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Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song

11 Jan 11 - 09:06 AM (#3072064)
Subject: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Chastings

I'm currently writing a dissertation entitled 'Sustaining traditional song in Dumfries and Galloway over the last three centuries'

I am hoping to find out about the various song collections from the area, and also about those who have collected song. I am also hoping to find out about various events/projects that have happened in the past and are happening now to allow traditional song to live on in Dumfriesshire. these include Dumfries folk club, Moniaive Folk Festival and Stravaig.

I would really appreciate any information that anyone has about where they know songs have been learned in the past (e.g. local smiddy, regular pub session) and also if there is anything they know of happening at the moment. Also if you know of any useful informants, or if you are from the area and singing tradtional song.

Cheers,

Claire


11 Jan 11 - 09:22 AM (#3072073)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Steve Gardham

Claire,

Off the top of my head.
MacMath's collection is archived somewhere in the region.

One of the early members of the Dumfries and Galloway Historical Society (may not be correct name) was very interested in ballads and wrote several articles for their journal, which I'd love to get hold of. I have the details somewhere but it would involve a search.

I did some research into the Child ballad 'John of Hazelgreen' and the only place I could find with a similar name, of any age, in the whole of Scotland was Hazley Green, a couple of miles from Newton Stewart and well within the range of the Garlies Stewarts. Someone on the spot might be able to find out more of this.


12 Jan 11 - 05:37 AM (#3072762)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,Sue Allan

You may be interested in this, from Traditional Song Forum minutes of meeting Feb 09, attended by Ali Burns:
Ali Burns is a music educator, based in Galloway and working with community choirs and doing workshops.She is trying to get more traditional material into the repertoire of the choirs she works with – less of a
problem in Scotland. Not many of the people in the 'natural voice' world teach traditional song. She has been
pillaging various archives, including the Baring-Gould archive, and has used many of them in her work She
talked about 'reconditioning' songs (though the idea of 'pre-loved songs' had been suggested to her). At
Kirkcudbright there is a collection made by Edward Hornel, one of the artists known as the 'Glasgow Boys',
He had bought up a number of books, including a number of scraps of music which interest her. She is also
continuing her work on William McMath, who worked with Francis Child, passing Scottish ballads to him over
30 years. He also made his own collection of other songs, which are of great interest. She is also working on
a performance based on material from Burns, for the Homecoming Year. She is also working on carols,
aiming to produce a collection of Scottish carols at the end of the year.
Her contact details: ali@littleegg.demon.co.uk


12 Jan 11 - 07:03 AM (#3072799)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: greg stephens

Rory McLeod has written a fine new song to the old tune "A Trip to Galloway"(which he discovered lurking on an obscure though not uninteresting CD by the Boat Band). It's on a new CD of songs written by various people about the Roman Wall. Can't remember details of the record, but if I can find any links I'll post them.It came out last autumn as a result of a Brampton Live project.


12 Jan 11 - 07:53 AM (#3072833)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Chastings

Thanks very much for your help, this is all very useful.

Claire


12 Jan 11 - 09:41 AM (#3072897)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Sue Allan

The record Greg mentions was produced by Fellside Recordings:
VARIOUS: ALL ALONG THE WALL      FECD236
A group of five singer/songwriters and two poets were gathered in a house near to Hadrian's Wall and given the task of writing a cycle of songs and poems connected with the Wall. They laboured for six days and on the seventh they presented the songs in concert. This CD was recorded at that concert. The songwriters were Boo Hewerdine, Jez Lowe, Julie Matthews, Rory McLeod and Ruth Notman. The poets were Kate Fox and Elvis McGonagall. They were joined by instrumentalist Kate Bramley on fiddle.


12 Jan 11 - 11:32 AM (#3072993)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,folkiedave

My wife comes from the area - in fact down at the very end - Drummore. There were some songs being written by a milk tanker driver called Henry McCracken, he did one specially for our wedding!!

I seem to remember the librarian at Stranraer is a fiddle player.

And we met someone last year at Cullerslie Singing weekend who was looking for material. Not a huge amount in the School of Scottish Studies archives apparently.

Sorry this is a bit disjointed.

