Lovely, moving ballad, beautifully performed. But the wee history lesson regarding the origins of the song is incorrect. The galley (ship) to which the song refers was the galley belonging to the MacNeil's of Barra who inhabited Kisimul castle. The MacNeil's piracy is of substantial historical record, including the imprisonment in Edinburgh of Chief Roderick MacNiel of Barra (aka Rory the Turbulent") for piracy against Queen Elizabeth. There is no such person as "Kismuil".
Um... Kishmul isn't even a person, much less a pirate. It's a place name. here is some info from the Corries Official website --
"In fact, Kisimul Castle (pronounced Kishmul) was, and still is, in a way, the seat of the Mac Neils of Barra ... one can still see the remains of the dock where the birlinn (Hebridean galley) of the Mac Neil chiefs used to moor at high tide. the song refers to their galley, not to anyone by the name of Kishmul..."
i know wat i meant was ther songs for the most part wer old scotish poems/stories ( i got a book past down the years ) that told the stories and a wee bit history and i know by yer comments u are well versed in history its just most americans think braveheart was a true story and i think u will agree the will get a better taste o scotland from the corrie than they will fae hollywood and ime a fifer now livin in newzealand so i feel the same as u when i put them on awrabest at hogmany 7 hrs
I'm glad they didn't film Dracula at Slains, It's more beautiful than frightening. Besides, I can't picture Dracula with the beautiful Scottish accent! :)
A wee aside from an old Goth - Slains (Slaines) Castle was visited by Bram Stoker and was the inspiration for Castle Dracula! (Overlooking a river not the sea in the book of course). Well woth a visit.
I first heard this on Kenneth MacKellar's early 60's album "Songs of the Hebrides" and I set it to pipe music back in the 70's. No doubt "re" set, I could hardly have been the first. I thought it'd make a wonderful slow air addition to a pipe band medley.
I believe it is a 28-string guitar - Saw them do this in the mid 60's and as I recall there were a dozen or so fretted strings and the remainder were resonating strings that I think radiated down from the bridge.
I wondered how long it would take. I went back onto this vid (sober I may add) and realised what I wrote was, as you say, "garbage" but I was hoping no one would notice.........thanks for that ;-) Still I caught the jist of the combolins even though these aren't them.
the combolins, as used in the song metioned before, actually called "The Great Silkie," and others, were two instruments. each was made up of three elements. Roys had a Banduria, Guitar, and 13 sympathetic Strings. the one Ronnie used had a Mondolin, Guitar and 4 bass strings. i was lucky enough to know the corries, through my parents, and i once had a play on the combolins, although unfortunately i was too young to appreciate it or even remember!!!
That two people can create such a sound, so much power, emotion and yet so humble with it. Where to next, now that they are gone? Over to you, young Scotland, to carry the baton!
Fantastic song expertly played as usual by two artificers in their field. Doubt there is a better version of this song. Fantastic, moving and atmospheric.
Ganz große Klasse:Lied und Landschaft.Schottischer kann es schon gar nicht mehr sein.The Corries kennt man nicht nur auf den Inseln.Gruß aus Deutschland.
Just Fab.
GordonMcFadyen1 2 weeks ago
I've an LP of Calum Kennedy singing this song - wonderful !
piperbob2 8 months ago
Perfect music to listen to outside on a pleasent night.
MynyddBaddon 1 year ago
so beautyful and wonderful!!
Beloved Scotland...
SallamonKane 1 year ago
Lovely, moving ballad, beautifully performed. But the wee history lesson regarding the origins of the song is incorrect. The galley (ship) to which the song refers was the galley belonging to the MacNeil's of Barra who inhabited Kisimul castle. The MacNeil's piracy is of substantial historical record, including the imprisonment in Edinburgh of Chief Roderick MacNiel of Barra (aka Rory the Turbulent") for piracy against Queen Elizabeth. There is no such person as "Kismuil".
gvilleduck 1 year ago 3
@gvilleduck Many McNeil's of Barra inhabit Cape Breton, Canada now.
cheaze69 1 year ago
bra
schottie46 1 year ago
they are legends this is my very fav
lillyandruben 1 year ago
Very modern sounding for it's time. I'm practicing this in Scot'-Gaelic. Love the Corries
ForumForWorldMusic 2 years ago 3
how lucky are you what a view
whingenjock 2 years ago 4
Um... Kishmul isn't even a person, much less a pirate. It's a place name. here is some info from the Corries Official website --
"In fact, Kisimul Castle (pronounced Kishmul) was, and still is, in a way, the seat of the Mac Neils of Barra ... one can still see the remains of the dock where the birlinn (Hebridean galley) of the Mac Neil chiefs used to moor at high tide. the song refers to their galley, not to anyone by the name of Kishmul..."
Kishmul is Anglicized; no letter K in Gaelic.
RKHageman 2 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
True, but give the man a break. He was a musician not a historian. :-)
Great song!
JeannieTomlin 2 years ago
wrong he was and still is very much an historian
nzfifer 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Well, he was wrong about Kishmul. :-)
I was being nice about it.
JeannieTomlin 2 years ago
i know wat i meant was ther songs for the most part wer old scotish poems/stories ( i got a book past down the years ) that told the stories and a wee bit history and i know by yer comments u are well versed in history its just most americans think braveheart was a true story and i think u will agree the will get a better taste o scotland from the corrie than they will fae hollywood and ime a fifer now livin in newzealand so i feel the same as u when i put them on awrabest at hogmany 7 hrs
nzfifer 2 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Yes, they give a better idea of Scotland than anyone could ever get from that stupid movie. I love the Corries, like you.
