Singing the Gospel along Scotland’s North-East Coast, 1859–2009

Following three years of ethnomusicological fieldwork on the sacred singing traditions of evangelical Christians in North-East Scotland and Northern Isles coastal communities, Frances Wilkins documents and analyses current singing practices in this book by placing them historically and contemporaneously within their respective faith communities. The study explores the reflection and reinforcement of occupational fisher identity through gospel hymnody, drawing on context and function, repertoire and singing styles. As one of the first pieces of ethnomusicological research into sacred music performance in Scotland, the ethnography draws important parallels between practices in the North East and elsewhere in the British Isles and across the globe.