30 November 2009
The sound of Burns filled the Parliament’s Garden Lobby as the ten finalists of the Burnsong song contest play a showcase concert hosted by the Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP.
Marie Claire Lee from Glasgow is pictured performing her song “Days Gone By”.
Marie Claire Lee, 26, of Edinburgh (lived in Glasgow until earlier this year, former student at St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock, Glasgow). She is full-time musician.
Marie Claire told how her winning song ‘Days Gone By’ was her modern take on Burns’ ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – and highlighted how we have to appreciate our past in order to move forward with our lives.
She said: “I love ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and it was a real challenge, and a thrill, to try to write my take on this for the here and now. I wanted it to be really optimistic and full of hope – the kind of song you sing at the end of a party to get everyone holding hands.
“It is a very patriotic song and I hope when people hear it they feel proud to be Scottish – and happy to be alive.”
Marie Claire described how she was “gob smacked” when she found out she had made the competition shortlist.
She said: “It could not quite believe it, I was stunned and so, so happy.
“I have learned so much from this whole experience. It really has been one of the best times of my life.Just being with the group and bouncing ideas of each other and learning from each other has been amazing.”
