As heard on 60 North Radio. The poem! the playlist! The sounds!

The Dreichness

Snow in April’s fine

Above the tundra line

Where Capercaillie dwell

In an icy hell

Pursued by hikers

And mountain bikers

The outdoor purists

Very hardy tourists

Seeking endorphin thrills

Without the aid of pills

Except for Ibuprofen

Which they take quite often

To deal with the pain

Induced by Highland rain

I will stay on the ground

For I have found

Deep satisfaction

Without risking traction

I’ll walk to the shops

Or to the bus stop

Hoping that the day

Will turn out nice and grey

Oh come, Dull and dreich

Welcome, day of keech,!

When the weather’s bad

I don’t feel sad

In fact my mood

When the outlook’s good

Is less than cheery

I get so weary

If there’s too much sun

I get nothing done

Send me clouds that glower

They provide the power

They fuel my soul

They make me whole

My legs don’t get sore

If I stay indoors

Sipping my Yorkshire Tea

That’s good enough for me

Some may like it hot

But not the Scot

THE SHOW ON MIXCLOUD

The View — Grace

Elbow, John Grant — Kindling (Fickle Flame)

Patti Scialfa — Spanish Dancer

Patti Griffin — Let Him Fly

Elvis Costello — Brilliant Disguise

Buddy and Julie Miller — the Last Bridge You Will Cross

Richard Thompson — Beeswing

Everything But the Girl — No-one Knows We’re Dancing

Can — Moonshake

Emmylou Harris — Sweet Old World

New Musik — Living by Numbers

Sensational Alex Harvey Band — The Faith Healer

Bill Fay — The Healing Day