Lang May Yer Lums Reek

Written by Lainey Dempsey (Jan 1st 2022)

Here’s to the year that’s awa’
tae the joy and the sorrow we saw
through the thick and the thin
wi’ oor comrades and kin
Lang may yer lums reek ane and aw

Here’s to the year that’s awa
let’s drink it in big and in sma’
then show it the door
as we welcome one more
and pray it be kind to us a’

Here’s to the scared and the lost
whose lives in to chaos are tossed
Should they seek oot these lands
May we a’ understand
why such treacherous waters they’ve crossed

Here’s to the year that’s awa
let’s drink it in big and in sma’
then show it the door
as we welcome wan more
and pray it be kind to us a’

here’s to the tales needing told
o’ oor heroes sae brave and sae bold
who forfeited sleep
fer their vigils to keep
as they tended oor sick and oor old

Here’s to the year that’s awa
let’s drink it in big and in sma’
then show it the door
as we welcome wan more
and pray it be kind to us a’

Here’s to the voices that raised
and demanded we see better days
may we stand side by side
an’ oor hope and strength bide
till the powers that be change their ways

Here’s to the year that’s awa
let’s drink it in big and in sma’
then show it the door
as we welcome wan more
and pray it be kind to us a’

Here’s to the year that’s awa’
tae the joy and the sorrow we saw
through the thick and the thin
wi’ oor comrades and kin
Lang may yer lums reek ane and aw

I’ve always loved the Scots phrase, ‘Lang May Yer Lum Reek’. It’s such a no frills, genuine expression of well wishing. It translates literally as, ‘May there be Smoke Coming out Your Chimney for a Long Time’ so basically, ‘I hope you’re alive, well and have what makes you happy and comfy for a long time to come.’

For a lot of people, happiness and comfort equates with home and family. Over the two years prior to writing this song, many homes and families had been through unbelievably challenging times due to the Covid19 pandemic and the lockdowns that came with it. There was a lot of isolation, fear and grief . But there was also, in many places, a new sense of community as people’s priorities shifted.

Like a significant amount of the population, several people close to me took stock of where they were at in life and chose to try something different.

I wanted to write something that had a sense of reflection and coming together again, that was easy to sing and easy to join in with. I also just wanted to acknowledge what we had been through and all the incredible people who had, in one way or another, endured exceptionally extreme circumstances over the years of the pandemic.

This track is dedicated to my friend Paddy. An album with a focus on strong Scottish female voices seems like the ideal place to acknowledge the support, guidance and opportunities she has given and continues to give to so many.