
Jim got today’s theme from Kristian over at Tales From The Mind Of Kristian: "Atoll, Island, Key, Lagoon, Peninsula, Reef, Tropical." I had no idea what I would do for this until this morning, when I channeled my inner Scotsman and remembered this tune (pronounced "chune") from my piping days. It’s a traditional Scottish song called "The Road To The Isles." Here is Andy Stewart, who made a career of singing traditional Scottish songs.
The lyrics, from Songlyrics.com:
As take I wi’ my cromack to the road.
The far Coolins are puttin’ love on me.
As step I wi’ the sunlight for my load.
Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go
By heather tracks wi’ heaven in their wiles.
If it’s thinkin’ in your inner heart the braggart’s in my step.
You’ve never smelled the tangle o’ the Isles.
The far Coolins are puttin’ love on me.
As step I wi’ my cromack to the Isles.
It’s by Shiel water the track is to the west.
By Aillort and by Morar to the sea.
The cool cresses I am thinkin’ of for pluck.
And bracken for a wink on Mother knee.
Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go
By heather tracks wi’ heaven in their wiles.
If it’s thinkin’ in your inner heart the braggart’s in my step.
You’ve never smelled the tangle o’ the Isles.
Oh the far Coolins are puttin’ love on me.
As step I wi’ my cromack to the Isles.
Oh the blue islands are pullin’ me away.
Their laughter puts the leap upon the lame.
The blue islands from the Skerries to the Lewis.
Wi’ heather honey taste upon each name.
Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go
By heather tracks wi’ heaven in their wiles.
If it’s thinkin’ in your inner heart the braggart’s in my step.
You’ve never smelled the tangle o’ the Isles.
Oh the far Coolins are puttin’ love on me.
As step I wi’ my cromack to the Isles.
That’s Song Lyric Sunday (and Song of the Day) for October 24, 2021.

Iโve never heard this one before, John. Nice choice!
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From my bagpiping days. I learned a lot about Irish and Scottish music and it’s stayed with me. Glad you liked it!
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My goodness John, you have a knack for digging up songs from way back when in my childhood โบ๏ธ Good one today!
By the way, Congratulations to the Braves making it to the World Series. Bet you’re happy ๐
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Neat little song. I like hearing other accents and somewhat foreign words. ๐
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There are certainly plenty in that song….
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Excellent, lol this takes me back ๐
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Hearing Andy Stewart does that, doesn’t it?
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Ach, aye! It does๐
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This song reminds me of my trip to Scotland where I had to ask everyone to repeat everything that they said to me, because this language just sounds so foreign to me. great choice John.
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Thanks! We used to play it in the “massed bands” segment of Highland Games. That’s where all the bands march out together and play. Oddly enough, I had very little trouble understanding the Scots when we were there. Of course, we spent most of our time in Edinburgh…
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I love the sound of this accent, but I always had trouble with it.
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It’s tricky.
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