Piece image

Loch Lomond

Series: What's in a Song
From: Western Folklife Center Media
Length: 00:04:37

British pianist Leslie Howard tells the story behind this familiar Scottish classic. Read the full description.

Img00691_small British pianist Leslie Howard tells the story behind this familiar Scottish classic. Going from light to heavier versions of the song, we progressively begin to understand that it was borne out of a tragic event in Scotland's quest for independence.

To hear the full audio, sign up for a free PRX account or log in.

Also in the What's in a Song series

Piece image

Journey (00:03:08)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Geraldine Barney sings about how she drew strength from the teachings of her Navajo elders when she left the reservation to attend music school in a big Eastern city.
Piece image

Factory Girl (00:04:41)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Folklorist Archie Green rediscovers one of America's oldest work songs during a field trip in which he meets an aging mill worker who sings "Factory Girl" from her deathbed.
Piece image

The Last Letter (00:04:08)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Music historian Bill C. Malone recalls his family gathering around their first radio to listen to old country songs like "The Last Letter."
Piece image

La Llorona (00:03:00)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Musician Cipriano Vigil describes the myth that inspired the song "La Llorona".
Piece image

Man in the Bed (00:04:08)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Songwriter Dave Alvin describes his song "Man in the Bed" which tells the story of the last day of his father's life.
Piece image

Songs of the Humpback Chubb (00:04:02)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Ecologist Larry Stevens sings the saga of the Humpback Chubb, a small odd-looking fish that lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and which has been struggling to survive ...
Piece image

Bells of Ireland (00:02:46)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Rosalie Sorrels sings about the gardens her two Irish grandmothers used to keep, and how the flowers they grew were a reflection of their very different personalities.
Piece image

Escalante Adios (00:03:39)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Curly Musgrave talks about "Escalante Adios" his ballad that gives a cowboy's perspective of the establishment of a national monument in Southern Utah.
Piece image

Grand Canyon Gold (00:02:47)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Navajo singer Alger Greyeyes sings of the beauty of food and the meaning of a bounty from the earth.
Piece image

Don't Laugh at Me (00:03:58)
From: Western Folklife Center Media

Steve Seskin tells the story of "Don't Laugh at Me," a song that spawned a movement.

Piece Description

British pianist Leslie Howard tells the story behind this familiar Scottish classic. Going from light to heavier versions of the song, we progressively begin to understand that it was borne out of a tragic event in Scotland's quest for independence.

1 Comment Atom Feed

Caption: PRX default User image

Review of Loch Lomond

Presents the historical context and story behind the words of Loch Lomond in a simple direct narrative tied to differing versions (interpretations) of the song. Selected clips of differing Loch Lomond
singers reflect the somber mood the piece offers - without being a "sad song". Ideal for history component behind the songs for use in secondary school or college classrooms.

Broadcast History

Originally broadcast July 24, 2005 on NPR's Weekend Edition.

Musical Works

"Loch Lomond" performed by Martha Tilton with Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, Leslie Howard on piano, and tenor Bill Crofut.

Additional Files

Related Website

http://www.westernfolklife.org