Caledonian Castaways

by Caledonian Castaways

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about

The song the band is named after. Caledonian Castaways? “3 of Australia’s finest best Blues and Roots songwriters in 1 band!” according to respected PBS host Helen Jennings. Alex Burns, Tom McEwan and Steve Boyd. A special project – to write great songs across genres – with a common idea to tie them together. All the material speaks of the band members’ experience of being Scots who came to Australia. This is a typical Caledonian Castaways collaboration.
Alex brought this Hank Williams goes Fijian call and response melody to a rehearsal. What started as the tale of 10 pound migrants (that accounts for most of the band) grew – Scots have been coming to Australia since the white takeover started. And often in horrific conditions. There was aye a lot of weans lost at sea.
Alex leads on this, and Kilmarnock Stevie takes the second verse.
And the 10 pounds? About a million from the UK got cheap tickets to Australia from 1945 to ‘72 under its “Assisted Passage Migration Scheme”. It’s worked out great: the proof’s in your hands.

lyrics

Well thur laying aff the workers in the shipyard
He’s thinking ‘boot the wife and the weans
He’s thinking ‘boot this word emigration
It’s all the talk noo: things have changed
And all Becky’s ever known is home and family
The thought of leaving wells her eyes with tears
Years of memories pour from the bottle
She drains the glass still it won’t quell her fears
Caledonian castaways
12,000 miles of ocean leads the way
Caledonian castaways
It’s do or die, God willing, come what may
There was a time when Scotland’s days were filled with darkness
Poverty and famine plagued the land
Committed to the deep, some sang their children’s soul to sleep
’Board a treacherous ship they gambled their last hand
Caledonian castaways …
Those orphan hearts so young, claimed by a promise
With God behind the eight ball all the way
Abandoned and abused, just like slaves they were misused
Forgotten, godforsaken castaways
Caledonian castaways …

credits

released August 14, 2023

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about

Caledonian Castaways Melbourne, Australia

A group of ex-pat Scots from Melbourne’s blues/roots scene. Material covers amusing and heartwarming stories about journies from Scotland to Australia.
Beautiful original songs from Steve Boyd and Alex Burns. Tommy McEwan on drums, Melbourne Ska Orchestra singer Steve Montgomery fronting the group. Steel guitar, accordion, trumpet and harmonica.
Is this a new genre………… Hoots Roots! ... more