Song Biographies

During our two year funded project we ran 17 SongShares, which consisted of a short informal concert where local artists or folk interested in singing were encouraged to take the stage (or stay where they were!), followed by a workshop where participants were invited to join in and learn a newly rediscovered and almost forgotten Orkney song.  Each song has its own story.  

Dr Sarah Jane Gibbon put together the information on each of the songs taught at each workshop, and written over the next few pages for you.

Click on the links below to learn about an individual song, or browse first 7 songs here, the next 7 songs here and the final few, including the finale weekend, here.

Stromness: The Orcadian Boatman's Song
The Hope: The Greenland Whale Fishery
Orphir: Hurrah for the Orkneys
Kirkwall: An Orcadian Cradle Song
Finstown: The Nobleman's Wedding / The Unconstant Lover
St Andrews: I'll Hang My Harp on a Willow Tree 
Flotta: The Bride's Lament 
Dounby: The Hamars o Syradale
Shapinsay: Elwick Bay
Hoy: The dreadful end of Marianna for sorcery
Rousay: The Rousay Lullaby
Eday: The Eday Song
Westray: Oh Dear Oh
Stronsay: Leaving Stronsay
Sanday: The New Year Song
North Ronaldsay & Papa Westray: Variety Concerts
Finale Weekend:  Tam Gibb's Soo
Finale Weekend:  The Wreck of the Brig Columbus

You can also find out a bit more about Hoy's Dark and Lofty Isle (available on our mp3 page) and the Cock o Byam, which features on Saltfishforty's most recent cd launch Netherbow,  here.