William's Song a Day Blog - est. September 2007

From: Captain Morgan's Revenge ; Year: 2008; Genre: Celtic Folk Metal/Power Metal The other day whilst I was driving home this song came on my iPod; I made sure to make a mental note that I wanted to pick it. I absolutely love their rendition of this rather great track. Actually this song is a cover originally written by Roy Williamson of the folk group The Corries back in the late 1960's. Flower of Scotland is among a handful of songs which serve as an unofficial national anthem for Scotland; it is kind of interesting in my opinion to have such a new song serve such a role in such an old nation. From what I understand it is the most popular song amongst the candidates and is used at sporting events for Scots' teams. Hear Flower of Scotland on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Cybotron - Colossus My song pick two years ago today: AC/DC - Let There Be Rock My song pick three years ago today: Steeleye Span - Black Jack Davy My song pick four yea...

From: Chet Atkins Picks the Best ; Year: 1967; Genre: Patriotic/Traditional One of the songs published in the year 1862, which is also my song pick number today, was the popular patriotic hymn Battle Hymn of the Republic. It is one of my favourites of its ilk; I have always loved the feeling I get when I hear this song played. The lyrics were originally written by Julia Ward Howe, but the song's tune predates them a bit. It was originally from another song, which many may also know: John Brown's Body , however, I believe that the tune has become much more famous as The Battle Hymn of the Republic . Anyway, out of all of the many, many versions played in existence I've found Chet Atkins' really interesting. He starts playing it the first time around in the traditional way and then each time around he changes it up and plays it in different styles complete with tempo and time changes; he eventually finishes by jazzing it up quite nicely. To say the least it's ...

1194 Kay Kyser And His Orchestra - Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition Happy Thanksgiving all! I've been trying to think of a good, fitting song for the occasion. This was the first song that I thought of, it got stuck in my mind and would not leave, so I guess it's my pick for today. While being a morale song from World War II, it has a nice fitting feel/subject matter for the day. I cannot remember when I first heard this song, but it was a long time ago. However, more recently our friend, who is a WWII nut, bought a CD with a bunch of the music from The War and played it endlessly for quite a while. Anyway, have safe journey and traveling mercies for those out and about this Holiday weekend. Hear Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Nightwish feat. Tapio Wilska - The Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean My song pick two years go today: Mason Proffit - Two Hangmen My song pick three years ago today: Frank Zappa - Don't Eat ...

812 ( S Sgt Barry Sadler - Ballad of the Green Berets ) I noticed that it was Veteran's Day and/or Armistice Day depending on where you are at; I figured that I should choose an appropriate song. Most of the morning I was trying to come up with a good pick, this one just happened to pop into my head and I thought that it was a perfect song for today. Oddly enough, the first time I heard this song was in a video game over 20 years ago; it was a strategy game on my Commodore computer called Conflict in Vietnam . I remember my mother telling me what the song actually was about, so I immediately had to find a recording. Luckily my father had the song on one of his K-Tel/Ronco super hit records or 8-Tracks. This song was co-written by writer Robin Moore, (who had written a book of the same name, which became a film starring John Wayne with this song used as the theme), and S Sgt Barry Sadler while he was recuperating from wounds incurred during service. Anyway, happy Veteran's Day! ...