Poems & Lyrics (in the Scotch dialect) (1856)

Songs of alcohol, death, the devil, rebellion, kinship, and love gone awry, from 19th century Scotland:

an adaptation of the book, “Poems and Lyrics (in the English and Scotch dialects)“ by John Collie, of Boyndie (1834-1893),

with music by his descendants, between 2018-2025 in New Zealand and France.

Listen

“Songs from the harp and lyre – a fantastic flow back from the ancient days” – Dr Emit Snake-Beings

“I have been lucky enough to hear some of Dave Edwards work on this at a couple of shows – very cool concept project and worth a listen” – James Trotman

Background

“And with a trembling hand I launch my tiny vessel into the troubled ocean of literature , where many a noble craft has been shattered to pieces…”

I’m delighted (and exhausted) to have finished recording the ‘Scotch’ half of this musical adaptation of the book by my Scottish ancestor. This is a major work, that’s been in progress for seven years now (not fulltime)!

Ironically, I’ve never been to Scotland – so have had to use imagination. The opposite side of the world is very far, and too expensive for me to visit from New Zealand currently.

But Scottish is the largest share (38%) of my pre-NZ ancestry, from both sides of my family. Some of John Collie’s other descendants Céleste Rochery, Megan Rochery Edwards, Hans Landon-Lane (aka Clever Hansel) and Rhys Landon-Lane, also appear on the album (kia ora whanau!).

John Collie emigrated here in 1858, and spent his later years in the Wellington region – where I was born, over a century later.

This project provides a deeper context for the acoustic side of fiffdimension music, and my life. It’s been a great challenge – learning to orchestrate arrangements, and even play ‘straight’ when required. Some of the pieces are set to traditional Celtic tunes, others follow simple made-up chord progressions. The album uses a palette of mainly acoustic guitars, bass and banjo.

There’s some brilliant use of language – archaic, but witty and beautiful – so I’ve tried to showcase (rather than overshadow) the words. Fans of wordy acoustic songs in general, and Robert Burns in particular, should hopefully enjoy it.

“There’s a set o ‘ bright callant’s ca’ed bards , Wha hae cost me mony a crown ; And yet I aye reap my rewards , When wi ‘ ane o ‘ the craft I sit down .

For they are the lads wha can crack ‘ Bout the kirk , the State , and the nation ; And e’en though I say’t , ‘ tis a fact , They can point out the way to Salvation .

Though they had nae a saxpence but ane , Without e’er a grumble they’d spend it ; And to ease the distress o ‘ a frien ‘ , The coat aff their back they would lend it .

Yet in duty I’m bound to admit , That their follies are mair than they should be ; But then , their bright flashes o’wit Mak their follies thought less o ‘ than would be .

Then farewell , ye Knights o ‘ Parnassus , For a time I your haunts maun forsake , To dwell amang dunces and asses , Wha scarce can a joke gie nor take .”

– John Collie, ‘by my faith sirs, this canna lang dee”

Tracklist

1.	Céleste Rochery – My Native Land 01:56
2.	The Blast of a Wintry Day (live at Wairarapa TV, 2019) 03:44
3.	(w/ Hans Landon-Lane) – Here’s a Health to My Cronies 02:46
4.	(w/ Hans & Rhys Landon-Lane) – By my faith sirs, this canna lang dee 04:04
5.	I Met Four Chiels 02:45
6.	Auld Satan when ye first gae through 02:02
7.	Heard ye e’er o’ Donald Ben? 03:17
8.	Megan Edwards – Epitaph on a Pedlar, Celebrated for his Swiftness 00:23
9.	Lines written on Mr James Blain’s (photographer) visit to Coldstream 03:07
10.	Death 04:04
11.	The Kiss o’ a Loun 03:28
12.	Megan Edwards – Young Johnnie o’ the Birken Shaw 01:02
13.	Did ye ken sportin’ Jeanie? 03:14
14.	Epistle to Mr John Syme, Rafford 04:23
15.	Epigram on a Country Laird 00:13
16.	Scotland’s Grievances 08:27
17.	The Thistle 03:05
18.	Lines written on receiving an anonymous letter from a young lady 02:03
19.	Oh! Gin I were a Scented Flower 01:49
20.	Come awa wi’ me Lassie 03:30
21.	Megan Edwards – What De’il’s the matter with ye Meg? 01:49
22.	The Thing’s Baith Clear and Plain 03:37
23.	The Callant o’ Rafford 06:37
24.	The Coggie 03:48

Further listening

Poems & Lyrics (in the English Dialect) (1856)

John Collie wrote in both English and Scots; his ‘English’ poems have a ‘grander’ scope, with themes of nature, the seasons, youth and old age, bereavement, emigration, and the poets of antiquity. The album is a little more musically eclectic, and features guest appearances by Antony Milton and Dr Emit Snake-Beings.

(But the Scots half alone is a big milestone, and I hope a gude album in its own right. Please enjoy both!)

Live 2022-204

In recent years I’ve included a couple of John Collie pieces in my live sets. Live 2022-24 includes electric guitar reworkings of I Met Four Chiels and Auld Satan When Ye First Gae Through, recorded live in Sydney, Australia.

Live 2019

The Wairarapa TV live acoustic set in 2019 featured a mini-set of three of John Collie’s poems.

Acoustic (yin) 1998-2023

An introduction to my original acoustic songs and spoken word. Most of it was written and self-published before I discovered I was following in my ancestor’s footsteps.