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Silly Wizard Live - Donald McGillavry video

Lyrics * as sung here* are at the end of this description. This was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia on April 1, 1988. Donald McGillavry was a fictional character created by James Hogg. In a footnote to The London Literary Gazette's review dated November 11, 1820 of "The Jacobite Relics of Scotland" by James Hogg, where the song was first published, the Gazette stated: "Donald Macgillavry is here put for the Highland Clans generally." Gareth Davis wrote a comprehensive history of this song for Radio De Danann which can be found here: radiodedanann.blogspot.com Silly Wizard members in this clip: Andy M. Stewart: lead vocals, tenor banjo, whistle Phil Cunningham: accordion, piano, synthesizers, whistle, cittern, vocals John Cunningham: fiddle, vocals Gordon Jones: guitar, bodhran, vocals Martin Hadden: bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, vocals Donald come up the hill hard and hungry, Donalds come doon the hill wild and angry; Donald will clear the gouk's nest cleverly, [gouk = cuckoo] Here's to King James and to Donald McGillavry. Come like a weigh-bauk, Donald McGillavry, [weigh-bauk = scales] Come like a weigh-bauk, Donald McGillavry, Balance them fair, and balance them cleverly: Off wi' the counterfeit, Donald McGillavry. Donald come o'er the hill but his tether, man, As he were wud, or stang'd wi' an ether, man; [wud = mad][ stung by an adder] When he comes back, there's some will look merrily: Here's to King James and to Donald McGillavry. Come like a weaver, Donald McGillavry ...

Running time: 03:39

 

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