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.
Rowan Tree
Craig Herbertson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thou'lt aya be dear to thee
Entwined thou art wi' many ties
O'hame and infancy
Thy leaves were aye the first of spring
Thy flowers the summer's pride
There was nae sic a bonnie tree
In a' the country side
How fair you were in summer time
Wi' a'thy clusters white
How rich and gay thy autumn dress,
Wi' berries red and bright!
On thy fair stem were mony names
Which now nae mair I see
But they're engraven on my heart,
Forget they ne'er can be
Oh rowan tree
We sat aneath thy spreadin' shade
The bairnies round thee ran
They pu'd they bonnie berries red,
And necklaces they strang
My mither, oh! I see her still,
She smil'd our sports to see
Wi' little jeannie on her lap,
And jamie on her knee
Oh rowan tree
Oh there arose my father's pray'are
In holy ev'ning's calm
How sweet was them my mother's voice,
In the martyrs' psalm
Now a'are gane!
We meet nae mair aneath the rowan tree
But hallow'd thoughts around thee twine
O'hame and infancy
Oh rowan tree
In Craig Herbertson's song "Rowan Tree," he sings of the great admiration and affection towards the rowan tree. The tree has entwined itself with the memories of home and childhood, making it dear to the singer's heart. The leaves represent the coming of spring, bringing a bright refreshment to the land. The flowers add to the beauty of summer, bringing vibrancy to the countryside. The singer acknowledges the magnitude of the tree's beauty, considering it the "bonnie tree" of the land.
As autumn approaches, the rowan tree shows off its new attire of bright red berries, making it a just as much of a pleasure to the eyes as it was before. As the singer reminisces about the memories of the past, they remember the names written on the tree which now ceases to be visible. Yet, the names remain engraved in the heart of the singer, never to be forgotten. The tree has been a witness to many games and laughter of the singer's childhood, and the singer recollects with a fondness the joy of seeing their mother with little Jeannie on her lap and Jamie on her knee.
The family prayers and hymns were held beneath the tree, adding a sense of holiness to its memories. However, as time passes, the memories of the tree have grown more profound, and the family no longer meets beneath it. The memories are now involved with the context of the rowan tree, imbuing it with hallowed thoughts, only to be regarded with love and affection by the singer, regarding it as a symbol that will forever remain dear to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh rowan tree, oh rowan tree
Addressing the rowan tree with fondness and affection
Thou'lt aya be dear to thee
The singer will always cherish the rowan tree
Entwined thou art wi' many ties
O'hame and infancy
The rowan tree is connected to memories of home and childhood
Thy leaves were aye the first of spring
Thy flowers the summer's pride
There was nae sic a bonnie tree
In a' the country side
The rowan tree is described as the most beautiful tree in the countryside, with stunning flowers and leaves
How fair you were in summer time
Wi' a'thy clusters white
How rich and gay thy autumn dress,
Wi' berries red and bright!
The rowan tree is praised for its beauty throughout different seasons, with white flowers in summer and red berries in autumn
On thy fair stem were mony names
Which now nae mair I see
But they're engraven on my heart,
Forget they ne'er can be
The tree has engravings that the singer cannot see anymore, but they will forever be remembered in their heart
We sat aneath thy spreadin' shade
The bairnies round thee ran
They pu'd they bonnie berries red,
And necklaces they strang
The singer remembers sitting under the rowan tree with children who picked the tree's red berries and made necklaces out of them
My mither, oh! I see her still,
She smil'd our sports to see
Wi' little jeannie on her lap,
And jamie on her knee
The artist fondly remembers their mother watching them play under the rowan tree with their siblings
Oh there arose my father's pray'are
In holy ev'ning's calm
How sweet was them my mother's voice,
In the martyrs' psalm
The artist recalls their father's prayers and their mother's voice singing religious hymns under the rowan tree
Now a'are gane!
We meet nae mair aneath the rowan tree
But hallow'd thoughts around thee twine
O'hame and infancy
The people who shared these memories under the rowan tree are no longer around, but the artist remembers them fondly and associates the tree with their home and childhood
Oh rowan tree
Repeating the address to the rowan tree with affection and nostalgia
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WATT, LADY CAROLINE NAIRNE, PETER KNIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind