The Guinea Stamp

$15.00

The Guinea Stamp is a collection of songs written by, or inspired by, Robert Burns, and performed by WilkieMac. “The rank is but the guinea’s stamp” is a line in the song For a’ That and a’ That, and a reflection of Burns’ egalitarian views. His songs are lyrical and haunting, beautifully crafted, celebratory or sad. These qualities are the reason why some of these songs have been part of WilkieMac’s repertoire for many years. The desire to bring these songs into the New Zealand musical landscape was the inspiration for this recording.

The Guinea Stamp is a collection of songs written by, or inspired by, Robert Burns, and performed by WilkieMac. “The rank is but the guinea’s stamp” is a line in the song For a’ That and a’ That, and a reflection of Burns’ egalitarian views. His songs are lyrical and haunting, beautifully crafted, celebratory or sad. These qualities are the reason why some of these songs have been part of WilkieMac’s repertoire for many years. The desire to bring these songs into the New Zealand musical landscape was the inspiration for this recording.

Scottish Poet Robert Burns (1759 – 1796), also known as the Bard of Ayrshire, and the Ploughman Poet, created a significant body of written work during his short lifetime, and his legacy has become part of our contemporary social fabric. Excerpts from Burns’ poems are in daily use among English speakers, without us necessarily being aware of their origins, an example being “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley” which might these days be shortened to “The best laid plans…” together with a shrug of the shoulders! The most well-known of Burns’ songs would be Auld Lang Syne, which is traditionally sung at midnight on December 31st.

Tracks:

  1. Scots Wa Hae

  2. Ye Banks an’ Braes o’ Bonnie Doon

  3. Green Grow the Rashes O / Braeburn Valley

  4. My Love is Like a Red Red Rose

  5. Aye Waukin-O

  6. For A’ That an A’ That

  7. Wild Mountainside

  8. Ae Fond Kiss

  9. Ye Jacobites by Name

  10. Ye Jacobites by Name (Reprise)

  11. Leezie Lindsay

  12. Auld Lang Syne

Braeburn Valley is an excerpt from a tune composed by Lynne Wilkins. Leezie Lindsay was composed by Robert Burns with additional verses and arrangement by Eddi Reader and Boo Hewerdine. Wild Mountainside was composed by John Douglas. All other works are attributed to Robert Burns. Arrangements are by WilkieMac, with the exceptions of Leezie Lindsay and Wild Mountainside. Recorded at Braeburn by Robbie Duncan, engineer extraordinaire. Cover design and artwork by Ezra Andre (Design Folk)