Doh Ray Me, When Ah Wis Wee - Scots Children's Songs And Rhymes
Published 5th Dec 2007 by Intern

One of Scotland's best-known storytellers and song writers, Ewan McVicar has collected together lyrics dating back to the early nineteenth century as well as from children today. This first publication of the 'hidden' songs of Scots childhood, "Doh Ray Me, When Ah Wis Wee" is his second book, and is published on 20th December.

Before Ewan was reincarnated as a storyteller he worked in many schools teaching old Scottish songs. Adults believe "the kids no longer sing in the playground, they just run about", but Ewan found that it was alive and roaring with rhyme, song and game. He began to collect the ones new to him, and was amazed at their humour and vitality. Eventually he became a very mature indeed student at the School of Scottish Studies so he could learn more, and found in the School's library and sound archive old collections of children's lore rich in vibrant Scots. When fellow songwriter Ian Davison learned of Ewan's interest, he passed on a card index of over 500 kids songs he had collected as a Glasgow teacher, most of them never seen in print. Ewan began to develop his understanding about these lyrics, how they develop, interbreed and die, how tunes are used, until he felt compelled to try and get a book published, which is in itself a story and a half. His biggest regret is that he could include less than half of the essential Scots ones and none of the Gaelic ones, his biggest pleasure is that the book with over 900 songs and rhymes of the last 150 years is at last out there and giving pleasure.

Ewan was born in Inverness and worked as a banker in Scotland and Africa, then as a guitar teacher in the USA. On his return to Scotland he was employed in various areas of social work before becoming a self-employed storyteller and songwriter. He has performed in over 200 schools and in castles, museums, folk festivals and other venues across Britain, as well as in Canada, the USA, Holland and Russia. He has written some 40 songs which have been commercially recorded, including 20 for the Singing Kettle children's show.

"Doh, Ray Me, When Ah Wis Wee", priced £14.99 is published by Birlinn.

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