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Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21886, 12 September 1936, Page 14

The simplicity, wit, and gaiety of the songs of the Hebridean Islanders are some of the characteristics that have placed them among the finest folk tunes in the world, according to Madame Scotia, a well-known Scottish singer,, who spoke on that subject to members of the Auckland Rotary Club at their luncheon meeting. The supreme simplicity of the Hebridean folk songs was mentioned by Madame Scotia, who said that these little melodies had been greeted as among the finest constructed tunes known. They were just as perfect as songs by Brahms, Schubert, and other great composers. Another great characteristic was their extremely spontaneous gaiety. Madame Scotia referred to the gay dancing songs of the Hebridean people, and said the music was full of verve and freshness. It had great delicacy and a good deal of wit. The final characteristic was that of immortality, in which the Celtic race always had a> firm belief. They called their heaven the Land of Youth. The priceless thing about this folk lore was that there was no age to it.