Drum

The first of two compositions for Hear the Drum, the community music project commissioned by The National Trust for Scotland is now finished. The music will debut on Saturday 1 December at another musical community event. The community are invited to come along and play their part in bringing the newly-written music to life for the first time. Drum tells the story of the first Laird of Drum's arrival in the Royal Forest of Drum. Here is the libretto and music.

King Robert the Bruce:

William de Irwyn, clerk in the Royal Chancellory,

On behalf of my kingdom,

I appoint you my representative in the Royal Forest of Drum.

The tower will be yours,

The power of life and death.

William de Irwyn:

An honour,

The King has granted me his land.

The tower, the forest, the law, the law.

I, I represent the King!

They'll open the door, guiard the tower.

Deer will roam the woods.

Life and death be in my hands. 

The people:

Open the door, open the door,

Open the door for the first Laird of Drum.

William de Irwyn:

The King sent me,

To serve the King you shall serve me.

The Royal Forest of Drum is my kingdom.

I shall order, I shall reign,

Open the door.

The people:

Open the door, open the door,

Open the door for the first Laird of Drum.

 

Copyright text, image, libretto and music Petra Vergunst