This is one of the most popular Irish folk songs around. It has been recorded by the Dubliners, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, and many, many others.

I have played this song countless times, usually on bodhran and occasionally on guitar, but always backing someone else. In fact, other than supplying backup vocals on the chorus, I had never sung this song until about an hour before I recorded this. I even had to go online to double check some of the lyrics.

- Kevin

(c) 2009 Kevin Edward Rose. All rights reserved.

This is not a typical Kevin Edward Rose song. I have to admit, I am a little hesitant to post it here. After all, if someone visits this site for the first time and knows nothing about me, this song is going to send a very strange message.

Over the years, I have tried to write “dark” songs, but they usually (and inadvertently) turn out humorous. In this case, I challenged myself to write the darkest song I could possibly write. I think I succeeded.

Ironically, I think this song has the most potential for commercial success of anything I have written. It would be perfect as part of a horror or slasher film soundtrack, or it could be used in a documentary or news program. I need to get busy and make a professional recording of this so I can get it in the right hands.

I presented this song at the Dayton N.S.A.I. (Nashville Songwriters Association, International) workshop a few months ago and was rewarded with a moment of complete silence after I finished. I looked at my audience and noticed several people just sitting there with their mouths open. The general consensus was that it was “creepy, but well written.” After the critique session, I offered to walk any of the females present to their cars, and believe it or not, no one took me up on it.

(c) 2009 Kevin Edward Rose. All rights reserved.

First of all, I must apologize for not posting last week. I normally record these songs late at night or early in the morning on one of my evenings off from work, but last week I had to fill in for a sick employee on my recording night.

Anyway, now on to Loch Lomond. This is a not-so traditional arrangement of a traditional song. It is one of the better-known folk songs from Scotland, but most people have no idea what the song is about. So, we will now begin today’s history lesson.

After the failed Jacobite Rebellion, which was the attempt of the people of Scotland to gain their independence from England by placing Charles Stuart (AKA Bonnie Prince Charlie) on the throne of Scotland, the victorious English army was faced with a dilemma; What should they do with their Scottish prisoners? If they let all of the prisoners go free, there was nothing to stop them from further rebellion. If they executed all of the prisoners, they would be seen as cruel and unjust, again giving the Scots another reason to rebel.

The solution was to let some of the prisoners go free, thus showing mercy, and to execute the others, thus giving an incentive against further rebellion.

The song, “Loch Lomond”, is a conversation between two prisoners. One would be set free and would go home by taking the high road, which was the “normal” way: i.e.; riding a horse, hopping a boat, etc. The other prisoner faced execution and would be taking the low road, which was the path of the spirit.

- Kevin