LYRICS AND TUNES

Ship in a Bottle (Findlay Napier/Nick Turner, on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

We sat in his living room staring at the fire
And watched as sparks leapt from the grate and the flames rose higher
It was hard for me to tell him it was time for me to leave
He said I didn't go see the world I thought it would come to me

Pointing to the mantelpiece he said take that if you wish
A dirty whisky jar that contained a wooden ship
Your grandfather drained that bottle and I put it too good use
Now it ties me to yesterdays I'd be better off to lose

CHORUS:
No use fighting when the wind's against the tide
Ship your oars stow your nets just enjoy the ride
Of your life
Or throw yourself on the mercy of the sea
Whatever you do son don't waste your time like me

He built it back in 33 a young boy at the time
Back then its matchstick masts appeared to tower above the Clyde
Leaving school real ships he built carried men and goods afar
America and India and in the 40's to the war

His country didn't want him as his mates fell through war torn skies
The rest they joined the convoys, still, he was to young to die
Now he can't even find his glasses his hands shake too much he knows
To break the bottle for himself and let the memories go

Sitting on the mantelpiece the bottle's gathered dust
While shipyards closed there gates were locked the chains begin to rust
He was tied down to his memories forever in their debt
But I'll sail for clear blue waters and a life with no regrets

<back to top>

Glenlogie (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

There were nine and nine nobles , Rode through Banchory Fair
And bonny Glenlogie, Was the flooer o' a' there

There was nine and nine nobles, Sat at the Kings dine
And bonny Glenlogie, Was the floor o twice nine

Doon cam Jeannie Gordon, She cam trippin doon the stair
An' she's chooses Glenlogie, Ooot o' a' that wis there

She ca'd on his footpage, That ran by his side
O' wha is this young man, And whaur dis he bide

He's styllt Glenlogie, When he is at hame
He is o the noble Gordons, Lord John is his name

Glenlogie, Glenlogie, Gin ye will proove kind
My love is laid upon ye, Noo I've tellt ye my mind

The Gordon turned lightly, As the Gordons does a'
I thank ye Jeannie Gordon, But I'm promised awa

She called on her maidens, Tae mak up her bed
Wi ribbons and napkins, Tae tie up her head

Oh lay me doon gently, Pit my face tae the wa
Take the rings from my fingers, My Jewels and a

But her faithers ain chaplin, Bein' a man o great skill
Weel he wrote a braid letter, And indited it weel

Glenlogie Glenlogie, When ye are at hame
This ladies love is upon ye, Must she die in her prime

When Glenlogie got the letter, He was amang men
And it's oot spak Glenlogie, What does this woman mean

Gae saddle me the Black horse, Gae saddle me the broon
Bonnie Jean o Bethelnie, Will be deid ere I win

Oh pale an wan wis she, When Logie cam in
But reed and rosy grew she ,When she kent it wis him

Turn roon Jeannie Gordon, Turn tae yer richt side
For it's I'll be yer bridegroom, And ye be my bride

Noo Jeannie got marriet, An her tochers doon told
Bonnie Jean o Bethelnie, Scarce sixteen years old

Bethelnie Bethelnie, Ye shine whar ye stand
May the heather bells roon ye, Shine over this land.

<back to top>

The Mill Mill O To the tune Mill of Ness (Arr. Robert Burns, on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

As I cam in yon water side
And by yon shillin' hill o
It's there I spied a bonny young lass
A lass I loed richt weel o

CHORUS:
The mill mill o and the kill kill o
And the coggin o peggy's wheel o
The seck and the seeve a' she did leave
An danced the millers reel o

I spiered at her gin she could play
But the lassie had nae skill o
An yet she was'na a' tae blame
She pat it in my will o

Then she fell o'er an sae did I
An' danced the millers reel o
When'er that bonny lassie comes again
She'll hae her ma't grund weel o

<back to top>

Nine Stone Rig (Linda Thompson, on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

They shot him dead at the nine stone rig beside the headless cross
And they left him lying in his blood upon the moor and the moss
They buried him at midnight and the dew fell cold and still
And the women in grey for god to pray and the mist clung to the hill

Oh gentle wind thats blowing south from where my love repairs
Convey a kiss from his dear mouth and tell me how he fairs
The word was carried back to me as if by Gods command
Your sweetheart was murdered yesterday by your brothers jealous hand

No living man I'll love again since my darling went through deaths door
With one lock of his yellow hair I'll chain my heart forever more
Oh mother dear please make my bed and lay me down in sorrow
My love he died for me last night I'll die for him tomorrow

