Get all 6 Dancing with Ghosts releases available on Bandcamp and save 30%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Tales of Auld Reekie, Re.Trad, Patterns Robins-Hetherington, The man in the hard hat, Solomon Tree, and Spirit of Beblow - Visions of Holy Island.
1. |
DinEidyn's Air
01:56
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2. |
Greyfriars Bobby
04:55
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Bobby Karl Robins & Andy Waterhouse
In a town far away from the isle whence he came
The faithful companion steadfastly remained
By the grave of his master, or so it is said
A best friend in life, never parted by death
Chorus: The headstone of John Gray was where he'd be found
'tween the wreaths and the flowers that littered the ground
Whatever the weather he'd maintain his guard
The one known as Bobby from Greyfriar's Kirkyard
Families would visit and all pay their respects
To loved ones who'd perished, take time to reflect
And then seek out Bobby with the food that they'd bring
A banquet was offered, a meal fit for a king
Chorus
His licence was purchased by the Provost who paid
For a collar to show he belonged, not a stray
And people would travel for miles just to see
The dog by his master in true company
Chorus
At the age of 16 Bobby too passed away
A statue was built there to show that all cared
Constructed by Brodie with fountains regaled
So that both man and dog might enjoy Adam’s ale
Chorus
Now some say this story just cannot be true
Though we speak of one Bobby, perhaps there were two
There was talk of the town telling little white lies
So the crowds still had Bobby with those large sad brown eyes
Chorus
The one known as Bobby from Greyfriar'sKirkyard
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3. |
A Person of Qualitie
05:51
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Person of Qualitie Karl Robins & Andy Waterhouse
December 1653 chosen by his peers to be Lord Protector, Cromwell ruled the day
Wales and Ireland, England too, all would feel his iron rule - past royalists in Scotland had to pay
The fines imposed were most severe, Parliament’s message - crystal clear:
“Your king is dead, the Commonwealth will stay”
Since summer 1633 James Baillie, man of property, he had been the Laird at Corstophine
But lands were lost through harder days, there always was a price to pay with public fines and other debts unseen
He sought solace in a bottomless glass, at the Black Bull Inn he did relax
With the feminine charms of a sympathetic quean
Lord Forrester was known at Corstophine
Beyond the castle walls that couldn’t keep him in
That titled man was common born James Baillie:
A noted laird, a ‘person of qualitie’
He’d always had a roving eye, a scoundrel’s charm, a ready lie and women to amuse him as he pleased
With morals of a dubious kind and scornful of the ties that bind, his latest mistress was his married niece
Christian Hamilton was her name, their baby daughter called the same
James swore that his old ways would surely cease
Late August 1679, by the doocot they’d arranged a time, for meeting underneath the sycamore
And the lady standing so severe, saw that James would not appear, just as he’d done so many times before
She sent her maid to The Black Bull Inn, where she knew James would bide within
In the arms of Bessie Ritchie she was sure
Lord Forrester’s behaviour - bound to shock
At one kirk session they started taking stock
Though took no action against James Baillie:
Such a noted laird, a ‘person of qualitie’
The Laird now summoned, staggered back, with the lady’s maid all dressed in black, to Christian by the doocot where she’d stayed
He stood his ground, he called her ‘whoor’, in anger she could stand no more, she swore that for this insult he would pay
In time a dreadful row ensued, she grabbed his sword, she ran him through
And there he died, cut down by his own blade
At the trial Christian so contrite, there within the judge’s sight, she pitifully pleaded for her life
Her fate she couldn’t reconcile, the lady claimed she was with child, soon to be a mother and a wife
Found guilty though, the axe did wait, the death of James had sealed her fate
Her long robe bloodied by the headsman’s knife
Now the White Lady’s ghost can be seen they say
By the doocot where she dwelt that fateful day
Tired of waiting for her James Baillie:
That lamented gentleman, a ‘person of qualitie’
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4. |
Arthur's Seat
03:09
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5. |
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6. |
Messrs Burke & Hare
05:04
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Messrs Burke and Hare Karl Robins & Andy Waterhouse
Doctors and physicians in the reign of George IV
They pushed the bounds of medicine in the jewel of the north
Dissection of the human form the order of the day
For an audience of students who were always glad to pay
The law was clear, take only those the court decreed must die
So corpses for anatomy remained in short supply
This need for fresh cadavers led to robbing of the graves
And families had to guard their loss to see that all slept safe
When a tenant in a lodging house was found dead in his sleep
Two friends removed the body for the bounty that they’d keep
The princely sum of £7 was gratefully received
And an easy money making scheme was born, they did believe
Chorus 1: They were Messrs Burke and Hare
And you’ll find that none compared
To the quality of merchandise they’d sell
Freshly killed and boxed
Then sent to Dr Knox
For his lectures on anatomy from hell
So for much of 1828 deliveries were made
As murders were committed and they plied their deadly trade
Helping souls along their way, now free from worldly woes
Those missing poor unfortunates last seen near Tanner’s Close
Most were helpless women who were plied with alcohol
Then suffocated where they lay, discarded like rag dolls
Daft Jamie though put up a fight and nearly did escape
Unlike the poor young boy whose spine was cruelly snapped in rage
Chorus 1
Mrs Mary Docherty was the final one to die
Discovered in Burke’s bedroom by James and Annie Gray
The police were quickly called and arrests they soon were made
