Dig Where You Stand

Episodes

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Death In The Yarrow Valley20240627The 'Dowie Dens o' Yarrow' is a border ballad collected by Walter Scott and published in his 'Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border' in 1802. Singer and ethnologist Lori Watson has unearthed an alternative version of the ballad which was sung by Margaret Laidlaw, the mother of the writer James Hogg. Lori explains why this version of the tragic song offers more meaning for her as she stands under the James Hogg statue in the Yarrow Valley.

Written and Presented by Lori Watson

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK.

Lori Watson shares the border ballad 'The Dowie Dens o' Yarrow'.

Frolics In The Fields Of Cornwall20240625The Lark in the Morning' is an English folk song which has been sung by many artists over the years. However, singer Angeline Morrison - with the help of Merv Davey - has discovered a different version which was collected at the Falcon Inn in St Mawgan in the 1890s. Angeline shares the story of the song and brings it back to life in the place it was found.

Written and Presented by Angeline Morrison

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK.

Angeline Morrison discusses the song 'The Lark in the Morning' in the village of St Mawgan in Cornwall.

Larking About In The Fields Of Cornwall20240625The Lark in the Morning' is an English folk song which has been sung by many artists over the years. However, singer Angeline Morrison - with the help of Merv Davey - has discovered a different version which was collected at the Falcon Inn in St Mawgan in the 1890s known simply as 'The Lark'. Angeline shares the story of the song and brings it back to life in the place it was found.

Written and Presented by Angeline Morrison

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK.

Angeline Morrison discusses the song 'The Lark in the Morning' in the village of St Mawgan in Cornwall.

Pickin' Tatties Near Arboath20240624Folklorist and singer Steve Byrne sets out the concept of 'Dig Where You Stand' using an example from his home town of Arbroath on the East Coast of Scotland. Whilst digitising archive tapes from the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, he came across the songs of Mabel Skelton recorded by Hamish Henderson in the mid 1980s. The song 'Pickin' Tatties' struck a chord and resulted in Steve taking it back to the town and teaching it to school children. He takes us to the spot where the song was born and discusses the cultural confidence that comes from connecting local people with their own traditions. And how this concept has been utilised in other parts of the world.

Written and presented by Steve Byrne

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK.

Steve Byrne discusses the song 'Pickin' Tatties' at Dickmontlaw near Arbroath.

Pickin' Tatties Near Arbroath20240624Folklorist and singer Steve Byrne sets out the concept of 'Dig Where You Stand' using an example from his home town of Arbroath on the East Coast of Scotland. Whilst digitising archive tapes from the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, he came across the songs of Mabel Skelton recorded by Hamish Henderson in the mid 1980s. The song 'Pickin' Tatties' struck a chord and resulted in Steve taking it back to the town and teaching it to school children. He takes us to the spot where the song was born and discusses the cultural confidence that comes from connecting local people with their own traditions. And how this concept has been utilised in other parts of the world.

Written and presented by Steve Byrne

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK.

Steve Byrne discusses the song 'Pickin' Tatties' at Dickmontlaw near Arbroath.

Sowing Oats In Ceredigion20240626Singer Owen Shiers lives in Ceredigion in west Wales where he has found himself on a mission to save the ancient Welsh black oat from extinction. During his research on the crop, he discovered the work of farmer poet Isgarn. Born in 1887, he was a chronicler of working the land. Owen has set his poem 'Y Medelwr' - The Reaperman - to music and discusses its particular relevance to connecting with the land in 21st-century Wales.

Written and Presented by Owen Shiers

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK.

Owen Shiers on saving Welsh black oats from extinction through poetry and song.

The Arnisdale Fiddler And The Fairy20240628Musician Allan Henderson was taught by the great fiddler Aonghas Grant. Aonghas gave Allan the tune 'Dalshangie' and shared the story of the Arnisdale fiddler, Neil Campbell, who was on his way home from playing at a wedding in Knoydart and chanced upon a fairy. The fairy admired his playing and gave him an enchanted bow. This tune is said to have come from Neil and his enchanted bow.

Allan visits Arnisdale to share the story of the tune and play it in the place it was born.

Written and Presented by Allan Henderson

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK

Allan Henderson seeks out the story behind the fiddle tune 'Dalshangie' in Arnisdale in the north west Highlands.

LASTThe Fairy And The Fiddler In Arnisdale20240628Musician Allan Henderson was taught by the great fiddler Aonghas Grant. Aonghas gave Allan the tune 'Dalshangie' and shared the story of the Arnisdale fiddler, Neil Campbell, who was on his way home from playing at a wedding in Knoydart and chanced upon a fairy. The fairy admired his playing and gave him an enchanted bow. This tune is said to have come from Neil and his enchanted bow.

Allan visits Arnisdale to share the story of the tune and play it in the place it was born.

Written and Presented by Allan Henderson

Unearthing old tunes and songs from around the UK

Allan Henderson seeks out the story behind the fiddle tune 'Dalshangie' in Arnisdale in the north west Highlands.