Story Behind The Song

I was an exile from Scotland for 35 years and everytime I came home to see the folks I always noticed the sign for this wee village called Ecclefechan and always said I would write a song about this place. 35 Years later I wrote the lyrics, composed the tune, recorded a backing track all in the same day and sang it that evening at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Song Description

This tells the story of a journey through Scotland from North to South and from East to West and some of the things that happened in between.

Lyrics

Ecclefechan

My journey when it started eleven years ago
At first went like a hurricane but then became a blow
I started in the highlands in a place that's no weel kent
As aff I went exploring wi ma wee dug and my tent

CHORUS
So listen tae ma story and the places that I've seen
When I passed thro' Ecclefechan on the way to Gretna Green
By the time I reached the comfort of Annan's Fairy Glen
I'd forgotten where I'd been so I did it all again

Frae Oban doon tae Stirling tae Perth and then Dundee
Across the Forth Tae Edinburgh where I had ma tea
I sauntered then across tae Ayr took Moffat in my stride
Then tae Galloway and Alloway where Rabbie used tae bide.

CHORUS

I sailed across the ocean tae the islands far and wide
I even took a wee trip on a steamer up ra Clyde
I wandered up an doon the glens frae Skye tae Aiberdeen
And then to Ecclefechan on the road tae Gretna Green

CHORUS

Now before ma journey ended and this story I could tell
I travelled North I travelled South and East and West as well
Then I headed for Dumfries and the journey's end is near
What happened doon in Kelso well I'll no be telling here

So Listen tae ma Story and the places that I've seen
When I passed thro' Ecclefechan on the way tae Gretna Green
By the time I reached the comfort of Annan's Fairy Glen
I'd forgotten where I'd been so I did at all again
I'd forgotten where I'd been so I did at all again.