Nothing football related at all.
This is a love song.
And what does every fan have with their team, if not a turbulent love affair?
I deliberately chose this song to close the album as it gave another side to Dundee other than the loud and brash that is everywhere at football matches.
At times, I think this one sounds like the Everly Brothers!
Again the strings from Dundee University make an appearance.
As each of the strings were recorded almost individually or in twos, I did not hear this one fully until Mike had mixed it, virtually alone, as I had fallen asleep in the stuido.
I woke up just as he was running it through its last 'safety' play before letting me hear it and moving on...
I hate to admit it, but I teared up!
I'm very proud of this one.
I have since heard that this recording has been used at both weddings and funerals in Dundee... An honour that leaves me feeling a little strange.
This song was dedicated to the memory of Willie Dryden, one of the club's long standing servants, who died during the making of the album.
The astute will notice this track is 8m 13s long, but the song stops at 4m 49.
...this is deliberate...
lyrics
Cold winter was howling o'er moor and o'er mountain
and wild was the surge on the dark rolling sea,
when I met aboot daybreak a bonnie wee lassie,
wha' asked me the road and the miles tae Dundee.
Says I, "Ah young lassie, I cannae well tell ye.
The road and the distance, I cannae weel gie,
but you'll permit me tae gang a wee bittie,
I'll show you the road and the miles tae Dundee."
At once she consented and gave me her airm.
N'ere a word did I ask, wha' the lassie might be.
She appeared like an angel in feature and form,
as she walked by my side on the road tae Dundee.
I took a gold pin from the scarf in my bosom
and said, "Keep ye this in remembrance o' me."
Then bravely I kissed the sweet lips o' that lassie,
ere I parted wi' her on the road tae Dundee.
So here's tae that lassie, I ne'er can forget her
and ilka young laddie wha's listenin' tae me
and never forswear tae convoy a young lassie,
tho' it's only to show her the road tae Dundee.
Just to show her the road and the miles tae Dundee.
credits
from It's My Dundee,
released May 1, 2001
Joe 'Covenant' Lamb - All Guitars, All Vocals.
Strings beautifully arranged and orchestrated by Graeme Stevenson with the University of Dundee String Ensemble.
Written & Arranged by Joe Lamb, based on trad. tune.
Produced & Engineered by Joe Lamb and Mike Brown.
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