They shot him dead at the nine stone rig beside the headless cross
And they left him lying in his blood upon the moor and the moss
They buried him at midnight and the dew fell cold and still
And the women in grey for god to pray and the mist clung to the hill

<back to top>

The Final Trawl (Archie Fisher, on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

Now its three long years since we made her pay
Sing haul away my laddie O

And the owners say that she's had her day
And sing haul away my laddie O

So heave away for the final trawl
Sing haul away my laddie O

Its an easy pull as the catch is small
And sing haul away my laddie O

Then stow your gear lads and batten down
I'll take the wheel and I'll turn her round

We'll join the 'Venture' and the 'Morning Star'
Riding high and empty towards the bar

For I'd rather beach her on the Skerry rock
Than to see her torched in the breakers dock

And when I die you can stow me down
In her rusty hold where the breakers pound

Then I'd make the haven of the Fiddlers Green
Where the grub is good and the bunks are clean

For I've fished a lifetime boy and man
And the final trawl scarcely makes a cran

<back to top>

The Brewer Lad (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

In Perth there lived a bonnie lad, a brewer tae his trade o'
an' he has courted Peggie Roy, a young and handsome maid o'

CHORUS:
wi' a fall dall diddle um a die dum doo, Wi' a fall dall diddle um a die doh

He's courted her for seven lang years a' for tae gain her favour
but there cam a lad oot a' Edinburgh toonwah' swore that he would have her

It's will ye gang alang wi' me an' will ye be ma' honey
It's will ye gang alang wi' me and leave your brewer laddie

O' a' will gang alang wi ye alang wi' ye I'll ride o'
I'll gang wi' ye to the ends o' the earth tho I'm spoke to the Brewer Lad o'

Well the brewer he cam hame at een, a speirin' for his honey
Her faither he made this reply she's no' been here since monday

o' wasna' that an uncoo' ploy wouldna onyone be offended
tae court a lad for seven lang years and leave him at the end o't

oh be it so and let her go, for it shall never greve me
i'm a lad that's free as you can see and a sma' thing will relieve me

there's as guid fish intae the sea, as ever yet was taken
I'll cast ma' net a try again although I am forsaken

She's rambled up she's rambled doon she's rambled through Kirkaldy
But mony's the time she rued the day she Jilt' her Brewer laddie

The brewer he set up in Perth and there he brews stang ale o'
he's courted wi anither lass and tae her tae himsel' o'

ye lovers a' where ere' ye be just let this be a warnin'
never slight your ane true love for fear you get a war' ane'

<back to top>

Here's Tae the Blackwatch (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 2nd album 'Fortune's Road')

Here's tae the black watch the bold kilted lads
That's newly cam hame frae the war
We'll gie them a healthy cheer an' drink a bump o beer
For the boys o the gallant forty twa

Noo I am a sodger an' my name it's Willie Broon
I used tae be a weaver and I lived in Maxwelltoon
But noo I am enlisted an' tae Perth I'm gaun awa
Tae join the gallant regiment the gallant forty twa

The first time I went oot on drill wi a lot o raw recruits
The Sergeant Major checked me for lookin' at me boots
He chapped me on the shoulder an' said jock ye'll gang awa
For ye're sure tae make an awfu' mess o the gallant forty twa

It's when the bugle sounded for the dinner time
I wis first man at the table an first man in the line
The sergeant cam tae take the roll an officer an a
And he pointed oot the billie o the gallant forty twa

It's when I gang on furlough tae Dundee I will gaung
An' I will teach my comrades how tae fire a gun
I'll tak them in an stand a drink an then I'll start tae blaw
Then they'll see I'm corporal in the gallant forty twa

<back to top>

Heilan Laddie (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 2nd album 'Fortune's Road') A.K.A 'The Oldest Shanty'

Now whaur ye bin a the day
Bonnie Laddie, Heilan Laddie
Now whaur ye bin sae lang awa
My Bonnie Heilan laddie

Well I've been seeking fortunes road
Bonnie Lassie, Heilan Lassie
And there's money at the whalin' so I've bin told
My bonnie Heilan Lassie

I sailed for the North on a Dundee whaler
Bonnie Lassie, Heilan Lassie
I sailed for the North as a Whaling Sailor
My Bonnie Heilan Lassie

But Greenland's shores are grey and cold
Bonnie Laddie, Heilan Laddie
There's plenty o' ice but no much gold
My bonnie Heilan Laddie