Hare saved himself - King’s evidence was the price he paid
Burke made a full confession, said he was the one to blame
Hare and Knox, though never charged were treated with disdain
Condemned by his own words then they sentenced Burke to hang
Followed by dissection as the crowds they cheered and sang
His bones were sent off for display and a death mask it was made
To remind the world of William Burke’s foul deeds and evil ways
His skin was used to make a book that all could plainly see
And the atrocious crimes of West Port all went down in history
Chorus 2: They were Messrs Burke and Hare
Until the trial judge did declare
That William Burke must forfeit his own life
God damned his wretched soul
When the death bell, it did toll
And twenty thousand saw him hanging high
Chorus 1
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7. |
Jingling Geordie
03:27
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The Jinglin’ Geordie 05 Karl Robins & Andy Waterhouse
If money’s short and there comes a time
When you cannae make ends meet
George Heriot is the man you need
For a service so discreet
Just seek him oot by the toon’s High Kirk
At the booth that bears his name
The goldsmith known to one and all
Lending money without shame
Chorus: Rose and Angel, the Noble too
Friends to count on there for you
With golden faces shining through
Unite for the Jinglin’ Geordie
Rose and Angel, the Noble too
Friends to count on there for you
With golden faces shining through
Unite for the Jinglin’ Geordie
Unite for the Jinglin’ Geordie
Well he’s travelling doon to Lonnan noo
To sit at the king’s right hand
Appointed goldsmith to James’s court
The finest in the land
Acknowledged by the royal pair
A token o’ their esteem
From the wisest fool in Christendom
And his wife the Danish queen
Chorus
Now the Jinglin’ Geordie is nae mair
And he’s drawn his final breath
They’ll lay him doon in St Martin’s Field
Such a gentleman in death
He’ll be remembered in his home toon
For the school that bears his name
A hospital for the poor wee bairns
Wi nae fathers, mairs the shame
Chorus
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8. |
Johnny One Arm
04:22
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9. |
Where the Ghosts hide
04:20
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Where the ghosts hide
There’s a face I’ve seen before, never knew her name, or from whence she came
There’s a light that’s shining through, it's strange to me and you, but its right there just the same
I hear the knocking on the door, the shuffle on the floor, the window opens wide
In the place where the ghosts hide
There’s the stormy ocean waves, the place for rogues and knaves, the wilderness that calls,
From the distance comes a cry, the cool breeze breathes a sigh, and the moon sees all..
Spirits dancing jigs and reels, the kisses lovers steal, the hooded soldiers ride,
In the place where the ghosts hide..
Ref
Who will brave the night, and who would take to flight, and who will face the light
In another world?
Time is no one’s friend, these days will always end, shadows sleep inside
In the place where the ghosts hide..
There a sound of sea on shore, a shadow takes the floor, and disappears
There’s a crumbling mansion wall, a picture in the hall, with a smile that turns to tears
I hear the whispers in the night, a raven takes to flight, and the wild winds cry
In the place where the ghosts hide...
2nd lyrics:
Circling mists and shapes that shift, escape in evenings fall
Soft wind sighs and tear stained cries sound through the corridors
Thoughts ....that remain unheard, meaning has no rhyme
In the place where the ghosts hide.
Held by a silver thread which binds you close and ties your eyes
Leading you through the wave of dreams she takes you by the hand
Tide it ebbs and flows, light is fading fast ,
In the place where the ghosts hide.
And with the dawn see darkness done, and night retreats in waves
Breathe in the air, and see all around, shake off all despair
There’s no need to fear, oall the voices that you're near,
In the place where the ghosts hide
Who will brave the night, and who would take to flight,
Who will face the light in another world
Time is no one's friend these days will always end, shadows sleep inside
In the place where the ghosts hide
Repeat first verse.
Repeat refrain.
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10. |
The Deacon
05:07
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The Deacon
Some say I'm a rogue and a scoundrel, with Mistresses two and a wife
By day I'm a gent and a craftsman
Then a gambler and thief of the night, a gambler and thief of the night
I'm known in this town as the Deacon, Brodie's my family name
Serving and robbing the wealthy
Keys by the door, who's to blame, leave their keys by the door who's to blame?
Chorus
Bring em down boys, Brodie's the man, and the excise is waiting this day
Bring em down boys, wait there's treachery here
You sold me away, the King's ransom held sway
And its Me Deacon Brodie who'll pay!
And so I chose well my companions, Andrew Ainslie, George Smith and John Brown
A locksmith, a thief, a shoemaker
And all were well known in the town..all were well known in the town
And I was a cabinet maker, and I entered the houses so grand
Of the rich and the proud of Auld Reekie
To carry out crimes that I'd planned..carry out crimes that I'd planned
Chorus
But there was a twist to my story, George Williamson hot on my trail
So I took my leave of Auld Reekie
And on the endeavour set sail..on the endeavour set sail
Its route went from Flanders to Flushing, and onwards to old Amsterdam
Its there that I made my last journey
Brought home now for trial to stand...brought home now for trial to stand
Chorus
My name I beseech you's John Dixon, let no man around here forswear
For I have no knowledge of Brodie
Or his terrible crimes here declared, his terrible crimes here declared
'Tis a shame that my fate is decided, and the rope be my necklace of death
As I take my place on the gallows
Will you witness the Deacon's last breath? Will you witness the Deacon's last breath?
Chorus
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11. |
Standard Guage Folly
04:32
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