Son of a Jazz trumpeter Craig was introduced early to Swing music. His uncle played in a Skiffle band, his grandparents had performed in theater and vaudeville on one side and on the other were self taught musicians and folk singers.
In the early days Craig Herbertson played in experimental bands including the Scottish New Wave band 'The Androids' reviewed in NME with air play on BBC Radio 1.
Later he rediscovered his folk roots, playing with a variety of bands including 'The Keltix whose songs were featured on BBC radio and television.
Craig picked up experience busking in Europe and America, from the Paris Metro to Riverboats on the Mississippi, during which time he learned fiddle, mandolin, banjo, penny whistle and piano.
In 2004 he hit number 20 in the BBC Indie charts with 'Hearts of Glory'
In 2011 Craig was awarded second prize in the category “Best Folk Rock Singer” of the 'Deutscher Rock & Pop Preis'.
As well as music he is also a critically acclaimed fantasy and horror author.
Lady Whisky
Craig Herbertson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Promised me heaven wi' a wee kiss and tell
Ye'll aye be the lady in good company
My Lady Whisky, whisky and me
When first we met you were bonnie and blithe
Warming ma heart wi' yer waters o' life
You're ay the cure for the trouble and strife
When I picked you up you were golden and gay
Breath sweet as heather on a morning in May
We kissed and we kissed till night turned to day
Singing whisky tomorrow, whisky today
Now you have gone you bold courtesan
You're tasting the lips o' every young man
And just to kiss you it's silver to pay
Singing whisky tomorrow, whisky today
Craig Herbertson's song Lady Whisky is a ballad about a love affair with whisky. The first verse expresses a deep love for Scotch as if it were a lover or a woman. The persona describes how he was promised heaven with a wee kiss and a tell by Lady Whisky. The persona is also aware that he will always be in good company with her. Lady Whisky is portrayed as a woman who can offer companionship, but only if she is loved in return. The connection between the persona and Lady Whisky is so deep that it is almost romantic. The use of the term 'Lady Whisky' shows that the persona sees whisky as more than just a drink, but as a woman with whom he has a relationship.
The second verse mesmerises about the first encounter with Lady Whisky. The persona describes the warmth that the whisky gave him, referring to the drink as the waters of life. To the persona, Lady Whisky is also the cure for trouble and strife. The third verse takes us through the persona's journey with Lady Whisky, where he describes how they spent the night together singing whisky tomorrow, whisky today. In the final verse, the persona describes how Lady Whisky is no longer the faithful lover she once was. She is now "tasting the lips of every young man" for a silver, and the persona emphasises that it used to be just singing, whisky tomorrow, whisky today.
Line by Line Meaning
Whisky, whisky I loved you tae well
Oh dear whisky, I loved you so much.
Promised me heaven wi' a wee kiss and tell
You promised me heaven with just a little whisper.
Ye'll aye be the lady in good company
You will always be the lady in good company.
My Lady Whisky, whisky and me
I am with you, my lady whisky.
When first we met you were bonnie and blithe
When we first met, you were lovely and carefree.
Warming ma heart wi' yer waters o' life
You warmed my heart with your life-giving waters.
You're ay the cure for the trouble and strife
You are always the cure for my troubles and the storms of life.
It's whisky today and whisky tonight
I will have whisky today and whisky tonight.
When I picked you up you were golden and gay
When I first held you, you were shining and happy.
Breath sweet as heather on a morning in May
Your scent was sweet as heather on a May morning.
We kissed and we kissed till night turned to day
We kissed and kissed until the night became day.
Singing whisky tomorrow, whisky today
Singing about having whisky tomorrow and today.
Now you have gone you bold courtesan
Now you have left, you brave seductress.
You're tasting the lips o' every young man
You are kissing every young man.
And just to kiss you it's silver to pay
And just to kiss you, one must pay silver.
Singing whisky tomorrow, whisky today
Singing about having whisky tomorrow and today.
Contributed by David B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.