The Glasgow Barons, Govan’s orchestra, team up with singer songwriter Norrie MacIver to release their debut album, Songs of Govan Old – a collection of material celebrating the Glasgow neighbourhood’s rich heritage.

The album is a tapestry of stories from the vibrant, close-knit community of Govan’s days gone by and pairs Scots and Gaelic folk music, rooted in the tradition of social commentary, with the stunning sounds of a string orchestra.

Govan’s ship building era is brought back to life as The Glasgow Barons and Norrie celebrate the area’s working class heroes and heroines, and recognise its Gaelic population.

Songs like Mary, which pays tribute to rent strike activist and former Bailie of Govan Mary Barbour, recognise some of Govan’s most iconic figures. Elsewhere, Lady Elder celebrates philanthropist Isabella Elder who promoted the education and welfare of Govan residents. Songs of Govan Old also sees Govan’s boy soldier WW1 Private Lawrence Nealis honoured, while Latha Na Fèille tells the tale of the Glasgow Gaels’ historic connection between this part of Glasgow and the Highlands, through the eyes of the Govan Fair.

Ten of the 13 track lyrics are penned by Norrie, while the remaining three see the work of Govan poets set to song, namely John Murray’s “A Flea in the Lug” and “Neilsen and His Bride”, and Bass Kennedy’s “The Clyde”.

The album release is the culmination of a two-year heritage project. Songs of Govan Old was first commissioned by The Glasgow Barons in 2018 and Norrie worked to uncover material about the area’s past with local historians and custodians of Govan’s heritage, The Govan Reminiscence Group.

Much of the work was then premiered in Govan Old Parish Church with a 15-piece string orchestra conducted by The Glasgow Barons’ Artistic Director Paul MacAlindin, between August 2018 and July 2019.

Norrie MacIver said: “To write new material based on the true accounts of life in Govan and get to know key figures from Govan’s past was a real privilege. I wanted to try and feel what it would be like to have grown up in this part of the city.

I was delighted to take part in this project and to collaborate with an orchestra like The Glasgow Barons. It’s been fantastic to see the project grow from our first show back in 2018 to releasing this collection of songs. Govan has a great and important heritage and I hope people can connect with that through this album.”

Paul MacAlindin, Artistic Director of The Glasgow Barons, said: “As a regeneration orchestra, we take pride in promoting Govan’s heritage and culture far and wide and telling the positive stories from this area. This album was the next step in getting these marvellous songs out there that give people a fresh perspective on Govan.

We couldn’t have produced Songs of Govan Old without the support of the Govan Reminiscence Group who work tirelessly to tell Govan’s story and we’re grateful to them for sharing their knowledge. It’s wonderful to release this album, bringing these songs and stories together in one place for people to rediscover and enjoy.”

Norrie, originally from the Isle of Lewis, is joined on vocal and acoustic guitar on the album by five representatives of The Glasgow Barons: Seonaid Aitken and Katrina Lee on violin, Patsy Reid on viola, Alice Allen on cello and Ben Burnley on bass.

Track listings

1. Lizzie

2. The Clyde

3. Soldier Boy

4. Cha Tig An Latha

5. Mary

6. Govan Boys

7. Neilsen and His Bride

8. Baile Ghobainn

9. The Pride of the Clyde

10. Betsy

11. Lady Elder

12. A Flea in the Lug

13. Latha Na Fèille