Band C.D. with Track Details

The band’s CD “The Souters – A Common Riding Celebration” is now on sale for £10.

It can be bought in Selkirk at McCudden’s Newsagent’s in the High Street, or ordered by phone for mail order:

   01750 20513 if you want to pay by cheque
   01750 20745 if you want to pay by credit card

Click on track detail below (where available) to listen.


For further details email: info@selkirksilverband.co.uk

Track Details

1 “The Burley’s cried, the flags hang high …” and so starts the celebration of our ancient Common Riding on the Nicht Afore the Morn when the band starts the first of its two marches round the old triangle of the High Street, the Back Row and the Kirk Wynd leading the procession with “Auld Lang Syne” and “The Nicht Afore the Common Riding” before performing a short programme on the platform in the Market Square.
2 The build up and weeks of expectation are finally brought to an end when we head off from the West Port on our second circumambulation of the auld toon with “Hail Smilin’ Morn” and “Sandon” as the first drum sounds at 06:00 on the great day itself.
3 Our brief stop outside the County Hotel where “Her Bright Smile” is played and sang with great enthusiasm is traditionally the point where the Colonials join the foot procession and is where the flags of the ancient crafts fall in for the march along to the Victoria Halls for the bussin’ of the burgh flag.
4 It is to the tune of “Jessie’s Dream” that the band leads the procession along the High Street to deliver the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer to the venue for the first ceremonial duty of his great day.
5 A brief respite while the flag is bussed allows the band to enjoy a well earned cup of tea before the procession heads off again toward the Market Square with the first rendition of the day of “Maggie” and “The Riders o’ the Marches”.
6 At the beat of the second drum at 07:00 the procession, with horses in tow, leave the Market Square for the longest march (and blow!) of the day to the water side and it’s “A’ the Airts” a’ the way.
7 The crowds disperse at the waterside and head home for a spot of breakfast but there’s the small matter of leading the ancient crafts back up the Green to the Market Square before the band members can enjoy their breakfast; “The Trooper” and “Auld Selkirk Toon” soon see us there.
8 It’s with the second airing of “Maggie” and “The Riders o’ the Marches” that we depart once again from the Market Square, this time for the Toll. Charlie’s Brae marks the point where the band changes over and strikes up with “The Boys of the Old Brigade” and “Hail the Conquering Hero Comes” to complete the procession to the toll.
9 The expectant crowd is entertained with “The Roses” and “The Rowan Tree” and …
10 “Auld Selkirk” before the band rounds off the short programme with ...
11 “Scotland Yet” and “Jeannie’s Black ‘Ee” while we wait for the Standard Bearer and cavalcade to return from the riding of the marches.
12 The hardest blow of the day, up and round “thrombosis” corner at the foot of Bleachfield Road to “Striling Brig” and “Scots Wha’ Ha’e” starts the long climb back up to the Market Place.
13 The Bowling Green Gates mark the point of no return for the Standard Bearers; here starts the march along Scott’s Place and the High Street, culminating in a truly magnificent entrance into the heart of oor auld toon with “The Floers o’ the Forest”.
14 The spectacle of the Casting of The Colours now takes place to the tune of “Up wi’ the Souters”.
15 “The Liltin” breaks the two minutes silence held in remembrance of those who fell serving their country.
16 The band’s duties are brought to a close as we march to the war memorial with “Home Sweet Home” and “Auld Selkirk Toon”.
17 “The Souters” is a magnificent arrangement by ex-Bandmaster Allan Fernie of many of the favourites contained in the previous tracks. The sombre start depicts the grey mist-shrouded hills of the Common Riding morning before it breaks into a sparkling celebration of this wonderful town of ours and the magnificent event that is our Common Riding.