And a’ the best till then – it’s the end of an era

ROBBIE SHEPHERD’S retiral from presenting Take

the Floor was the big news in the music world last week and, after a lifetime of listening to him, I am going to miss his unique articulate, informative and friendly tones.

Having turned 80 this year, he has given many years of pleasure to generations of listeners and been a source of great encouragement to young bands and musicians.

Replacing him is Spean Bridge accordionist and shinty star Gary Innes. Gary’s energy and charisma are just the qualities needed to fill these very large shoes.

I will return to Robbie and to Gary in the coming weeks.

A new song for CalMac

WRITING songs is, for me, still a bit of mystery. Mostly when the process is started, the end result is unknown – and some songs get started and remain unfinished for years.

There are some subject matters that dominate how my brain works when it comes to composing and the sea is certainly one of them.

So when Peter Griffiths at CalMac asked if Skipinnish could provide a song for a new advert, at least the subject matter was familiar.

After looking through some old stuff, the bones of the lyrics published here were found and then, along with Robert Robertson, the song was completed.

CalMac is releasing the advert next week online and we’ll be performing it for the first time this Sunday night at the Jura Festival, from where the CalMac team will be doing a live- stream.

Even once a song is complete and recorded, it is impossible to know how it will be received so it is always a slightly nerve-wracking experience.

We had planned to release our own new Skipinnish single at the end of this month but CalMac’s timetable has meant we’re delayed – no further comment on that.

Anyway, as with ferries, you can’t have two songs leaving the pier at the same time, so our other song will need to wait till October when this one is clear of the link-span with the bow doors shut.

Home on the Sea

Composed b and Robert Ryo Abnegrtusso MnacPhail Chorus Bring us home on the sea In the warm island weather As the ferry leaves the harbour We again will be together Bring us home on the sea Many summers passed away Since the last days we parted But the blessings of the ocean Bring us back to where we started Bring us home on the sea From the waters of the Clyde To a Hebridean voyage The culture of our Islands Our roads of skill and knowledge Bring us home on the sea See the wash roll off the bow And caress familiar colour Her black and white of beauty As Red Lions proudly guard her Bring us home on the sea And we’ll see again the men Wearing symbols of their station On the bridge-wing and the stern Tying ropes of generations Bring us home on the sea All the wonders of the world They will never quell the burning Or the power of the yearning For the day we’ll be returning Bring us home on the sea