Tag Archives: The Corries

Matt McGinn Live in East Kilbride, February 1975
7
Feb

Here we are with a little gem here from the legendary Matt McGinn. This is a live set where the Glaswegian Singer n Songwriter sings a set at The Bonnie Prince Charlie Bar in East Kilbride in February of 1975. A great mix of songs and patter. Hope you enjoy!

Matt McGinn Live in East Kilbride, 1975

Tracks;

  1. Granda
  2. The Cradle of Civilisation
  3. Cider Wi’ Yer Maw,
  4. Ma Darlin’ Is a Charlie
  5. My Dearest My Darling
  6. My Wee Auntie Sarah
  7. Crofter Story
  8. Suzie
  9. Screwtops..including Leaving In a Police Van and Amazing Grace
  10. Gaelic Joke
  11. Heiderum Hauderum
  12. Come back to Sorrento
  13. Maggie Might
  14. Glaswegians Would
  15. Two Wee Germs
  16. Somebody’s Wean
  17. The Schmitt Family
  18. Nelly May

The Legend who was Matt McGinn

Matt McGinn was born in just off the Gallowgate in the Colton area of Glasgow in January, 1928. Born into a family of Nine, McGinn grew up in the are which was rich in Irish culture. This where he hoovered up many of the tunes often chanted with a mixture of colourful sectarian overtones and made them his own.

Although he was never to play a musical Instrument, and in some opinions, couldn’t sing either, McGinn wrote some amazing lyrics which he put with these tunes. His lyrics addressed social and political issues, yet he had a skill of being able to make them comedy, child friendly songs.

The Politician

McGinn was expelled from Primary school and sent to approved school as a child. However, this was no reflection on his intelligence. At age 31, he obtained a Trade Union Scholarship to the Ruskin College in Oxford. Here he saw how society really worked. After a brief period as a school teacher, his beleifs were solidified and McGinn returned to Glasgow, vowing never to work again. However, Matt was a an enthusiastic campaigner for local social and housing issues and helped establish the Gorbals Adventure Playground.

In 1962, Matt won a song writing competition with his song ‘The Foreman O’Rourke’ which earned him a place at the Carnegie Hall. Here he met a young Bob Dylan and the American Folk Singer and Songwriter Pete Seeger whom he would forge a lasting Friendship with. Matt McGinn was a member of the Communist Party of great Britain and was a committed Socialist, trade unionist and a keen observer of nature which reflected in his songs.

Being a father himself, he was great at writing children’s songs too. He was really good fusing these components together to make songs that can be understood by all ages with an appreciative meaning as one grows older. However, in the 1960’s Britain and America were still in the height of the Cold War and while McGinn was a big name in the Folk Revival scene, he was limited in his publicised and very few TV appearances of Matt McGinn in his life and one from his early era.

The Entertainer

As the 1970’s came along, the songs McGinn sang had started to become less of a threat to the status Quo and the singer had also adopted a more humorous approach to his material. This live show here is a prime example of Matt McGinn the entertainer. It was recorded in the singers latter years. But it has no shortage of humorous jokes and the craic which Matt was always good at. In fact, he was often considered the Mentor of his banjo Player Billy Connolly who would later go on to become a world famous Stand Up comedian.

Sadly Matt McGinn passed away in 1978. Unfortunately his home in Govan hill in Glasgow’s South Side suffered a fire when matt came home drunk one night and fell asleep in bed with a cigarette. He died in the fire and was pronounced dead by smoke inhalation at age 50.

The Legacy

Matt McGinn’s works are still very much celebrated and many musicians and songwriters including myself can say that McGinn was a big Influence on them. McGinn’s songs are still performed by folk musicians on both sides of the Atlantic. In Scotland and in America at tribute concerts. His songs have been recorded by Pete Seeger, The Weavers, Theodore Bikel, The Corries, Luke Kelly, The Chinese Man, The Ian Campbell Folk Group, Barry Dransfield & Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, among others.

What do you reckon?

Well then. What did you think of that? Did you enjoy it? Or didnt you like it? Whatever your thoughts and opinions are on the show, we’d love to hear them in the comments below. Here at The Collective Jukebox, we just love to chat about music and always keen to read what others have to say about the music we share.


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The Massacre of Glen Coe by The Corries
22
Jan

Here’s a little song about Benefit sanctions in the Seventeenth century. Performed by The Corries, The Massacre of Glen Coe tells the story of the 1689 massacre of the McDonald Clan at Glencoe at the hand of John Campbell, the Duke of Argyll.

The Massacre of Glen Coe by The Corries

This song is about the massacre of the Scottish Clan McDonald, the One time Lords of the Isles.

Lyrics;

Oh cruel is the snow that sweeps Glencoe
That covers the grave o’ Donald
And cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe
And murdered the house o’ MacDonald
(chorus)

They came through the blizzard, we offered them heat
A roof o’er their heads, dry shoes for their feet
We wined them and dined them, they ate o’ our meat
And slept in the house O’ MacDonald

(chorus)

They came from Fort William with murder mind
The Campbell had orders, King William had signed
Pit all tae the sword, these words underlined
And leave none alive called MacDonald

(chorus)

They came in the night when the men were asleep
That band of Argyles, through snow soft and deep.
Like murdering foxes, among helpless sheep
They slaughtered the house o’ MacDonald

(chorus)

Some died in their beds at the hands of the foe
Or fled in the night and were lost in the snow.
Some lived to accuse him, what struck the first blow
But gone was the house of MacDonald

Who were The Corries?

The Corries were a folk duo made up of singer-songwriters Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne. Originally formed as The Corrie Folk Trio with Bill Graham, the group eventually whittled down to just the pair of them by 1966. The duo released many successful studio albums and played many live shows in the 24 years they were together. The groups demise sadly came in 1990 with the passing of Roy Williamson who lost his battle with Cancer.

Did You Like That One?

So what did you think of that then? We’d love to read your thoughts and opinions on the video in the comments below. Here at The Collective Jukebox, we are fond music lovers and just love to hear what others have to say about the music we share here.

In fact, why not join us if you love discovering New Music and sharing your favourite tunes with us all?

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The Bloody Sarks by The Corries
17
Jan

Here’s a little song by the legendary Scottish Folk Duo The Corries. In this video, they perform ‘The Bloody Sarks’ on live TV. This was the opening track from their 1981 album Stovies.

The Bloody Sarks by The Corries




The Bloody Sarks Lyrics;

The young McGregor o Glen Strae wi eighty o his men
Upon the Argyll sleekit word pit Finla’s glen a flame
The burning theiving hieland rant drove a the beast awa
And left ahint twa dirkit men to perish in the snaw

By Fallisdall the letter come frae black Dumbarton toon
To show the way they were tae bring McGregor doon
The bloody sarks o butchered men tae Jamie’s court maun gae
The widow women for to show and tell of the afray

Colquhoun o Luss could thole nae mair wi trampeled savaged pride
Buchanan levies mounted up to tan McGregor hide
From Leven’s vale, Dumbarton toon and all these lowland parts
The burgesses and fairmers came wi vengeance in their hearts

The Campbell and the Cameron, MacDonald o Glencoe
Ranked alang wi Gregorach and marched o’er the snaw
Far o’er the loch frae Arklet glen and doon the past Parlan
By Loch Long whose shores are held by the thieves o MacFarlane

Colquhoun wi his lowland mob lined o’er the Fruin glen
Five hundred foot, arrayed aboot three hundred moutned men
Yon godless hoard o Gregorach and others o their kind
Will creep nae mair frae their lair wi murdering in their minds

Aye whether be it for some stirks or just a ween o blacks
They’re ay’ways quick thier dirks to stick in ain anither backs
For honest men and guid Scots law we’ll tramp the vermin oot
Just steady bide God’s on our side o that there is nae doubt

Then like a torrent frae the glen McGregor’s scarlet charge
The sassenach could ne’er withstand the claymore and the targe
And all around the hellish screams o torn and dying men
Their precious blood seeped in the mud and drained in Fruin Glen

And every beast was lead awa a full twa thoosand heid
And the sairest price the victors paid was twa McGregors dead
But bide ye yet the victor’s feast the worst still to show
For the king proclaimed the Gregorach henceforth to be outlaw

Aye the bold McGregor and his clan were a declared outlaw



Who were The Corries?

