to the revolt of the Mahdi in the Sudan, Great Britain occupied the territory.

Britain was mainly concerned with keeping open the route to India through the Suez Canal, which had been opened in 1869. Then in 1887, Britain proclaimed it a British protectorate, and named it British Somaliland. Initially a dependency of Aden, it was placed under the administration of the colonial office in 1905.

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Subject: RE: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: Barry T
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 12:00 AM

I knew I should have checked Andy Stewart's repertoire before I replied above. Sure enough! This tune is one of the many tunes for which Andy has crafted lyrics.

I haven't searched for them, but they may be on the web somewhere (though they are copyrighted). Failing that search, buy a CD. He's written some great stuff!

Subject: RE: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: Teribus
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 01:59 AM

The Barren Rocks of Aden, I believe is the Regimental Quick March of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, so originally a pipe tune. As Barry T says above I have heard words of a song to that tune but a long time ago. I'll start digging and hope I can come up with something for you.

Subject: RE: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 03:53 AM

I tell you who has written a song to the tune... Adam McNaughtan...

His song is a paean (sp?) to the glories of the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer. Click here for info about Tunnock's


I don't have the words, but it's a cracker...

Well actually it's not a cracker - it's a chcocolate wafer..

Cheers


Steven

Subject: RE: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 04:27 AM

As kids we used to sing--"Blaw, blaw ma Kilts awa' and bring me back ma troosers!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 05:25 PM

This site (http://www.capitol6000.com/7200045s.htm) mentions a 45-rpm vinyl record, Capitol 72094, by Andy Stewart, featuring "The Barren Rocks of Aden" and "I've Never Kissed a Bonnie Lass Before." I don't have the date.

Now, would that be Andy M. Stewart or this other Andy Stewart?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barren Rocks of Aden
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 05:47 PM

The "other" Andy, of course; that is to say, (still) the more famous of the two! Andy "M" began to use his middle initial once he started to get noticed, so far as I remember, in order to distinguish himself from his better-known namesake.