Unit 12: Scots song

Introduction

In this unit you will learn about the way in which the Scots language features in the song traditions of Scotland, and in particular the regional distinctiveness of song in terms of repertoire, song content and song type. The Scots song tradition has been an important touchstone for the use of Scots language as a means of cultural expression.

This unit will look at songs by region, and consider some of the ways in which Scots songs have helped develop and strengthen the Scots language.

Apart from well-known songwriters in Scots such as Robert Burns, there are major collections, localised traditions and resources – as well as individual singers – who have all played their part in developing the rich tradition that continues today, against a background of growing access to online digitised archives of Scots song, in both print and audio form.

Important themes to take notes on throughout this unit:

• Scots song collecting over the centuries – how collections came into being, including ways in which Scots songs have been passed on, collected and published
• the various types of Scots song
• the distinctive song traditions of particular areas of Scotland
• ideas of the “oral tradition”
• the influence of print and recorded media on Scots song traditions
• the recently-digitised resources which help to underpin the study and learning of Scots song
• the importance of the Scottish Travellers in preserving traditional songs
• how Scots song is used in the 21^st century.