Hans Landon-Lane

Hans Landon-Lane plays accordion, ukulele and vocals on Poems & Lyrics by John Collie (1856) — a long-running fiffdimension project, adapting the 19th century Scottish poetry of John Middleton Collie (1834–1893), into contemporary music.

Hans is Collie’s great-great-great-grandson, and a nephew of Dave Edwards.  The project has involved several of Collie’s descendants in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Hans Landon-Lane plays accordion, ukulele and vocal on

Sonnet on Summer

“The sweet breath of summer blows fresh o’er each plain

The woods have resumed their lost grandeur again

The grove with the notes of the blackbirds are singing

By fountain and stream the wild flowers are springing […]”

The Land of My Youth

“I sing of the land where in youth I have rambled

I sing of her heroes who long long are gone

And I sing of her steep crags where oft I have scrambled

When dull pining cares to me were unknown […]”

Here’s a Health to my Cronies’

Here’s a health to my cronies where e’er they reside,

whether this side or that o’ yon big rowing tide

I care na what country or kingdom they claim, be they English or Irish to me it’s the same

Gif their hearts to a glass o’ gude whisky incline, I instantly class them as cronies o’ mine […]”

By my faith sirs, this canna lang dee

(with his brother Rhys Landon-Lane on guitar):

“Now , Landlord , ye’ll just bring ae bottle ,

Ae bottle an ‘ I’ll be content ;

And to – morrow I’ll join the teetottle ,

And in sackcloth and ashes repent .”

The Mother to her Son:

(Hans solo):

“What aileth thee , my darling boy , Why starts the big tear in thine eye ?

It wounds this bleeding breast of mine , To hear thy father’s orphan cry .

What can it be that o’er thee hangs , And wraps thy youthful soul in gloom ? […]”

Nature

“Then come , ye revellers , come to Nature’s shrine , All ye who sport in taverns and at balls

Tis Wisdom’s summons , ‘ tis a voice divine , In cheerful accents , who ever on you calls ;

Each opening bud contains for thee a balm , To soothe thy sorrows , and thy soul to calm” .

Read the full story of John Collie, his 1856 book, the family connection, and the making of the album here: [Poems & Lyrics by John Collie (1856)].

Further listening

Hans also performs his original cabaret music under the name Clever Hansel:

5 thoughts on “Hans Landon-Lane

Leave a comment