Come burl around my body, Scottish blood / I’ll try not to spill a drop / Oh, I’m sure you’ve spilled enough / And the English fucking rule / Who mean nothing to these times / Ah, run forever in my veins, bold Scottish blood /
09 September 2024 | James Porteous | Clipper Media Blues
| Frightened Rabbit performing at SXSW in 2013 |
Frightened Rabbit were a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. Initially a solo project for vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchison, the final lineup of the band consisted of Hutchison, his brother Grant (drums), Billy Kennedy (guitar, bass), Andy Monaghan (guitar, keyboards), and Simon Liddell (guitar). From 2004, the band were based in Glasgow. Some music fans (yourself included) still think of them as one of the best, most original rock bands of the era. (Wikiepedia)
Scottish Winds (Frightened Rabbit)
Lyrics: Scottish Winds (Frightened Rabbit)
[Verse 1]
Come gather in my lungs, Scottish wind
Belt out your blackest poems
As the sea around you sings
When that drone takes to the air
A single note to raise my hair
Carry songs beyond my lungs cold, Scottish wind
[Verse 2]
Come fall upon my shoulders, Scottish rain
And dissolve all of the worry
That has hunched this back of mine
So let the hurt run down the drain
To the reservoir one day
I’ll add a drop of my own worries to a dram
[Verse 3]
Gather heavy in these lungs Scottish winds
All the fag smoke in the ether
Of the grouse has clipped your wings
Now I cough just like my granddad
And his grandpa before him
Ah, blow youth into these lungs, oh, Scottish wind
[Verse 4]
Come burl around my body, Scottish blood
I’ll try not to spill a drop
Oh, I’m sure you’ve spilled enough
And the English fucking rule
Who mean nothing to these times
Ah, run forever in my veins, bold Scottish blood
[Verse 5]
And the whisper to my mouth, soft Scottish winds
Just enough to say “I love you”
To the girl who keeps me sane
Take the stupid things I’ve said
Blow them miles and miles away
Thank you in advance, Scottish wind
Thank you in advance, Scottish wind
A Frightened Rabbit EP is an EP by Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, released on 31 October 2011 on Atlantic Records as a free download and on ten-inch, limited edition vinyl.[1] Self-produced by the band, A Frightened Rabbit EP was the band’s first release on Atlantic, and the first to feature contributions from guitarist Gordon Skene.
The EP features guest appearances from Camera Obscura vocalist Tracyanne Campbell and singer-songwriter Archie Fisher.
Writing and composition
On the band’s official website, vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchison released a “track by track” guide to the EP,[2] with Hutchison stating that the opening track, “Scottish Winds”, was written almost entirely in his head. “I think the initial nugget came from the fact that it was an extremely windy day. […] I didn’t have an instrument to hand and would never start strumming one out on a bus, so to speak. So I wrote the lyrics out on my phone and when I got to the cottage I picked up a guitar and it was just sort of… there.”[2]
Regarding “Fuck This Place”, Hutchison noted, “When it came to the writing, I had two parts in my head all along. I have been a big Camera Obscura fan for a long time and when Tracyanne said she’d be up for this, I was incredibly chuffed and her vocal is just beautiful. It’s fairly obvious what it’s about, though I don’t think it’s necessarily a love story.”[2]
The EP’s final track is a duet between Hutchison and singer-songwriter Archie Fisher. Hutchison stated, “It was such an honour to work with Archie. He’s a real Scottish legend, and my mum and dad couldn’t believe I was singing with one of their heroes. When I listen to this one, I think of the great day I spent at his house, mulling over the tune and listening to all his hilarious stories. A real privilege.”[2]
Track listing
All songs written by Frightened Rabbit, except where noted.
- “Scottish Winds”
- “Fuck This Place”
- “The Work” (Hutchison/Fisher)
Personnel
Frightened Rabbit
- Scott Hutchison – lead vocals, guitar
- Grant Hutchison – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Billy Kennedy – guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
- Andy Monaghan – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Gordon Skene – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Tracyanne Campbell – vocals (“Fuck This Place”)
- Archie Fisher – vocals, guitar (“The Work”)