The Corries were a folk duo made up of sinnger-songwriters Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne. Originally formed as The Corrie Folk Trio with Bill Graham, the group eventually whittled down to just the pair of them by 1966. The duo released many successful studio albums and played many live shows in the 24 years they were together. The groups demise sadly came in 1990 with the passing of Roy Williamson who lost his battle with Cancer.



Did you like that?

So what did you think of that then? We’d love to read your thoughts and opinions on the video in the comments below. Here at The Collective Jukebox, we are fond music lovers and just love to hear what others have to say about the music we share here.

In fact, why not join us if you love discovering New Music and sharing your favourite tunes with us all?

Join the Community!

The Corries – Years Must Roll On
13
Jan

Here’s a little treat for the Scottish Folk Music fans. This video is a compendium of songs from the famous Scottish Folk Duo The Corries’ Years Must Roll on features 18 different TV Performances of the groups classic songs from the pair and guaranteed to have fans intrigued from start to finish.



The Corries – Years Must Roll On

The video features the TV Scenes of The Corries dating from the Duo’s beginnings in 1966 up til 1987 when the compilation was produced.



Songs featured;

  1. Killiekrankie – 1966
  2. Flower of Scotland – 1968
  3. Cam Ye O’er Fae France – 1968
  4. The Toon O Kelso – 1968
  5. Scots Wha Hae – 1968
  6. Jock O’ Hazeldean – 1972
  7. Johnny Lad -1973
  8. The Rose of Allandale – 1974
  9. Leezie Lindsay – 1976
  10. The News Fae Moidart – 1978
  11. Bonnie Dundee – 1980
  12. Caw the owes te the Knowes – 1980
  13. Flower of Scotland – 1982
  14. North Sea Holes – 1987
  15. Loch Nagar – 1987
  16. The Haugh’s of Cromdale – 1987
  17. Kate Dalrymple – 1987
  18. Killiekrankie – 1987



Who were The Corries

The Corries were a Folk duet Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne. They played regular live shows and TV appearances from 1966 up until 1990. Unfortunately the group were disbanded by the unfortunate death of Roy Williamson. However, the legacy of the group still lives on far and wide.

Williamson and The Corries commemoration has been secured over the years by the adoption of their 1968 single Flower of Scotland’, written by Williamson as national anthem. This song is widely known in every Scottish household and is sung regularly before Rugby games by the Scottish National Team.

Early Beginnings

The group first formed in 1958 as a Folk Trio that called themselves ‘The Corrie Folk Trio’. This consisted of Williamson and Browne along with friend Tam Harvey. They were soon joined by female singer Paddie Bell and the group played as a quartet for the next 6 years. They played many of the Traditional Scottish and Irish Folk ballads and became major players in the Folk revival scene of the time.

The Quartet regularly played alongside and collaborated with many of the Folk revival bands like The Dubliners, The Clancys, Pete Seeger, Ewan MacColl and many more contemporaries.

Scaling Down

However, Tam had to leave as he was feeling a bit crook with a bad back and Paddie told the group that she had to go sign on. So it was just Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne left. So they decided to carry on as a Duet and rename themselves simple ‘The Corries’. They continued to play with this set up for a further Twenty-Four Years until Roy sadly passed away in 1990 after a battle with cancer.

However, it was this Due version of the group that became best known to most people and had a healthy discography and a solid fanbase.


Did you like them?

So, what did you think of this video then? Are you a fan of The Corries or a lover of Folk? Or is it not to your taste? Maybe you cant stand it. Whatever your thoughts and opinions on them, we’d love to read them in the comments below. So please feel free to elaborate in as many words as you need. We’re all music lovers here and we just love a good debate over music.

In fact, if you share the same enthusiasm as us with music, then why not join our community here at The Collective Jukebox. It’s completely FREE to join and it always will be. We’re firm believers that Music should be readily available for everyone. So that’s the way we intend to keep it. So why not get in here and share with us some of your own favourite tunes? Just click the button below to join. Only takes a few seconds. See you Inside!

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