The Rain Cam' Poorin' Oot O' Ma Breeks, But Och I Didna Care
This summer we've asked Cameron Stout to host a short series of programmes in which we'll invite listeners to nominate their top 100 favourite Scottish traditional tunes. The series is being produced in our Aberdeen studios from where researcher Matt Ludlow e-mailed me to ask if I might help start the ball rolling by suggesting three personal favourites and explaining the reasons for my choice.
Now, this isn't as easy as it seems because you start to second-guess yourself and even wonder if the tunes you have in mind are actually Scottish at all.
Take Highland Cathedral, for instance. I have a vivid memory of this being performed by the Bathgate Brass Band, accompanied by a lone piper, in the very first edition of . I'd like to nominate that tune, but everyone knows it was composed by two Germans. Does it qualify?
Then there are songs from Scotland's great music hall tradition. When the Alexander Brothers had a hit with Nobody's Child, they recorded Bonnie Wee Jeannie McColl on the b-side. I can still sing that song off- by-heart and it always conjurs up childhood memories of Christmas and Hogmanay.
But if I had to plump for one tune that I always find haunting and emotional it would have to be The Dark Isle.
If you'd like to cast your own vote then just follow this link. In just over a month we'll be revealing the top five favourite Trad tunes.
Meanwhile, I'm available for parties and weddings.
Oh she's a fine wee lass, a bonnie wee lass, was bonnie wee Jeannie McColl.....