And when will ye come back again
Bonnie Laddie, Heilan Laddie
You and a' the whaling men
My bonnie Heilan Laddie

Well I'll be glad when I get hame
Bonnie Lassie, Heilan Lassie
An' I'll gie up this whaling game
My bonnie Heilan Lassie

<back to top>

Johnny Cope (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 2nd album 'Fortune's Road')

Cope sent a chaillenge frae Dunbar
Sayin Chairlie meet me an ye daur
An I'll learn ye the airt o' war
If ye gang tae the coals in the morning

When Chairlie viewed the letter upon
He drew his sword his scabbard from
Sayin gang wi me my merry men
And we'll meet Johnny Cope in the morning

Hey Johnny Cope are ye a waukin yet
Or are your drums a beating yet
Gin ye were waukin I wad wait
Tae gang tae the coals in the morning

When Johnny Cope he heard o this
He thocht it wadna be amiss
Tae hae a horse in readiness
Tae flee frae the coals in the morning

Fie noo Johnny get up an rin
The Heilan bagpipes mak their din
Ye're best tae sleep in ye're ain hale skin
It'll be a bloody morning

When Johnny Cope tae Dunbar cam
They spiered at him whaurs a yer men
The deil confound me gin I ken
I left them a in the morning

Fie noo Johnny ye werna blate
Tae come wi news o' yer ain defeat
An leave yer men in sic a strait
Sae early in the morning

Faith quo Johnny I got sic flegs
Frae their Claymore's an their philabegs
If I face them again deil brak my legs
I bid ye's a good morning

<back to top>

Maybe I'll be Married (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 2nd album 'Fortune's Road')

Maybe I'll be married
Maybe nane at a
Maybe I'll be married
Tae the laird of Turnisha
CHORUS: Oh riggy doo, rig rig a daddy, Oh riggy doo rig rig a day

Maybe I'll be married
I'll win hame
Maybe I'll be married
Tae the lad I durna name

He's comin here and he will be here
He's comin here for a that
My bonny lad that'll marry me
And tak me frae ye a yet

Maybe I'll hae hose and shoon
When ye maun a gang barfit
And maybe I'll gang neat and clean
When ye gang wet and drabblit

There's nane o ye been guid tae me
But I'll reward ye a yet
Ye'll maybe need a peck o meal
When I can gie ye twa yet

There's nane o ye been guid tae me
But I'll reward ye a yet
Ye'll maybe sit in ma cot neuk
When I sit in ma ha yet.

<back to top>

Laddie's Bedside (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 2nd album 'Fortune's Road')

O it's I am awa tae my laddies bedside
Oh I am awa for tae be my laddies guide
Oh I am awa tae my laddies bedside
Though my faither and mither they'll be angry

Oh at my bedside my lassie ye'll no sit
Oh at my bedside my lassie ye'll no sit
For it's I hae found a guide and a far better fit
So awa lassie wha cares for ye

Well ye micht hae courted yin my love ye micht hae courted seven
Ye micht hae courted eight nine, ten and eleven
Ye can go and court anither that'll mak up the dozen
But be kind tae yer auld love for a that

Oh come back my bonnie lassie dinna gang awa
Oh come back my bonnie lassie dinna gang awa
Oh come back my bonnie lassie dinna gang awa
I was only in a jest for tae try ye

Well if ye were in a jest my laddie, I wis nane
So lang, lang my bonnie laddie may ye lie yer lane
Oh lang, lang my bonnie laddie may ye lie yer lane
And think upon the bonnie lass that looed ye

For the trees they are high my love the leaves they are green
The years are passing by my love that you and I hae seen,
Through the lang winters nicht when ye hae tae lie yer lane
Ach ye'll weary lang afore I come and see you

<back to top>

The Baron of Brackley (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 2nd album 'Fortune's Road')

Doon deeside cam Inverae a whistlin' an playin
An he was at Brackley's yetts ere the day was dawin
Oh are you there Brackley and are you within
Oor shairp swords are at yer yetts we'll gaur yer blood spin

Rise up Betsy Gordon an gie me my gun
For though I gang oot love sure I'll never come in
Come kiss me my Betsy nor think I'm to blame
For though I hae ae man I'm sure they hae ten

When Brackley was mounted and rade on his horse
A Bonnier Baron ne'er rade o'er a course
Twa gallanter Gordons did never swords draw
But against three and thirty fa's me whit is twa

Wi their dirks and their broadswords they did him surron
And they killed Bonnie Brackley wi mony's a woun
Frae the heid o' the Dee tae the banks o the Spey
The Gordon's shall mourn him and ban Inverae

Oh cam ye by Brackley's yetts or cam ye by here
And saw ye his lady a rivin her hair
Oh I cam by Brackley's yetts and I cam by here
And I saw his fair lady she wis makin guid cheer

She was rantin and dancing an singing wi joy
An vowin that verra nicht she would feast Inverae
She's laughed wi him danced wi him welcomed him in
She ws kind tae the murderer wha had slain her guid man

Through hedges an ditches ye canna be sure
But through the woods at Glentor ye can slip in an hour
An it's up spak the bairn sitting on his mithers knee
Sayin afore I'm a man it's avenged I'll be

<back to top>

The Greenland Whale Fisheries (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on our 1st album 'Gillian Frame and Back of the Moon')

Greenland is a hell of a place
It's a place that's seldom green
Where there's ice and snow, and the Whale fishes blow
And the daylight's seldom seen brave boys
And the daylight's seldom seen

In eighteen hundred seen and sixty three
On June the thirteenth day
Our gallant ship her anchor weighed
And for Greenland sailed away brave boys
For Greenland sailed away

Our Captain he stood on the quarter deck
With a spy glass in his hand
There's a whale, there's a whale, there's a bloody great whale
And she blows on every span brave boys
And she blows on every span

We hit that whale and the line paid out
But she made a flunder with her tail
And the boat capsized and ten men were drowned
And we ne'er did catch that whale brave boys
And we ne'er did catch that whale

The loosing of those ten brave men
It grieves my heart full sore
But the loosing of that bloody great whale
It grieves me ten times more brave boys
It grieves me ten times more

When the ship is moored and safe secured
And all tied up on shore
We'll all raise a glass take a bonny willing lass
And make this ale hoose roar Brave boys
And Make this ale hoose roar

<back to top>

The Rolling Hills o' the Borders (Matt McGinn, on 1st album 'Gillian Frame and Back of the Moon')

I've travelled far and I've wandered wide
I've seen the Hudson and the Clyde
I've courted by loch Loch Lomand side
But I dearly love the borders

CHORUS:
When I die bury me low
Where I can hear the bonnie Tweed flow
A sweeter place I'll never know
Than the rolling hills of the borders

Well do I hae mind the day
Wae my lass I strolled by the Tay
But all it's beauty fades away
Among the hills o the Borders

There's a certain place o' mind
Bonnie lassies there you'll find
And men sae sturdy yet sae kind
Amang the hills o' the borders

<back to top>

The Sands o' the Shore (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on 1st album 'Gillian Frame and Back of the Moon')

I aince had a sweetheart but noo I hae nane
He stole awa ma hairt but I got it back again
I got it back again and sae let it be
For I care nae mair for him than the waves o the sea

CHORUS:
The sands o the shore and the waves o the sea
When his back is turned he's a stranger tae me
He's a stranger tae me aye and sae let it be
For I care nae mair for him than the waves o the sea

He brocht tae me a praisent o a braw diamond ring
He thocht it wid entice me tae gang awa wi him
But I wasnae as foolish as he's taen me tae be
An' I care nae mair for him than the waves o the sea

He is the son o a high lord and king
But I am just the dochter o a pair working-man
So it he's drink his wine an' I'll drink my tea
And I care nae mair for him than the waves o the sea

<back to top>

Gin I Were a Baron's Heir (trad arr. Back of the Moon, on 1st album 'Gillian Frame and Back of the Moon')

Oh gin I were a Baron's heir
And could I braid wi gems your hair
And mak ye braw as ye are fair
Lassie wad ye lou me
And I wad tak ye tae the toon
And shaw ye braw sichts mony's an ane
And busk ye wi a silken goon
Lassie wad ye lou me

And e'er the laverock wings the sky
Sae wad ye tae the forest high
And wark wi me sae merrily
Lassie wad ye loe me
And would ye be content to prove
In lowly life unfading love
A heart that nocht on earth could move
Lassie wad ye lou me

And ere the braw moon glistens oe'r
Oor wee bit beild an' heathry moor
Will ye no greet that we're sae poor
Lassie wad ye lou me
And I hae nocht tae offer ye
nae gowd frae mine nae pearl frae sea
Nor am I cam o' high degree
Lassie but I lou ye

<back to top>

(on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

<back to top>


(on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

<back to top>

(on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

<back to top>

(on our 3rd album 'Luminosity')

<back to top>