ROAD TO THE ISLES
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Time signature 4/4
Tempo ~120 bpm |
Lyrics: Kenneth MacLeod (perhaps), 1917
Music: John McLellan (probably) |
ACCORDION NOTATION
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Beats per bar = 4
Dots (or equivalent) per beat = 1 |
Either row: Buttons 5 to 8
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Verse 1
"5 "6 | :7 "'8 '7 "'7* '7 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
A far croon - in' is pull-in' me a - way /
"'6 '6* | '5* "'4* "'5* '6* '6 "'7* "'7 '8 | .:7*
As take I wi' my cro-mack to the road. /
"'5 '6 | :7 "'8 '7 '7* "'7 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
The far Coo- lins are put-tin' love on me /
.8* | '7 "'8 "'7 '6 "'5 '6* "'7* '6* | .:6
As step I with the sun-light for my load. /
Chorus
"'7~ '8* | '8 "'5 "'5 '5 '8 "'5 "'5 '5 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
Sure by Tum-mel and Loch Ran-noch and Loch - a - ber I will go /
"6 "6* | '5* "'4* "'5* '6* '6 "'7* "'7 '8 | .:7*
By the heath- er tracks wi' heav-en in their wiles; /
"'7 '8* | "'8 '5 "'5 '5 '8 "'5 "'5 '5 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
If it's think-in' in your in-ner heart the brag-gart's in my step, /
.8* | '7 "'8 "'7 '6 "'5 '6* "'7* '6* | .:6
You've nev-er smelled the tan- gle o' the Isles. /
Optional Bridge
"'5 '6 | :7 "'8 '7 '7* "'7 | '6 "'7* "6 "6* .5*
Oh the far Coo - lins are put - tin love on me
.8* | '7 "'8 "'7 '6 "'5 '6* "'7* '6* | .:6
As step I with my cro-mack to the isles. /
"5 "6 | :7 "'8 '7 "'7* '7 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
A far croon - in' is pull-in' me a - way /
"'6 '6* | '5* "'4* "'5* '6* '6 "'7* "'7 '8 | .:7*
As take I wi' my cro-mack to the road. /
"'5 '6 | :7 "'8 '7 '7* "'7 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
The far Coo- lins are put-tin' love on me /
.8* | '7 "'8 "'7 '6 "'5 '6* "'7* '6* | .:6
As step I with the sun-light for my load. /
Chorus
"'7~ '8* | '8 "'5 "'5 '5 '8 "'5 "'5 '5 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
Sure by Tum-mel and Loch Ran-noch and Loch - a - ber I will go /
"6 "6* | '5* "'4* "'5* '6* '6 "'7* "'7 '8 | .:7*
By the heath- er tracks wi' heav-en in their wiles; /
"'7 '8* | "'8 '5 "'5 '5 '8 "'5 "'5 '5 | '6 "'7* "'6 '6* .5*
If it's think-in' in your in-ner heart the brag-gart's in my step, /
.8* | '7 "'8 "'7 '6 "'5 '6* "'7* '6* | .:6
You've nev-er smelled the tan- gle o' the Isles. /
Optional Bridge
"'5 '6 | :7 "'8 '7 '7* "'7 | '6 "'7* "6 "6* .5*
Oh the far Coo - lins are put - tin love on me
.8* | '7 "'8 "'7 '6 "'5 '6* "'7* '6* | .:6
As step I with my cro-mack to the isles. /
youTube VIDEOS
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Key: C ?
Tempo: 150 bpm Group: The Flummies Posted by: SonOfLabrador Richard Dyson (button accordion) - Tunker Campbell (vocals, acoustic and electric lead guitar, drum sequencing) - Leander Baikie (acoustic guitar, vocals) - Alton Best (acoustic guitar, vocals) - Simeon Asivak (electric bass) |
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Key: C
Tempo: ~120 bpm. Accordion: Hector Awol & Bob Hornett Posted by: bertosvids These talented Australian musicians (Hector, on the button accordion, and Bob, on the piano accordion) do not include the optional bridge after the chorus in their performance. They have recorded and posted more than a thousand tunes on youTube . I have learned a number of tunes by playing along with their youTube performances. |
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Key: C ?
Tempo: 125 bpm Group: The McScotts Clan Band Posted by: The McScotts Clan Band - Topic |
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Key: C?
Tempo: 130 bpm Performer: Busker James Posted by: buskerjames |
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Key: C ?
Tempo: 143 bpm Singer: Pat Hannah Posted by: Pat Hannah - topic |
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Key: D ?
Tempo: 143 bpm Group: Don Messer & Orchestra Posted by: Banjerholler |
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Key: D
Tempo: 143 bpm On violin: Louise Steinway On Guitar: Isaac Callender ? Posted by: Isaac Callender |
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Key: D
Tempo: 68 bpm Fiddle played by: Louise Steinway Posted by: Isaac Callender Played slowly. |
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Key: D ?