Guid hogmanay to you.
JeannieTomlin 2 years ago
Visited Gourock one time in my youth, sailed around your shores.
You have a very beautiful country Scot.
The folks we met there in Gourock that day were special.
chiburui6 2 years ago 4
Love the song and the video on this one. Really great!
MsCailleach 2 years ago 4
Wow just can't get over the banging rythm of that combolin at the end. Man these guys were fantastic.
theroachksu 2 years ago 5
as has been discussed in here before, itn not combolins playing on here, its a 28 string guitar.
qantas40 2 years ago 5
I'm glad they didn't film Dracula at Slains, It's more beautiful than frightening. Besides, I can't picture Dracula with the beautiful Scottish accent! :)
dogochoc 2 years ago 6
LOL dogochoc! ...."Dracula with a Scottish accent.." lol, can't picture it myself.
Great to see Roy play his 28-string guitar here! Love it!
devgal211 2 years ago 3
This is such an amazing piece.
JeannieTomlin 2 years ago
devgal211==the best song to hear the 28 string guitar on is "Twa Corbies". I'll send it to you!
dogochoc 2 years ago 2
A wee aside from an old Goth - Slains (Slaines) Castle was visited by Bram Stoker and was the inspiration for Castle Dracula! (Overlooking a river not the sea in the book of course). Well woth a visit.
Cradh 2 years ago 4
Bards, minstrels, performers, story tellers, and legends the both of them.
Yealdin 3 years ago 37
in cruden bay today Allways a great wee trip wheen doing north run
love that wee town nice area nice people
balfarg1982 3 years ago 2
I first heard this on Kenneth MacKellar's early 60's album "Songs of the Hebrides" and I set it to pipe music back in the 70's. No doubt "re" set, I could hardly have been the first. I thought it'd make a wonderful slow air addition to a pipe band medley.
Dayepipes 4 years ago
what instrument is roy playing
mcwrules4life 4 years ago 2
I believe it is a 28-string guitar - Saw them do this in the mid 60's and as I recall there were a dozen or so fretted strings and the remainder were resonating strings that I think radiated down from the bridge.
JeremysRanch 4 years ago 2
Try to find the Corries singing ;'The Silkie of Sule Skerry' for amazing sounds from the same instrument, and a great song, too
MikeJimmyThompson 4 years ago
Its called a "combolin" its Roy's own design, He designed two types one normal and one with a deeper base sound.
thistlewarrior 3 years ago 3
sorry thistle but you are talking garbage. the instrument is indeed a 28 string guitar, also built by roy.
qantas40 3 years ago 4
I wondered how long it would take. I went back onto this vid (sober I may add) and realised what I wrote was, as you say, "garbage" but I was hoping no one would notice.........thanks for that ;-) Still I caught the jist of the combolins even though these aren't them.
Slainte!
thistlewarrior 3 years ago 4
the way i wrote that was i bit harsh, sorry!! just wanted to make sure the facts were correct!!
qantas40 3 years ago 4
No offence taken buddy.
Oh crap! Now my original comment has made it's way to the top of the page for all to see! LOL!
thistlewarrior 3 years ago 2
the combolins, as used in the song metioned before, actually called "The Great Silkie," and others, were two instruments. each was made up of three elements. Roys had a Banduria, Guitar, and 13 sympathetic Strings. the one Ronnie used had a Mondolin, Guitar and 4 bass strings. i was lucky enough to know the corries, through my parents, and i once had a play on the combolins, although unfortunately i was too young to appreciate it or even remember!!!
qantas40 3 years ago 16
also, in case anyone cares, i know where they are now and the guy who has them. and the 28 string guitar.
qantas40 3 years ago 2
@qantas40 oooh get you :) I wished i could have a shot on the 28 string guitar that's he's playing! I love the sound of those sympathetic strings!
MrPenfold84 8 months ago
A song to make the MacNeil of Barra proud!
bronzemom 4 years ago 5
are u a mcneill where u fra
1804198125061979 3 years ago 2
That two people can create such a sound, so much power, emotion and yet so humble with it. Where to next, now that they are gone? Over to you, young Scotland, to carry the baton!
kirkwallboy 4 years ago 5
Fantastic song expertly played as usual by two artificers in their field. Doubt there is a better version of this song. Fantastic, moving and atmospheric.
alacas69 4 years ago
sounds a bit like there normal stuff crossed with spyro
p.s whats the german stuff saying in the comments
i only know und = and schottisher = scottisher and deutschland = germany
airfixbuilder 4 years ago
he says that he like the clip a lot and that the it is as scottish as it can be (great landside, song and so on )
he also says that The Corries are famous in Germany ,too.
And he is right ;-)
Greetings from Germany
Sexysixpackboy 4 years ago 2
Ganz große Klasse:Lied und Landschaft.Schottischer kann es schon gar nicht mehr sein.The Corries kennt man nicht nur auf den Inseln.Gruß aus Deutschland.
ralle49 4 years ago 2
it is great long live the corries and the scottish highlands that they regail
MadMac6696 5 years ago
I remember this one, its great to see it again, keep up the good work.
Iain40 5 years ago