Burns night this year finds me away in the South Ayrshire countryside for some spiritual rehab. Rabbies ain spirit of course looms massive round these parts, and while some slabberin’ shitbags use the day to heap scorn on the bard for daring to be all too human, I chose to celebrate the bloke in song.‘Willie’ was already a well travelled tune by the time Burnsie got hold of it, added a verse & scored himself a hit. I for one am incredibly glad he did, hearing it for the first time as a young ‘un, performed by The Corries, would throw a switch in me once and for all.

Ive heard many an interpretation of the story ranging from the sound to the dangerously unhinged,.. For me though, Willie did indeed sell or at least pawn his fiddle at the fair, why else would a ‘saut tear’ have 'blint his ee'?.. and where did he get his drinkin' money?

Ive known all too many a gifted muso who’d pawn their guitar on a Monday in order to go boozing’ through the week and somehow pull it out again on a Friday in time for the weekends gig. Or mibbee it was a ‘crossroads’ moment for our hero, the devil tempting Willie to choose a good sesh over his passion & his calling? Whatever the case, I hope you enjoy my take on the tune along wi a wee keek at some o' the country round here.

Fill yer jug & get a few doon yer neck in honour of the man.

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