Championing the works of Robert Burns is not difficult for me. For me, as
a folk singer of both Gaelic and English, the importance of his musical and
literary legacy cannot be underestimated in the history of the world.
Where do I even begin?
To name a few classics, “Auld Lang Syne” is sung all over the world to bring
in the new year, while “Ae Fond Kiss” is one of the most devastating love
songs ever composed.

Admittedly, there were times as a child where I despised his beautiful
poetic meter; I blame the Scottish education system, for at Primary School
assemblies and Burns evenings we were forced, at the age of 8, to stutter
our way through large sections of Burns’ poetry onstage. We murdered it.
Our teachers probably wanted to murder us. All public humiliation aside
however, the melodies and lyrics to all of the songs stayed with me, and my
imagination was always utterly captivated by the stories, such as the tale of
Tam O’Shanter.

About 5 years ago I started gigging with a young guitarist who had rewritten
the melody to one of Burns’ songs, Fare Thee Weel. The song nearly floored
me the first time I heard it, and I decided I would do my darndest to get him to
record it on my next solo album.
The album in question, “Once Upon An Olive Branch”, comes out in late
2012. If you get the chance, have a wee listen and let me know what you
think. Join me on Facebook and Twitter!

http://maevemackinnon.com
Twitter: @maevemackinnon
Maeve Mackinnon on Facebook