An Airdrie minister has become the latest to get on board with the current sea shanty craze inspired by a fellow local resident’s number one single.
Reverend Robbie Hamilton, of New Wellwynd parish church in the town centre, joined forces with dozens of other Church of Scotland clergy and members for a lockdown choral performance.
Their song tells the Bible story of Noah’s ark, set to the strains of traditional tune Wellerman – which has become a huge hit for Airdrie musician Nathan Evans after the success of his viral rendition of the whaling song on TikTok.
Now the atmospheric four-minute video is gaining hits online, while the New Wellwynd parishioners can expect to see it included as part of their online worship this weekend.
Keen singer Rev Hamilton became involved in the project after Aberdeen-based minister Peter Johnston asked for volunteers to join in with performing his new lyrics.
He said: “Peter had asked on Facebook if anybody liked singing – I’ve been in choirs for 40 years and I’m really missing singing in church at the moment.
“Sea shanties have made a comeback recently and Nathan Evans has become really famous; there’s some genuine momentum so it seemed to be a good idea, and it fitted really well with Noah having gone to sea in an ark.
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“We each recorded our own video and then sent them in to be edited together; Peter said I got the prize for the best Noah lookalike!
“It’s a bit of fun but with a serious message, and people are starting to see it and seem to have really enjoyed it.
“This was something to bring people together at a time when they’re getting tired and weary with lockdown, and it really lifted spirits.”
Rev Hamilton is a former member of the Glasgow-based Phoenix choir, and added: “I first started to sing when I was at school and wherever I’ve been, I try to get involved in the choir.
“I sing in our church choir and go to practices when they’re taking place to keep involved – we aren’t able to sing together just now and it’s something we’re really missing as it’s a big part of church and such a nice thing to do.”
The new shanty, which was arranged by organist Kevin Haggart, was inspired after Rev Johnston became aware of the rising craze thanks to his daughter.
He said: “It then popped into my mind to write a sea shanty for the story of Noah, focussing on the covenant sealed by the rainbow, which is the positive part of what is quite a dark story.
“We provided a backing audio file for each part, so each of the voices had its own guide track and folk would listen to that while filming themselves singing, and I put it all together in an audio mix.
“Those taking part are from all over Scotland and there was only a week to get submissions in, so it was a tight turnaround for all the different parts.”
Rev Johnston added: “I wanted to tell the story in a way that didn’t shy away from the darker elements but was also joyous and gives us a hopeful resolution, and if it helps people to get into the story, that’s great.”
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