Piper o' Dundee

This is the song of Carnegie, a high ranking Jacobite (follower of King James  of Scotland who was exiled in France (latin for James = Jacobus, hence Jacob-ites)). He was nicknamed “the Piper o’ Dundee”. “Dundee” was Graham of Claverhouse who established the Jacobites in my home town of Dundee in May 1689 with only 50 followers. Carnegie, the “piper o’ Dundee” raised funds, raised troops and followers and generally got people to “dance to his tune”. When the Jacobites won their first battle with the Government troops at Killiecrankie, two months later, they had around 3,000 of an army – whatever he did, it was effective. “wisnae he a roguie, a rougie a rougie… the piper o’ Dundee” 

This is a song that just bounces along with a will of it’s own. I play a simple guitar solo in the middle and end it with a type of Greek Syrtaki style slow chorus which speeds up to the end. Why? I have no idea, I was playing it one night, the song was bouncing along great, the crowd was singing along loudly, spirits were high, drink was involved … and at the end I abruptly started a “zorba the greek” rhythm… which everyone loved – and I’ve played it that way ever since. Some things just happen.

Instruments : 6 & 12-string guitars, bass, vocals