Dave


12 Jan 11 - 11:40 AM (#3072998)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,Auldtimer

Have you been to www.tobaranduchais.co.uk/en


12 Jan 11 - 01:00 PM (#3073090)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Matthew Edwards

I think the antiquarian Steve is trying to remember might have been Joseph Train FSA Scot.(1779-1852) an Ayrshire man who was an excise officer in Galloway, and who corresponded over a long period with Sir Walter Scott, providing him in particular with the character of 'Old Mortality' in the novel of that name.

There is a Memoir of Joseph Train, written by John Patterson in 1857, which is available to read in the Internet Archive, and which contains much information about Train's researches in Galloway and elsewhere.

There is a good article by Angus Fraser about Train in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, which you should be able to access online through most UK libraries.

I came across Train when looking for the source for "Ayrshire Lasses", which Train attributed to John Riddel "the best musician Scotland ever saw".

Train's early verse collection of songs and traditions from Carrick and Galloway was published in 1814 as Strains of the Mountain Muse.

Matthew


12 Jan 11 - 01:40 PM (#3073136)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,John Moulden

Valentina Bold, who is based at University of Glasgow's Crichton Campus in Dundee, works with Phyllis and Billy Martin, two local singers from, I think, Newtownstewart, and may be able to give some pointers; unless you're doing one of her courses.


12 Jan 11 - 05:20 PM (#3073304)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Anne Neilson

Jo Miller -- from the area, and the first leader of the traditional music course at RSAMD -- collected songs from the Glenkens (?) district. She is now resident in Stirling.


13 Jan 11 - 09:02 AM (#3073685)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Chastings

Going to follow up Joseph Train. His name hasn't come up in my research so far! I am speaking with Valentina Bold on Monday, I know she has done a lot of similar research. I have already spoken with Phyllis and Billy, and am hoping to arrange a chat with Jo Miller sometime soon! All very valuable contacts to have.


13 Jan 11 - 09:51 AM (#3073703)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Diva

Off the top of my head ....McMath collection is in Kirkcubright but Valentina will keep you right on that one. There is a collection in the Archives in Dumfries that might be useful..Frank Miller (I think..he was a solicitor in Annan and was very intersted in ballads)


13 Jan 11 - 04:54 PM (#3073926)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Steve Gardham

That's the one I referred to earlier, Frank Miller. Died in 1944.
His contributions on ballads were to the 'Transactions of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society'.

Relevant articles include:
The Ballad of Kinmont Willie Series II, Vol 23, p292
The Blacklock Mss at Annan          II      24   155
Allan Cunningham's Contributions to Cromek's 'Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song' (That one should be fun!)
                                     III    8    40
The MacMath Song and Ballad MS       III    12    88
Old Collection of Songs and Poems    III    16    10
The Mansfield Manuscript, an old Edinburgh Collection of Songs and Ballads                               III    19    54

If anyone has access to any of these I'd be interested to know what they contain.


13 Jan 11 - 05:42 PM (#3073964)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,folkiedave

Allan Cunningham's Contributions to Cromek's 'Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song'

They have a copy of that in Stranraer library (reference).


13 Jan 11 - 06:43 PM (#3074010)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Steve Gardham

Dave,
Do you mean the Miller article or Cromek? I have a copy of Cromek.

When are you coming over? I owe you, remember, and neither of our memories are that good!


19 Jan 11 - 12:08 PM (#3077950)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Diva

There is a possibility of a reprint of the Cromek one of my friends from that airt is involved.


20 Jan 11 - 04:33 AM (#3078457)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

V

I don't know if this is releavant but How about the ballad of Sawney Bean.


20 Jan 11 - 04:37 AM (#3078459)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

this has the words of the song "The Ballad of Sawney Bean" http://everything2.com/title/The+Ballad+of+Sawney+Bean


04 Feb 11 - 09:57 AM (#3088557)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Chastings

So my dissertation has evolved! Although I am still going to use much of the research I have already done, I am going to focus more specifically on Dumfries Folksong Club. Does anyone have any info or personal experiences that would be useful? Thanks for your help.

Claire


19 Sep 11 - 01:52 PM (#3225644)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim b

Hi- what about the two CDs recorded in Glentrool THIS YEAR of Galloway songs collected over the years by Phyllis Martin of Garlieston?


