A true story song about the execution of a distant relative. It was known in Scotland as "the killing times".
Singer-songwriter
I write, sing, play & record most instruments & vocals
Story behind the song
A true story song about the execution of a distant relative. It was known in Scotland as "the killing times". "Covenanters" were christians who "made a covenant with God". Later, this was corrupted by people who wanted to politicize things. But my relative, James Skene was a genine christian who was martyred at Market Cross, Edinburgh in 1680. The lyrics are based on his letters he wrote and are published online...includeing his letters he wrote the night before his hanging.
Lyrics
His name was James Skene
He came from Aberdeen
Sent down to Edinburgh to die,
The brother of the Laird
Land and power shared
Everything that Scotland could supply.
But inward treasure captured mind and heart
This noose won't drag him and God apart,
So death where is your sting
When the edict of the King
Is naming God as a royal crime,
And the Covenanter's tone
Is God sits on the throne
Welcome to the "Killing Times".
But the Privy Council told him to back down
But He loved and served a different Man's crown,
So the sentence of this boss
Was death at Market cross
So that all the people then could see,
That the covenant they made
Was a useless aid
If they thought that it would set them free,
But he felt his life was not dear to him
Here are the final words of James Skene
"I lay down my life
For owning Jesus Christ"
He said as he looked up to the sky,
On a cold December Day
The wind and rope then played
Swinging to the tune of Martyr's cry,
Confirming what the world already knows
The blood of Martyr's make the harvest grow
The blood of Martyr's make the harvest grow
