The Empire Games

Contributors

Bertram, Bob, 1928-2009 (3269)

Fieldworkers

Henderson, Hamish, 1919-2002 (10) Munro, Ailie Edmunds, 1919-2002 (2887)

Date 18 February 1971

Track ID 76454

Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1971.14.A2

Original Tape ID

SA1971.014

Summary

Satirical song about the Commonwealth Games being held in Edinburgh [in 1970], berating the Council for hosting the Games and spending money on it while people are still in need of homes. The chorus calls the Games "a festival within a slum".

Preceded by Bob Bertram's introduction stating his unease at Edinburgh hosting the Commonwealth Games, or Empire Games as he still calls them, while there were still slums in the city and no proper sewage system.

Item Notes

5 verses with chorus after each, plus chorus at start. Bob Bertram's own composition. Recorded at Heriot-Watt University Students' Union, at a cèilidh in aid of 'Stampede', an Edinburgh people's newspaper.

Recording Location

County - Midlothian

Parish - Edinburgh

Village/Place - Edinburgh

Item Location

County - Midlothian

Parish - Edinburgh

Village/Place - Edinburgh

Language

English, Scots

Genre

Song Information

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good