We’re finishing off series 2 of the podcast with a song which has perhaps the best backstory of any Scottish folk song, MacPherson’s Farewell.

Also known as MacPherson’s Rant, the song is often said to have been written on the gallows by James MacPherson, hanged at Banff on 16th November 1700. But how much of the story is actually true? Listen in as we try to wade through the legends and get to the truth.

This is the last episode in the current series but we’ll be back for series 3 early next year. In the meantime, if there are any songs you’d like to hear about please let us know.

Music featured:
MacPherson’s Rant by The Sorries (taken from the album Auld Lang Syne - 2012)
MacPherson’s Rant by The Sorries (podcast session recording, taken from Episode 7: Happy Homemany - 2020)

You can listen to the full version of the song on The Sorries album Auld Lang Syne and can hear more of our songs on the major streaming services or by visiting http://thesorries.co.uk

You can also get lots of Sorries-themed rewards - including exclusive videos, song tutorials and even a house concert - if you sign up to support us on Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TheSorries

Some references and further reading are to be found on the podcast site - scottishsongguide.com

The beautiful Border ballad Jock O Hazeldean is the subject of this week’s episode. The song tells the tale of a young woman who skips out on her handsome young groom-to-be and instead heads north to be with her true love, Jock.

First collected by Sir Walter Scott for his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders at the beginning of the 19th century, it may actually date from almost 100 years before that.

Music featured:
Jock O Hazeldean by The Sorries (taken from the album The Sorries - 2009)

You can listen to the full version of the song on The Sorries album The Sorries and can hear more of our songs on the major streaming services or by visiting http://thesorries.co.uk

You can also get lots of Sorries-themed rewards - including exclusive videos, song tutorials and even a house concert - if you sign up to support us on Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TheSorries Some references and further reading are to be found on the podcast site - scottishsongguide.com

A song from the pen of Walter Scott is the focus of this week’s episode as we look at Blue Bonnets Over the Border.

Expect to hear talk of Covenanters, Brighton and laudanum, not to mention the sound of a fire crackling in the background and Marty coming dangerously close to acting…

Music featured:
Blue Bonnets by The Sorries (taken from the album The Sorries - 2009)
Blue Bonnets by The Sorries (taken from the album Live at the Fringe - 2013)
Oh Dear Mother, What Shall I Do (1725 melody) by The Sorries (podcast session recording - 2022)

You can listen to the full version of the song on The Sorries albums Live at the Fringe and The Sorries and you can hear more of our songs on the major streaming services or by visiting https://thesorries.co.uk

Some references and further reading are to be found on the podcast site - scottishsongguide.com

You can also get lots of Sorries-themed rewards - including exclusive videos, song tutorials and even a house concert - if you sign up to support us on Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TheSorries