Tempo: 91 bpm Fiddler: Hap Boyer ? Posted by: Hap Boyer - Topic |
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Key: D
Tempo: 73 bpm Fiddler: Bruce Osborne Posted by: Bruce Osborne |
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Key: D ?
Tempo: 120 bpm Fiddler: Ned Landry Posted by: Golden Age Media |
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Key: Eb ?
Tempo: 200 bpm Artist: KOSB Posted by: glenzboyz |
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Key: Eb
Tempo: 130 bpm Artist: ? Posted by: Fredolin Feinbein |
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Key: E
Tempo: 120 bpm Performer: Gaberlunzie Posted by: Gaberlunzie - Topic |
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Key: E
Tempo ~116 bpm. Group: Gaberlunziel Posted by: Hazric This selection begins with the chorus and the bridge followed by verse 2 and the chorus and bridge followed by verse 3 ending with the chorus twice. Gaberlunziel is a Scottish folk duo, former Glasgow policemen Gordon Menzies and Robin Watson. They have recorded many albums of traditional and original Scottish folk songs over the past 30 years. |
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Key: F ?
Tempo: 200 bpm Group: Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Posted by: British Marches |
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Key: G
Tempo: 136 bpm Artist: Harry Hibbs Posted by: Harry Hibbs - Topic |
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Key: G
Tempo: 143 bpm Group: Hamilton Sound Posted by: Hamilton Sound NL |
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Key: G ?
Tempo: 125 bpm Singer: Peter Morrison Posted by: Peter Morrison - Topic |
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Key: G ?
Tempo: 57 bpm Singer: Moira Nelson Posted by: Moira Nelson - Topic |
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Key: G ?
Tempo: 125 bpm Singer: Richard Morrison Posted by: Richard Morrison - Topic |
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Key: G
Tempo: ~136 bpm. Accordionist: Poss Slaney Posted by: Newfieposs (Hohner Panther GCF Accordion) Verse 1 is played twice, followed by the chorus. Same pattern for verses 2 and 3. Then Verse 1 is again played twice (no chorus), but last phrase is repeated 3 times for closing. The optional bridge is not played at all. Poss is a well-known accordion player from Newfoundland and Labrador. |
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Key: Ab ?
Tempo: 115 bpm Singer: Andy Stewart Posted by: Andy Stewart - Topic |
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Key: Ab ?
Tempo: 107 bpm Group: Caden Concert Choir Posted by: Jen Broadhead |
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Key: A ?
Tempo: 83 bpm. Group: Ryan's Fancy Posted by quickaccent2006 Two songs - Road to the Isles is followed by The Beggarman. |
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Key: A ?
Tempo: 158 bpm Artists: ? Posted by: Twistin Tin |
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Key: A ?
Tempo: 88bpm Artist: David Keith Jones? Posted by: David Keith Jones - Topic |
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Key: A?
Tempo: 120 bpm Singer: Sydney MacEwan Posted by: Sydney MacEwan - Topic |
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Key: A ?
Tempo: 103 bpm Performer: Jimmy Wood Posted by: Jimmy Wood |
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Key: A ?
Tempo: 125 bpm Singer: Jame Nicol Posted by: James Nicol - Topic |
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Key: Bb ?
Tempo: 115 bpm Singer: Kenneth McKellar Posted by: Kenneth McKellar - Topic |
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Key: Bb ?
Tempo: 130 bpm Performer: Rob Crabtree Posted by: TheJoksmaster |
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BACKGROUND Materials and Links.
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LYRICS |
A far croonin' is pullin' me away As take I wi' my cromak to the road. The far Coolins are puttin' love on me, As step I wi' the sunlight for my load. CHORUS: 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 Braggart's in my step, You've never smelt the tangle o' the Isles. Optional Bridge: Oh, the far Coolins are puttin' love on me, As step I wi' my cromak to the Isles. It's by 'Sheil water the track is to the west, By Aillort and by Morar to the sea, The cool cresses I am thinkin' o' for pluck, And bracken for a wink on Mother's knee. It's the blue Islands are pullin' me away, Their laughter puts the leap upon the lame, The blue Islands from the Skerries to the Lews, Wi' heather honey taste upon each name. |
Glossary: |
Cromak: Shepherd's staff or stick, useful for long hikes.
Coolins: Large hills on the Isle of Skye. Loch: Lake Bracken: a fern-like plant. 'Sheil, Tummel, Rannoch, Lochaber, Shiel and Ailort: Landmarks on his route to the Isles. Skye, Skerries and Lews (Lewis): some of the many islands off the north-west coast of Scotland. |
Composition: |
There is some uncertainty about the composers of both the lyrics and the melody of this song. Click here for wikipedia info about the source of this song.
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