Loch Lomond - Colm R. McGuinness

Get 15% off Aran jumper(sweater) goodness at Skellig Gift Store w/Discount code: COLM23

#LochLomond #TheBonnieBanksOfLochLomond #Folk #FolkMusic #Scottish #Celtic

[ColmRMcGuinness]

What song should I cover for St. Patrick's day?

GO! GO! GO!

(Stay very handsome!)

[MurlocBerserker]

Colm in Belgium and the Netherlands we have a traditional kind of party called "Cantus", where among university students we drink lots of beer and sing old songs together (in groups as big as 4594 people, that's the record!). Loch Lomond is by far my favourite song to sing together and I just wanted to say that you made me incredibly happy by covering this!

[nikkolaus]

For anyone curious,

"Loch Lomond" is a traditional Scottish song that tells the story of a man who is captured after a battle and faces execution. The song is set near Loch Lomond, a large freshwater loch in Scotland. The lyrics express his longing to return to the loch, contrasting the "high road" and "low road." The "high road" symbolizes the living path, while the "low road" signifies the path of the dead. The man anticipates his spirit returning to Scotland before his body does, highlighting themes of love, loss, and the deep connection to one's homeland. The song is both poignant and reflective, often interpreted as a lament for the man's fate and his undying love for Scotland.

[lunachick]

My grandmother was born and raised in Scotland, near Loch Lomond. She came to the US, in her late teens. My mom said she would always sing this song to her, when she was little. 💕

[atraxuswraithe]

My grandma was from a Scottish and Irish family. She passed away a few years back, but listening to this song was like getting a hug from her. Thank you, Colm. You’ve brought my Grandma back to me.

[PsydenIII]

You know, I have no clue why this is a popular wedding song. Sure, it's a beautiful melody, but it is also incredibly sad. It's a farewell letter, written by an older brother to his younger brother while they were in prison. They were given a choice, one would die, the other would live. They argued all night on which one would die, until the younger brother feel asleep from exhaustion. The older, having already married his true love and had a child chose to die, and thus return to Scotland via the Low Road (the underworld), while his brother, who had yet to marry his sweetheart would return to Scotland via the High Road (the land of the living).

[adamoreillycork]

I'm Irish but I absolutely love this song. One of the first pieces I ever learned to play on the trumpet years ago. Being in a pub full of people singing it in Edinburgh was some experience.

[weaselmaster]

My father died some years ago. He had always wanted to visit Scotland, but never had the chance. My brother scattered some of his ashes on Lomond's shores...the last gift we could give.
Shortly afterward, I heard this song sung (not quite as well as Colm does!) and thought the lyrics spoke of his journey. He did indeed arrive in Scotland before me.

[CowboyCrossfire]

No matter how many times I've heard a song be sung, I feel like I'm hearing it for the first time again when Colm McGuinness sings it.

[cyclonegamez]

Lyrics:

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonny braes
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
For me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond


You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore you
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomond
Where in purple hue the Heilend hills we view
An' the moon comin' out in the gloamin

Oh you take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore you
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

The wee birdies sing and the wild flow'rs spring
And in sunshine the waters are sleepin'
But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again
Tho' the waefu' may cease from their grievin

Oh you take the high road and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore you
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

[andrewvachon]

Thank you for this, my grandfather ran the highland games in my state for years, I was wearing a kilt before I could walk. He was always a larger than life figure, thick accent, booming voice and a massive frame when he had his stroke seeing him in a broken state was earth shattering to me, I was only 9 or so, as we knew the end was coming he made sure I learned this song so I could sing it at his funeral. It is one of my greatest shames in life that I broke down and couldn’t sing. I have a love hate relationship with this song as it is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard regardless of version, but it also reopens the wound. Long story short, this was beautiful and I thank you for making it.

[DirtyySilver]

Scottish here! Love all your tunes lad, particularly the Irish ones, and I’ve hoped for a long time you’d do something Scottish. Literally made my day! Alba gu bràth!

[tomahkaros]

As of today my grandfather is laid to rest after 95 years on this Earth! And to see that you post such a wonderful song that is fitting for the moment. Thank you for this so much Colm, thank you so very much.

[atheosathonille]

Jeez, the note differences between 3:00 and 3:45.
His voice is so damn impressive, truly blessed with that gift.

[RestingScotFace]

Every Colm video that comes out.
“Oh nice I like that song. I’m interested in his take”
And yet every time I’m somehow surprised his version is ONCE AGAIN the best version of that song ever made.

[ven]

Went to Loch Lomond as a kid, still remember it. :)

[Valensiakol]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal for one person to accumulate this much talent.

[eutytoalba]

I'm in Arizona, and my younger bros and I used to sing parts of this as kids. We never knew where we got it, and that was well before any of us even knew where Scotland was. For some reason, we understood the "before ye" line as a joke, maybe like a taunt in a race. Kid logic. 😛

[spmoran]

I visited Scotland not so long ago . And stayed at a hotel run by an Irish family on the Banks of Loch Lomond . I saw eagles in the mountains and dipped my feet into the water cold but good on the feet . I got bit by midges every day, but it was some of the best days ever.

[martinmueller]

I may not be Scotish, this song brings me to tears because the melody just tugs my heart. You never fail to continue to impress me Colm McGuinness. Keep it up!