All the items on this disc were recorded in the Hebrides, but this does not mean that they represent a specifically Hebridean tradition. Allowing for certain local variations, the songs of the Hebrides are no different thematically and structurally from the songs that once flourished on the mainland; furthermore, Hebridean tradition still preserves songs of mainland poets long forgotten in their place of origin. What you hear on the disc attempts to indicate the general features of Scottish Gaelic song. But it will also be apparent that different regional styles are represented, e.g. the bright and intense timbre of Lewis singing with its extraordinary flow of melody.

These are the songs of a nation. It is true that much of their poetry is anonymous, that oral composition and transmission are of supreme importance, and that these are features we usually associate with 'folk song'. It is true too that the upper class of Gaelic society mostly disappeared or became Anglicised in the nineteenth century or earlier, and that what the Gaelic community of the Highland Island now possesses may be described as a 'folk culture'.

MUSIC FROM THE WESTERN ISLES

Choral work songs and reels (1 - 3) 1. Hé Mandu Mrs KATE MacLEOD & Chorus 2:00 2 Dheanainn sùgradh ris an nighean dubh 1:35 I would make merry with the black haired girl Mrs NAN MacLEOD & Chorus 3 a: Mharchaidh Bhig a chinn a'chonais 5:58 Little Mordoch, best at baiting Miss PENNY MORRISON & Chorus b: Reels CALUM BEATON, Stoneybridge - pipes 4 Oran do bhean Mhic Fhraing 2:37 Song to Rankin's wife ANGUS MacDONALD 5 Fiollaigean : Choral céilidh song 3.31 MURDO MacLEOD & JOHN MURRAY 6 Puirt a beul : mouth music 3.27 a: Seallaibh curaigh Eoghainn Look at Ewen's coracle Mrs ANNIE ARNOTT b: Fosgail an dorus dh' an tàilleir fhidhleir Open the door to the fiddling tailor Mrs ARCHIE MacDONALD c: Am bothan a bh'aig Fionnghuala Fionnghuala's bothy CALUM JOHNSTON d: Canntaireachd Miss MARY MORRISON

7. Latha dha' Fhinn am 2:49 Beinn Iongnaidh A day when the Fenians were in the Mountians Marvels: Fenian Lay Mrs. ARCHIE MacDONALD 8 'S e mis' bhith fada bho 4.04 thìr m'eòlais Being far form the land that I know HUGH MATHESON 9 Suidhidth sinn a bhàin, gu socair 2.12 We will sit down at ease: Love song Mrs CHRISTINE SHAW 10 Tha thìde agam éirigh, 2.24 It is time for me to rise up ANGUS KENNETH MacIVER 11 Cha till MacCruimean 1.44 Macrimmon will never come back: Pibroch song Mrs ARCHIE MacDONALD 12 Tha do Rioghachad Iàn do ghlòir 5:31 Your kingdom is full of glory: Evangelical Hymn Miss MURDINA MacDONALD Subsidised by the Scottish Arts Council