Scotland’s Story – Theater het Kielzog

Scotland’s Story

“We’re all Scotland’s story and we’re all worth the same” Beautiful words from this song, we loved it so much that we decided to call our latest record Scotland’s Story and name the 2021/2022 theater shows after this album.

It is also a little personal to David Myles, as some people might know his father is from Scotland, so part of his story started there. So now we have haggis and bagpipes in the Netherlands.

In the words of William, Scotland welcomes everyone and everyone contributes to the story of Scotland. Everyone contributes to the culture of Scotland in every possible way, Haggis is no longer just the national dish, William enjoyed Pizza and Shawarma there.

Background Information Scotland’s Story

Originally by The Proclaimers, a version of this song was played at Nelson Mandela’s 1993 welcome to the city of Glasgow after this release from prison. He was given the symbolic keys to the city 12 years earlier in 1981 while still in prison. The special visit was a wonderfull occasion for much singing and dancing, the dancing was done by Nelson Mandela himself on stage at a rally for freedom.

Nelson Mandela’s Welcome to the city of Glasgow is the tune we are playing on the bagpipes at the end of the song. A totally brilliant tune by Blair Douglas who was a founder member of Runrig. We connected the lyrics by the Proclaimers by accident to this tune and we ended up with a wonderfull song and a great story.

Lyrics Scotland’s Story

Michael McGrory from west Donegal
You came to Glasgow with nothing at all
You fought the landlord then the Africa Korps
When you came to Glasgow with nothing at all

Abraham Caplan from Vilnius you came
You were heading for New York but Leith’s where you’ve stayed
You built a great business which benefits all
Since you came to this land with nothing at all

In Scotland’s story I read that they came
The Gael and the Pict, the Angle and Dane
But so did the Irishman, Jew and Ukraine
They’re all Scotland’s story and they’re all worth the same

Joseph D’Angelo dreams of the days
When Italian kids in the Grassmarket played
We burned out his shop when the boys went to war
But auld Joe’s a big man and he forgave all

In Scotland’s story I’m told that they came
The Gael and the Pict, the Angle and Dane
But where’s all the Chinese and Indian names?
They’re in my land’s story and they’re all worth the same

Christina McKay, I learned of your name
How you traveled south from Delny one day
You raised a whole family in one room they say
And the X on the line stands in place of your name

So in the old story I’ll bet that I came
From Gael and Pict and Angle and Dane
And a poor migrant girl who could not write her name
It’s a common old story but it’s mine just the same

All through the story the immigrants came
The Gael and the Pict, the Angle and Dane
From Pakistan, England and from the Ukraine
We’re all Scotland’s story and we’re all worth the same
Your Scotland’s story is worth just the same

Scotland’s Story is available on CD and Vinyl

Our record at Plato!

Our wonderful record at our local record store: Plato in Groningen just received some Scotland’s Story albums! These lovers of vinyl took one look at it and immediately said: “good quality vinyl and great artwork as always with Rapalje!”

So if you are ever in Groningen, visit Plato at Oude Ebbingestraat 41 and maybe they will be playing Scotland’s Story in the store for you. Of course you can also get it in our online shop, if you want to have one of your own as soon as possible.

Buy Scotland’s Story on Vinyl here

Our new album “Scotland’s Story” finally arrived! – Rapalje Show 85

This is the edit from the facebook livestream at a very special place.
A very quiet place. We drove around with our van until we found internet.

Finally, finally, finally! It’s there! The album is called “Scotland’s Story”

One of the most famous stories of Scotland is the escape of Bonnie Prince Charly From Scotland. When he lost the war agains the English.

We thought we make a nice over-romantic painting of it. But actually it’s a photo with the atmosphere of a painting.

On the other side is a very old picture of complete idiotic men..

NEW ALBUM “SCOTLANDS STORY”

Continue reading “Our new album “Scotland’s Story” finally arrived! – Rapalje Show 85″

Video: Scotland’s Story at Castlefest

Two thousand years ago the Celts were driven off of mainland Europe.

All Celts? No, one band bravely resisted the influx of modern pop and rock and found their own place in the world of music.

Armed with nothing but their voices and instruments, Rapalje is raiding clubs and halls far and wide, looking for victims to carry away on a musical journey through Scottish Highlands, Irish valleys, taverns and inns.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s dance…

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Video: “Scotland’s Story” at William’s

In the car with friendly fans,

who brought me home after a gig, I heard this song. I knew immediately that I wanted to sing it too!

Continue reading “Video: “Scotland’s Story” at William’s”