19 Sep 11 - 05:07 PM (#3225758)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Dave the Gnome

Out of interest I went to see the Burns Unit earlier this year - Brilliant Band. Got together at a songwriting workshop in Dumfries and Galloway - May be worth asking them?
Dtg


19 Sep 11 - 07:35 PM (#3225819)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Commander Crabbe

It may also be worth asking Emily Smith as she is from the area as well.

Emily Smith

Chris


19 Sep 11 - 10:12 PM (#3225881)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Tattie Bogle

I was also going to mention Phyllis Martin she did a great presentation on the songs of Dumfries and Galloway a year or 2 ago at the Fifesing weekend in Collessie.


19 Sep 11 - 11:35 PM (#3225908)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,julia L

Phyllis and Billy Martin are an essential resource for anyone interested in Dumfries and Galloway music. Susie Kelly is also an amazing well of knowledge. The Dumfries and Galloway Arts Council have sponsored a number of traditional music projects that might be helpful as well, including "Sang o' the Solway" which incorporated traditional music, poetry and original music.

Good Luck! Julia Lane


20 Sep 11 - 03:35 AM (#3225947)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,Folkiedave

Didn't Willie Scott make his first 'public' appearance at Dumfries?


06 Dec 12 - 05:58 PM (#3448276)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

probably too late for your study, Chastings, but do you know that over the past five years there have been traditional music concerts at the tiny, remote Swallow Theatre, near Whithorn, south of Newton Stewart featuring Adam McNaughtan
                  Sheena Wellington
                  Hamish Moore
                  Sheena Wellington
                  Heather Heywood
                  Len Graham and Mick Quinn
                  Louis Killen
                  Johnny Handle & Chris Hendry
                  John Connolly
                  Hughie Jones
                  Sheila Stewart and Jess Smith
                  Margaret Bennett
                  Scott Gardiner, Steve Byrne & Carol Anderson
                  Joe Aitken and Geordie Murison...

to name a few, but for all the useless and happily defunct DGAA did or even knew about it, they might as well have been in China... they got £5000 Leader grant to promote traditional music in the area's pubs, and gave it to a Country Music festival in Creetown- also defunct- what a lot of money-wasting plonkers


15 Sep 13 - 02:38 PM (#3559118)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

Maggie Gibson of Craigmath, Dalbeattie has a grand version of the ballad of 'Sawney Bean'- the cannibal- she'll probably be at Tenterden festival in a couple of weeks- she lives nearby these days...


21 Dec 14 - 12:47 PM (#3687591)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

There is some amazing stuff on www.tobarandualchais.co.uk where you can key in a county & hear traditional songs, music and chat from source singers. there is plenty from Galloway


21 Dec 14 - 07:24 PM (#3687655)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Jack Campin

MacMath's manuscripts were on microfilm at the University of Edinburgh when I needed to look at them a few years ago.


22 Dec 14 - 03:35 PM (#3687859)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Steve Gardham

Time they were available on the net then!


31 Dec 18 - 04:43 PM (#3969147)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

I'm now back in Galloway after some happy years in Leitrim & Fermanagh.
Andrew Wilson of Beltie Books & Café in Wigtown is keen on the traditional culture of the region, and is promoting a monthly session of songs, tunes poems & stories on the last Friday of each month from 7-9pm.
The next one falls on Burns Night 25 January 2019- no charge- all welcome to listen or contribute. Jim


02 May 19 - 03:59 PM (#3990408)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

and continuing 7-9 pm on the last Saturday each month- May 31 next one- all welcome to contribute....


03 May 19 - 05:16 AM (#3990495)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Dave the Gnome

I have a friend up in that area that may be interested but I cannot find details on t'initerweb! Any links to these events?


03 May 19 - 12:46 PM (#3990597)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

No nothing on the web- word of mouth-bit old fashioned, isn't it?
             7pm till 9, every LAST friday in BELTIE books & cafe, WIGTOWN


03 May 19 - 02:51 PM (#3990627)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Dave the Gnome

Thanks Guest - That'll do :-)


03 May 19 - 03:02 PM (#3990632)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Dave the Gnome

Oh, apart from the first post says the last Saturday and the next says the last Friday :-( Seeing as the first post also says May 31, which is a Friday, I presume it is Fridays? Can you confirm please?


