The Eskimo Republic: Scots Political Song in Action 1951-199

New and old Scottish songs fuelled and reported on political actions and campaigns, from the 1950 reiving of the Stane of Destiny, through the growth of the SNP, to the 1999 reopening of the Scottish Parliament, and on peace campaigns and protests from the 1960s to the 1990s. This book investigates the historical roots of Scots political song, and considers the role of key activists and songmakers Hamish Henderson, Matt McGinn, Thurso Berwick, Hamish Imlach, Ewan MacColl and Dick Gaughan. Interviewees include Jim McLean, Dolina McLennan, Ian McCalman, Marion Blythman, Ian Davison, Eric Bogle, Alistair Hulett, Billy Wolfe, Jim Kelman, John Powles, Geordie McIntyre, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Archie Fisher, Rab Noakes, John Greig, Cathie Peattie MSP, Rob Gibson MSP, Sheila Douglas, Hugh MacDonald, Nancy Nicolson, David Campbell, Peggy Seeger, Stuart McHardy, Danny Couper, Donald Smith, Eileen Penman, Ronnie Clark, Ian Walker, Anne Neilson.

"Broken faimlies in lands we’ve herriet
Will curse Scotland the Brave nae mair,
nae mair"

"Kick the Cooncil up the backside
Celebrate the new Red Clydeside"

"Liberty’s in every blow
Let us Do or Die"

"Scotland hesna got a King
And hesna got a Queen
Ye canna hae the second Liz
Whan the first yin’s never been"

"We’ll cut a trench along the border
And sail away from England wi the SNP"

" Boomerang, boomerang
We’ll send them back where they belang
Send back Polaris, send back Cruise"

"Ding Dong Dollar, everybody holler
Ye canny spend a dollar when ye’re deid"

"The Dean o Westminster wis a powerful man
He held aa the strings o the state in his hand
But wi aa this great business it flustered him nane
Till some rogues ran away wi his Wee Magic Stane"