I only heard of them while I was in the initial stages of my Gaelophilia/Celtophilia (probably late Senior High School to early Freshmen college), but the songs of Runrig, the band that I’m talking about, are just so gosh-darn great. I can really feel the Scottish-ness of their music and the poetic manner of their lyrics. They may be unheard of in the Philippines, but I’ve read that they’re quite popular not only in their homeland at Scotland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Canada, and even the U.S. as well (although I think that I’m the only one in the Philippines who has heard of them). If Ireland has their U2, perhaps Scotland has their Runrig.
I much prefer the band’s pre-1997 line up over their current one since their relatively old tunes are more likeable.
Here are some of my all-time favorites:
1. “News from Heaven”
I’ve fallen for damsels before, but I’ve never fallen for a song… until I heard this play. Rory MacDonald reminds me of David Bowie, by the way.
“Late people come, take the stage
Famous moments vanish without trace
Trees grow tall, fields grow wheat
Woman grows older, man grows weak
But now you’re here, I feel no fear
I can’t believe the news from heaven…♪”
2. “Protect and Survive”
It’s a nostalgic song with epic lyrics. I really dig Malcolm Jones and his mandolin-playing in the middle.
“You took your sacrifice to the gods of war,
Traded your children’s lives for a mass of gold
You beat your plowshares into swords
Breathing free…♫
Once in a lifetime, you live and love
Once in a lifetime, you die
Once in a moment, the sun goes down
Protect and survive…♪“
3. “Stepping down the Glory Road”
This upbeat song about culture and celebration comes to mind whenever I’m euphorically jubilant about an achievement. I love Malcolm’s accordion solo.
“So resurrect the bards
Liberate the word inspired
Stepping down the Glory Road…♫”
4. “Skye”
Listen to this song and let the music tour you around the Scottish isle of Skye. I think I busted a gut while listening to Malcolm’s guitar solo. It was too awesome!!!
“How can’t you see the wilderness growing free
Time wounded and scarred, stroking away the years
It’s hard to believe but memories are old ghosts
Mountains of black and gold, sunsets falling over the moor
Oh, take me there
‘S na horo eile, horo bho
‘S na horo bho, hillean o
‘S na horo eile ho, take me there…♫”
5. “Healer in Your Heart”
Donnie Munro’s main vocals blend wonderfully with Rory’s back-up (and I dig Rory’s bass).
“For the universe and the stars are around you now
But the healer in your heart is only a breath away
There’s silence and there’s blindness in a raging world
But the healer in your heart is only a moment away…♪”
6. “Tear down These Walls”
Indeed, it is a pity that Donnie had to leave the band in 1997. He really was and will always be the original voice of Runrig.
“Tear down these walls
All men were born the same
You came here with nothing
but naked and a name, oh, a name…♪
Tear down these walls they keep raising for you…♫”
* * * * *
Fast forward more than a decade after Donnie’s departure, Runrig is still a popular band with new members and relatively new songs. Their current vocalist, Bruce Gunthro, is great but I wish that they could have a reunion concern with Donnie, though.
RUNRIG GU BRATH!
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