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.

Westray Dons

from The Barren Fig (2019) by Bob Leslie

/

  • Streaming + Download

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

      £0.50 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Based on a tale that a Spanish Armada lifeboat ran ashore on Westray, an island in Orkney. Supposed descendants of the Spaniards were referred
to as “Westray Dons” and credited as being great seamen and smugglers. They adopted Orkney names, thus “Hugo Pérez” would become “Hugh Petrie”.

lyrics

Westray Dons

The Westray Dons are dark and bowld
At sea they hiv nae fear
Fir Philip's cause, their faithers saild
Fae distant Finisterre
When Draco sent the Spanish fleet
Flee'n o'er the faem
That steady sailors an their sons
wid caa these Isles their haem

Westray Dons, Westray Dons,
Spanish blood an Orkney herts
Cheust keep them sailin on

While tradin in the Shetland ports
wi goods fae Pierowall
twa kegs o oail, Hugh Petrie bowt
an laid them in the howld
Some oors fae shelter, night cam doon
cheust as the wind an sea
in their quahrrel tossd the watter till
the sailors thowt they'd dee

Said Don Petrie,
"Tak the wheel, gudeman
an keep her oan her wey
Wir fate we maan tak in wur hands
if we'll see land the day"
An then tae calm the stormy waves
he broachd the kegs o oail
that smoothd the seas an let them sail
tae herbour oan Fair Isle
Westray Dons

Don Gilbert widna pey the Earl
aal he claimd wis his due
Sae Patrick he hid taen da laa
tae apprehend the crew
That wi'oot licence fae the Earl
tae Norroway they'd saild
an tae Kirkwall shackld they maan go
tae thole it in his jail

Weel canny wis Don Gilbert
an he bid the earlsmen bide
"'Tis ower late tae sail the night,
Stey till the mornin tide"
The chin an brandy flow'd sae free
it laid them oan the flair
sae the Westray Dons they stelt their boat
an the Earl cheust tore his hair
Westray Dons

credits

from The Barren Fig (2019), released February 20, 2019

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bob Leslie image

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

contact / help

Contact Bob Leslie

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Bob Leslie, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now