We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Fields of Renfrewshire

from The Road Across the Hills by Gráinne Brady

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Hard copy of 'The Road Across the Hills' with stunning artwork by Somhairle MacDonald

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Road Across the Hills via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      £10 GBP or more 

     

about

The Toil/Gourock Ellen

Life for the tattie howkers was miserable. The labour itself involved the men digging up potatoes with the women following behind, crawling on their knees dragging two baskets apiece into which the potatoes were lifted. After a hard day of work, they could only retreat into miserable accommodation – usually a hastily converted cattle byre.
In amongst the Irish labourers were two Scottish women, one of whom was Gourock Ellen, “the woman who was not ashamed”. She was loose lipped and done what she pleased, though was evidently a kind person. In typical catholic fashion, Dermod hated her, without even knowing why.

lyrics

The cold grub eaten in the dawn,
The wet shag smouldering as you smoke,
For ever being down and broke,
You learn to like it – later on.

You learn to like it – for you must,
Though hardly worth the pains you take,
Or yet the sacrifice you make –
The barter for the vital crust.

Of things abstruse I cannot sing
In fitting strains, so let me say,
From hand to mouth, from day to day
Is not the right and proper thing.

credits

from The Road Across the Hills, released February 22, 2019
Music composed by Gráinne Brady with 'A Navvy's Philosophy' by Patrick MacGill

Gráinne Brady – fiddle
Andrew Waite – piano accordion
Innes White – guitar
Steve Forman – percussion

Jack Houston – spoken word

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Gráinne Brady Glasgow, UK

Irish musician and composer based in Glasgow.

www.patreon.com/GrainneBrady

"...engaging from the outset" - Folk Radio UK

contact / help

Contact Gráinne Brady

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Gráinne Brady, you may also like: