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Songs and Their Stories

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Titled "Return to Glenfinnan," our second CD showcases the band's collaboration. With the addition of new songs, styles, and ideas we have undergone a transformation, resulting in an enchanting fusion of

Celtic music.

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Traveler

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A large part of Paul's life has been hiking and exploring Scotland.
He has been an avid hiker and wild camper for many years.
Paul has hiked the ninety three mile 'West Highland Way,' many times.
The journey along the West Highland Way in Scotland is more than just a hike; its like a personal personal pilgrimage. In 2017 as he climbed Conic Hill, memories flooded back, and he found himself humming a melody he had wrote when he was younger.
Though the original words eluded him, inspiration struck, and he began to craft new lyrics that reflected his life's travels. The songs message is simple yet profound: happiness is always within reach; it's a choice we can make at any moment.

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Priest

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Introducing "Priest," the latest addition to our 2024 CD.
This lively fiddle song, crafted by Paul and Eiren Oh draws inspiration from the 18th-century tune "The Musical Priest." Eiren introduced the traditional fiddle tune to Paul, and over two weeks, Paul penned the lyrics and melody. The song tells the story of a priest navigating life's challenges, dedicated to saving and helping others, yet grappling with his own doubts about existence and what lies beyond.

 

Barefoot O'er Your Braes

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This song by Paul encapsulates the profound longing of a man separated from Scotland by thousands of miles, as he grapples with homesickness during the 'Covid,' lockdown.
Paul wrote this feeling a sense of  claustrophobia stemming from travel restrictions and his deep desire to return to his cherished homeland.
This track is one of three 'Covid' songs penned by Paul.
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Return to Glenfinnan

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Paul wrote this ' song during a hike in Glenfinnan, in the Western Highlands of Scotland.
The songs starts with labored breathing of a dying soldier. You will hear him say 'I just gotta get back to GlenfinnanIt is about a Scottish soldier who fought with 'Bonnie Prince Charlie,' during the '45.'He is seriously wounded and dying on the battlefield of Culloden.
 He reflects on his life as a farmer back in Glenfinnan. With each labored breath, his thoughts drift back to his beloved Glenfinnan and the son he longs to raise in peace. As he faces the end, the question lingers: will he find the solace he seeks,
or is his journey just beginning?

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Sacred Ground

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The song "Sacred Ground" serves as a tribute to the individuals who lost their lives in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, which remains the final battle fought on British soil. Recent attempts by land developers to obtain permits for developing the land surrounding the battlefield prompted strong opposition from the Scottish community, given its historical significance and picturesque setting.
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The Scottish people vehemently protested against any notion of development, leading to a complete halt in the plans. The thought of altering the very ground where 1500 Scottish and English soldiers were laid to rest was deeply distressing, prompting us to express our solidarity through the creation of this song.

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Destiny

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Destiny was a song inspired by the beach in 'Mallaig,' in the 'Western Scottish Highlands.'​
Paul used to go travel all around Scotland as a child and young man. In 2018 Paul visited a place where he used to visit as a boy. It hadn't changed in many years, and he sat down and though about his life, and all that had happened over the years. He mused what would life had been like if he knew then what he know now. Everyone has their own destiny

 

Elvinhame​​

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This tune was inspired by a forest on Loch Lomond in  Scotland. It's part of the 'West Highland Way,' hike. It's an old forest with huge pine trees.
In the deepest parts of the forest that are wet and damp, you will find
'Fairy Tree fungus,' growing on the trees.

 

As a wee bairn, Paul was told stories about the evil 'Queen of the Elves,' who lived in the woods of Scotland. She is beautiful, but can kill a man at a glance if she wants to.
On this particular hike, Paul came across a great tree covered in 'Fairy Fungus, and it was dark and spooky. That was the beginning of the song, he never actually saw the Elven Queen, but she was probably there.....

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 Sailing

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'Sailing,' was originally penned in 2017 by Paul when the band was the trio known as 'Macgilliossa.' ​The song draws inspiration from the historic battlefield of Killiecrankie in the central highlands of Scotland.
This is where a legendary encounter unfolded between Scots and British forces. ​
It tells the tale of an English soldier, pursued by Scottish Highlanders, who made a daring leap over a ravine to escape. In a surprising twist, the Scots applauded his bravery, allowing him to go free.
The song explores his possible journey as he leaves the army behind to forge a new life in the American colonies.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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