05 May 19 - 03:20 PM (#3990932)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

Yes, 'guest' got it wrong- post of 3 May has it right- FRIDAY 31 May


05 May 19 - 03:46 PM (#3990936)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Dave the Gnome

Thanks Jim.


05 May 19 - 07:16 PM (#3990971)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,Gallus Moll

Probably too late for original poster - and perhaps not quite the correct area? But Jo Miller did a fair amount of collecting and researching of both traditional and contemporary songs composed in and about the local area
around St Johns Town of Dalry.


03 Nov 19 - 12:13 PM (#4017011)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

The short 7-9pm song/music session still happens in the Beltie Books cafe in Wigtown every last Friday of the month- Nov 29 is the next one & yes there will be a meeting on Dec 27th- no entry charge.

The November 29 session is followed on the St Andrews Day by a concert by Border piper Matt Seattle to be held in the Wigtown County Buildings, across the road from the Beltie bookshop/cafe- £5 - info on the Beltie FB site.....


04 Dec 19 - 11:59 AM (#4022237)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

nice session in Beltie Books last Friday- songs, poetry (a great tribute to Clive James by David Sumner)- an excellent harpist, Matt Seattle on Border pipes & plenty of songs....
next one is as usual on the last Friday of the month, 27 December, from 7pm to 9... no Christmas Carols


27 Dec 19 - 09:25 AM (#4025092)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

refresh


28 Jan 20 - 05:31 AM (#4030719)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

Monthly last Friday session in Beltie Books, Wigtown will not happen this Friday 31st- bit of BURN(S)out- geddit?

Back as usual on Feb 28- I'll remind you!!


26 Feb 20 - 01:06 PM (#4036292)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

Here I am, reminding you- 7pm to 9 in Beltie Books, Wigtown on Friday 28 Feb- singers & musicians & joke tellers welcome!


28 Feb 20 - 08:47 AM (#4036559)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

it's tonight      Jim


08 Jul 22 - 09:25 AM (#4146719)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

Beltie session killed off by Covid


22 Jan 23 - 11:34 AM (#4163186)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

Beltie books under new ownership - probably won't pick up again- people move on....


22 Jan 23 - 02:03 PM (#4163206)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Reinhard

Gallus Moll wrote on 05 May 19:
Probably too late for original poster ...

Yes, by then Claire Hastings was an honours graduate of the Scottish Music degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and she is an excellent Scottish folksinger, songwriter and ukulele player with a few beautiful albums under her belt.


23 Jan 23 - 02:08 AM (#4163244)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Joe Offer

I'll agree with that, Reinard. Claire Hastings performed for us on our trip to ethe Scottish Borders. She is a wonderful performer. Emily Smith performed for us another night - I believe the two are friends. And we got to hear Archie Fisher on the last night of our tour.


10 Jun 23 - 04:34 PM (#4174300)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

informal session at the Isle tearooms, Isle of Whithorn- it has a bar!! on the third Sunday of the month- open enough but maybe not for hardline traddies


15 Jun 23 - 07:30 PM (#4174661)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: Tattie Bogle

Worth mentioning that Jo Miller has just this month released an album called “A’ the way to Galloway”, which you can find on her Bandcamp site: www.jomiller.bandcamp.com
It can be bought for £7 as a digital download, or as a physical CD for £12. She has several excellent musicians backing her.
She was also guest at the recent Girvan Folk Festival where she sang with Robyn Stapleton, who is also from that SW corner of Scotland, and at the annual FifeSing last month, where she appeared along with her son, another great singer and musician.


02 Mar 24 - 06:14 AM (#4198375)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge

The Jones family of Newton Stewart have been keeping the music alive in the town for many years. Some years ago, the RBS bank in the town closed and the building is now thriving as THE VAULT ART CENTRE, run by the Jones family.
   Lots of rock music, but also regular tune sessions, bluegrass as well as fiddle lessons etc.
   Starting last month, there is also an unamplified singing session there, on the first Sunday from 2-5 pm- ie tomorrow is the next one- with a break for chat & maybe a tune or two.
   A friendly venue, with local ales on hand- all welcome!


06 Nov 24 - 12:58 PM (#4211135)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Dumfries & Galloway: Traditional song
From: GUEST

it still happens- every first Sunday. about 2pm - next one December 1st