We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Burn the Witch

from Burn the Witch 1978 by McCalmans

supported by
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

about

I came across a book in an Edinburgh "second-hand bookshop", published by Blackwood in 1851. It was called, "Book of Scottish Ballads" and on page 561 I found the "legendary ballad", "The Witch of Pittenweem". What a "find" that book was, I scanned every page and learned more about Scotland than from most of the history lessons I'd ever had at school.
The aforementioned ballad was cut down to the verses (with quite a few changes) used in "Burn the Witch". I added a chorus and put a tune to the whole thing. The intro is concertina and bowed psaltery, a triangular flat instrument played with an arched bow. It comes in at the end as well, and I admit I wasn't one of the great psaltery players. That's irony by the way.

credits

from Burn the Witch 1978, released June 6, 1978
Guitars: ian and Derek.
Concertina: Hamish
Bowed psaltery: Ian

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

McCalmans Edinburgh, UK

Formed 1964, Edinburgh, studying Architecture. Ian McCalman, Derek Moffat, Hamish Bayne, for 18years.Then McCalman, Moffat, Nick Keir for 27yrs. Then McCalman, Keir, Stephen Quigg for 9yrs. 27 albums, multiple TV series. World tours. "Best live act" award, "Hall of Fame", "Hamish Henderson award", recorded 400 songs, retired 2010. folk singers, writers, talkers, travellers, Love Scotland. Friends! ... more

contact / help

Contact McCalmans

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like McCalmans, you may also like: