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Orkneyjar

from Land and Sea (2017) by Bob Leslie

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about

Orkneyjar was the old Viking name for Orkney. My father was from Stromness, and my grandparents from Stronsay and Graemsay. I spent every summer there till I was 16 - when my parents broke up. Later in life, I returned and was made most welcome. I'm very glad I went back!

lyrics

Salt wind stings my eyes blowing up from the sea
Crossing the firth from Gill's Bay
Or it might be the memories surging in me
Taking me back to the days
When all of our summers were sunshine
And the nights were just painted with stars
And the Ola would surge through the water
To carry us to Orkneyjar
Orkneyjar, Orkneyjar
The Ola would surge through the water
And carry us to Orkneyjar

Those long days out in Harray with my cousin, Hugh
Catching trout that would fight on the line
Or nights over Scapa with Jock Skinner too
Pulling saithe that the full moon made shine
I'd ride the long miles off to Finstown
And never once think it was far
In those days that were practically endless
When time never touched Orkneyjar.
Orkneyjar, Orkneyjar
In those days that were practically endless when time never touched Orkneyjar

Oh, I was a wee lad all skinny and shy
But they stuffed me like some Christmas fowl
From Graemsay to Stronsay they thought I would die
If I wasn't fed every hour
Bere bannocks and butter wi farm cheese and eggs
Or a haunch of roast beef they would carve
Each summer I grew like a Viking
On the riches of old Orkneyjar.
Orkneyjar, Orkneyjar
Each summer I grew like a Viking on the riches of old Orkneyjar

It's been many years since I've seen Kirkwall Bay
For life and toil kept us apart
But Orkney reached out and I've come back today
To find that she's still in my heart
The years have been kindly to Hugh and his Jean
And their smiles would outshine a star
As I'm welcomed like some long-lost Prodigal
To the bosom of old Orkneyjar.
Orkneyjar, Orkneyjar
As I'm welcomed like some long-lost Prodigal
To the bosom of old Orkneyjar

credits

from Land and Sea (2017), released August 1, 2017

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all rights reserved

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Bob Leslie Glasgow, UK

Bob Leslie's music is now available on a "NAME YOUR OWN PRICE" basis!
****************
“I can think of no other songwriter who has mined this rich vein
with such lyrical ease and with no mean ear for melody. ”
Alan Reid, Battlefield Band ... more

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