And we’re back! I’ve just returned from a three week tour of Canada’s Maritime provinces, and it seems I’ve left my heart in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Cape Breton is a land of wild, rugged natural beauty, kind, friendly people, and a long, proud history. Celtic pride is big in Cape Breton (as is Acadian pride), and each night of our all-too-brief stay on the island was filled with the sounds of fiddles, pianos, pipes and song, where the audience was more than encouraged to sing along and join in on the fun. One song that I heard performed several times is a traditional Scottish tune that recounts the ill-fated battle of Culloden, and includes a Gaelic refrain that is heaps of fun to join in on. I don’t have a drop of the Scots in me, as far as I know, but for an evening anyway I could imagine myself wandering across the highlands with Jamie Fraser, ready to battle for Bonnie Prince Charles!
In case your Scottish history is a wee bit rusty, the Charlie referred to in the song is Bonnie Prince Charlie, or Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart as he was known to his folks, who claimed rights to the throne of Great Britain as a descendant of the Stuart line. His defeat in the battle of Culloden (which fans of the Outlander series will likely recognize) effectively ended his bid for the crown.
This week I share, for your enjoyment, a song that has been playing in my head ever since I left Cape Breton – Sound the Pibroch.
Sound the pibroch loud and high,
From John O’Groats to the Isle o’ Skye!
Let a’ the Clans their slogan cry
And rise and follow Charlie!
Chorus
Tha tighin fodham, fodham, fodham
Tha tighin fodham, fodham, fodham
Tha tighin fodham, fodham, fodham
To rise and follow Charlie!
And see a small devoted band,
By dark Loch Shiel have ta’en their stand
And proudly vow with heart and hand,
To fight for Royal Charlie!
Chorus
Frae eery hill and every glen,
Are gatherin’ fast the loyal men;
They grasp their dirks and shout again,
“Hurrah! for Royal Charlie!”
Chorus
On dark Culloden’s field of gore
Hark! hark! they shout, “Claymore! Claymore!”
They bravely fight, what can they more?
They die for Royal Charlie!
Chorus
No more we’ll see such deeds again,
Deserted is each Highland glen,
And lonely cairns are o’er the men,
Who fought and died for Charlie!
Chorus
The White Rose blossoms forth again,
Deep in sheltered Highland glens;
And soon we’ll hear the cry we ken
Tae rise! And fight for Charlie!
Chorus
And if you’d like to hear the song performed, here you go!
Here’s hoping you all get a chance to explore Cape Breton one day, and join in a ceilidh (or musical party) of your own!
Oh, your trip sounds marvelous, & three weeks, wow! I love those kinds of songs, the happiest of stories even if they include loss or goodbyes. Thanks, Jane!
Thanks for the trip to Cape Breton Jane. Hope I get there one day–it’s gorgeous the geography and the music–which was a richly woven treat, and reminded me of my dad who loved folk music!
Thanks for the trip to Cape Breton Jane. Hope I get there one day, it’s gorgeous both the geography and the richly woven music!
Thanks for sharing this. I have a wee bit of Scottish blood in me, so felt justified in singing along as I listened – even though I had never heard the song before
Oh, fantastic! I definitely felt like I was an honorary Scot while I was there.
Jane, I would love to visit this island and enjoy those fiddles, pianos, pipes and song! Right up my alley. Thank you for sharing! xo
Definitely up my alley too, nothing like a toe-tapping good time!
I enjoyed the lift and joy in this song! Thanks!
You’re very welcome, it was fun to relive the experience!
What a pretty tune…even if the story isn’t actually “pretty.” I love the feeling of the chorus and the strings pulling me into foot tappin and a lore. You make me want to travel! Thanks for sharing and welcome home. We’ve missed ye.
Jane, I had to do some research to find out more about the song you shared and found on YouTube the song and background knowledge. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuCmZNvnxlI) Then, I saw you added a video. It was interesting to hear the different ways artists deliver the song. I have wanted to travel to Nova Scotia for years. You brought me a piece to ponder.
May I capture your photo of Nova Scotia for my autumn gallery? It has such an inviting, quiet tone to it.
Thanks for the Cape Berton fix! Lucky you — sounds like a fabulous trip!
What fun! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your trip. I would love to visit one day!
Sounds like so much fun! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
It was – it felt like traveling to a far-away land, when really it was in my own home country! Of course, when your country is as big as Canada, you really are traveling pretty far away when you go from coast to coast.
Sounds like a wonderful trip–I’ve always wanted to go to Nova Scotia, and your post makes me want to go even more!
Put it on your list! I honestly never even thought about going to the Maritimes before – I always looked overseas for my vacations, and never really thought about traveling through “boring” Canada – silly old me!
Love this! And thanks for sharing a bit of the history, too.
You’re very welcome, it’s quite fascinating stuff! Cape Breton is in a way more Scottish than Scotland – they even have signs in Gaelic!
Sounds like a wonderful trip, Jane! Many moons ago my husband and I took a biking vacation in Acadia National Park and Nova Scotia. It was warm and sunny in Maine, but when we crossed the border into Canada it started raining and kept it up for several days while we were there. It only stopped when we crossed back into the US again. It was a soggy trip (and we didn’t get much biking in), but it was enchanting nonetheless. I love the music of fiddler Natalie MacMaster who hails from Cape Breton Island. If you’re not familiar with her, you should check out her music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzP_kIXsuvA
Oh dear! We did get one rainy day while we were there, but otherwise it was surprisingly hot and sunny, which was a nice change from the endless rain we were having back home! I’m glad you had a great experience all the same!
Hmmm… I just wrote you a rather long comment, Jane, but now I don’t see it. Hopefully it went through and is just pending moderation, but just in case, I wanted you to hear Natalie MacMaster who hails from Cape Breton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzP_kIXsuvA I’ve visited there as well and loved it!
It did get stuck in moderation limbo! Oh yes, I met several musicians who just casually name-dropped “Natalie” – I didn’t realize at first who they meant, not knowing that much about Celtic music! But she’s a real hometown hero there!
What a trip! And thanks for the Scottish history lesson. I’ve been engrossed with Anne with An E so I love your photos of Nokia Scotia.
It was fantastic, and a good reminder of how big and diverse my own home country is, with so much still to experience!