SHINDIGS & SINGSONGS

By Rebecca McGilveray, 2019

Shindig n. Term derived from Scottish Gaelic sìnteag (“jump, leap”) meaning an elaborate or large dance, party, or other celebration.

In this edited audio piece by current OHMA student Rebecca McGilveray, her father Edward McGilveray speaks about the family gatherings and parties that he remembers from his childhood and the old tradition of singing songs – and the antics and hilarity that often ensued as a result. The interview took place on Hogmanay – or New Year’s Eve – a very important day of celebration around the world, but especially in Scotland and even more-so in Glasgow where old traditions mix with the welcoming in of a New Year. Edward was born in Glasgow in 1963, the youngest of 3, and was brought up by his father Edward and mother Cathie in the West of the city in the working-class neighbourhood of Partick where this story takes place. This interview was conducted as part of Rebecca’s capstone project – an exploration into the intersectionalities between the loss of a place and the loss of a person and how oral history can be used as a tool to keep alive both the memory of people and places.

Music Credits
Billy Joel – “Piano Man” Piano Man (1973)

The Flamingos – “I Only Have Eyes for You” Flamingo Seranade (1953)

Charles Harrison – “Farewell Marguerite”, sung by George Boardman. Edison Blue Amberol (1913)

Andy Stewart – “Auld Lang Syne” Forever in Song (2007)