Monday, March 7, 2011

An Epigram and The Corries

For this new novel (you might want to see the first chapter in my previous post) I want to include as an epigram the first few lines of a song that many Scots consider their national anthem, Flower of Scotland. Naturally, I contacted the copyright holder, The Corries, in order to ask permission. The author, the great Roy Williamson, died tragically early of cancer. I have exchanged emails with Ronny Browne's son. Mr. Browne is the other member of this Scottish folk music duo.

For some reason someone has been hijacking emails between the US and Scotland. (That's a joke. They've just been going mysteriously astray) so I haven't quite managed to receive an answer on this topic. I hope Mr. Browne gives his permission, but only time will tell.

I might mention that I am a very long-time fan of The Corries so I thought I'd post a link to one of their songs on Youtube and hope Ronny Browne doesn't mind. I will also post a link to the website for The Corries where you can purchase most of their music. It is some of the best folk-style music ever done, in my opinion.

Here are The Corries singing Robbie Burn's Ae Fond Kiss. This happens to be my favorite version of this classic Burns piece. You can find information on The Corries and their music HERE.

There are always complications in finishing a novel. This is one of them.

All right. One more because I can't resist sharing. The Corries singing Leezie Lindsay.

Hope you enjoy and go buy some of their music.

4 comments:

Conan the Librarian™ said...

I had all of it as a teenager Jeanne.
Strangely enough, it was a French student teacher who first got me into the Corries.
They had just released "That song" as a 45.
She came into class with a record player and two records; "There'll always be an England"
and "Flower of Scotland", and lit the blue touch paper...

J. R. Tomlin said...

Great story, Conan.

I still have some of their music on my iPod. Their version of Dumbarton Drums is my favorite of that particular song. But I have pretty diverse tastes in music, and listen to everything from Beethoven to Paolo Nutini.

Jenny said...

Jeanne, I LOVE The Corries!! I hope he does get in touch with you. I've got my fingers crossed for you!!

J. R. Tomlin said...

Thanks, Jenny. Me too, obviously.

It was a little weird. I emailed Ronny Browne's son who passed the email along to his father. When I followed up, Gavin said his father had emailed me but it was nowhere in my system. So, of course, I have no idea what he said. Hopefully, when he emails me again this one doesn't get eaten by the ether.