Outlander "Wool Waulking Song"

[@Jamestele1]

I love when modern film captures something authentic like this.

[@baskervillebee6097]

Like a tree falling in the woods... If everyone is equally smelly, does anyone stink?

[@stardustgirl2904]

I have no idea what film it is?

[@baskervillebee6097]

@@stardustgirl2904 Based on a book series: Outlander. Series on STARZ. Very good, highly researched, very long and compelling. Still waiting for more editions. For example, the next book comes out in November and many of us ordered copies in April. Very loyal fanbase.

[@stardustgirl2904]

@@baskervillebee6097 Sounds great, it's good to see people taking in interest in the old ways. I find it somewhat difficult being of English, Irish, and scottish, decent and living in America, for over 150 years my family came to AMERICA. But being white, we haven't been taught anything about our heritage! And we have been lead to believe that we have no CULTURE at all, and if we do it's definitely not ENCOURAGED to celebrate it! Sadly!

[@baskervillebee6097]

@@stardustgirl2904 Read about your heritage and be proud. Don't forget your musical heritage, too. Jean Redpath, Chieftains, sound track to Barry Lyndon, Steeleye Span.

[@goose6941]

My absolute favorite thing about this scene is how Claire doesn’t balk or comment on the use of human urine to treat the wool.

[@ddsmiles6382]

I didn’t know that. Imagine washing all that laundry afterwards. I love watching and learning.

[@gabrieldelfronton2584]

@@ddsmiles6382 I mean, they washed it afterwards, but urine was used because of its bleech content, high after a few days of repose. People of so far didn't have soap, as it was invented (as we know it) in Castille, central Spain, on the 15th century

[@ddsmiles6382]

@@gabrieldelfronton2584 yes I’v heard of worse things. People were very wise to the natural things accessible to them in those time’s. I have the upmost respect for all who lived in these times so difficult. Many of us are now searching to live the simplicity and wholeness of these early times. Learning about these tricks is amazing to me. I could only think washing laundry was so difficult and time consuming. Love from NM

[@button1ginger1]

@@ddsmiles6382 Along with the battering the women gave it, the urine softened the harsh wool fibres, making it more comfortable to wear against the skin.

[@raymondblacklock]

if I remember right she contributed some of her own

[@Lugh444]

This is where the occupational name Walker comes from. My mother's maiden name. The Highland (Gaelic) was "Mac An Fhucadair" , which turned into Nucator/McNucator and all the variations like McNowcatter , McKnocitir etc. In the South of England a Walker was called a Fuller or a Tucker.

[@laundrybleach5065]

My mother's name is Walker. I have been trying to research where abouts the name is originated in Scotland. I am going to guess that this is Highlander name but nothing confirmed. :(

[@mikelnomikos]

KZbin algorithm wants this to be the next shanty trend.

[@revparravager3184]

Well when they have Assassin's Creed: Hebrides you might very well be right when the hero walks into every village and sees a band of waulkers going full bore on a length of wool :)

[@margathea7072]

It's called Puirt á Beul . Gaelic mouth music especially lilting. Sung to accompany the often tedious work. They sing one to porridge making that we learnt in school bit easier for us " lowlanders" Slainté

[@myrrhis01]

Would that be Brochan Lom?

[@adventureswithaurora]

Interesting! o.O From what I read, puirt-à-beul, in most cases, is for dancing. They were the same tunes as many jigs, reels, and strathspeys and were sung when they didn't/couldn't use pipes and fiddles. This is a waulking song, where women would waulk the tweed as they're doing in this clip. :) Sláinte!

[@jennie_dunceol]

Waulking songs (òrain luaidh) and Gaelic mouth music (puirt à beul) are different styles of songs. This is a waulking song. Puirt à beul were typically used for dancing (not waulking) and take the form of strathspeys, jigs and reels

[@adventureswithaurora]

@@jennie_dunceol Precisely! Thank you!

[@thewol7534]

The length of cloth was taken from the loom and the beginning edge was sewn to the ending edge to make a loop. (This would be enough cloth to make a great kilt, btw). Fulling wool cloth is the same as felting knitting -- same principle. (Fulling is how you turn a length of woven wool cloth into an Army blanket.) The urine has to be stale -- it has to "age" -- to maximize the ammonia content. The ammonia in the urine cleans the wool and softens the fiber, shrinks the threads, tightens the weave, and thickens the cloth. It also helps with the dyeing process. Naturally, the cloth is thoroughly washed in the burn (brook) afterward. Yes, it is an unsanitary process, but considering the living conditions and the state of medical care at that place and time, it was one of the lesser evils.

[@leighcecil3322]

@@thewol7534 baby urine was apparently the best.. for other uses...!

[@lizzy-folksongsscottis4518]

Love this Waulking song.Glad his bit of Scottish Gaelic was in the series.

[@ssake1_IAL_Research]

This is powerful on so many different levels...

[@AAHnighttroll]

I loved these wee moments with Claire, I wish there were more

[@myrrhis01]

They are doing it wrong. I hate to be "that person", but as you waulk the cloth, you pass it along. If you only work it in the spot that you are holding it, it fulls unevenly. In time with the 4/4 meter of the song, you pick up the cloth, beat forward, beat back, and pass the cloth along, and repeat. OVER AND OVER.

[@fireblossom559]

It looks like they're actually doing that but it was edited choppily here so we only see them move it down once or twice.

[@seanmcguire7974]

It looks like they copied n old video from the early 1940s.

[@okaminess]

I worked with wool before. I know what you mean

[@Dr.RivkaEdery]

Love this!! The 2 thumbs down are from Black Jack Randal 😂

[@FREEMAN....]

And from N Melodic...

[@pearlspiers4779]

As I was watching this episode… and all my attention immediately honed in on the wool working song…. sigh! LOVED IT! So begins researching into “Highlands fabrics, working songs (I already love sea shanties… and I traversed blissfully down that enticing rabbit hole) and so begins another trip…. 💕

[@peterelliott3015]

Love this scene don't know how anyone can not like it

[@leylandblooter6515]

Maybe they can smell the pish. But seriously, it is lovely.

[@duncanidaho2097]

Lovely authentic cultural tradition. In a tv show no less. Walking or fulling the wool after weaving. As they poured urine onto it to chemically help the process.

[@oscarsucre9059]

No wonder it is said: A language is a way to see the world. The gaelic-speaking people saw it beautifully...

[@eddiec4536]

Very awesome to hear and see. Thank you.

[@G58]

There’s a Pathé film of this from the 1950s I believe.

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

Yes, I saw it recently

[@blahblahblah2699]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5a2o56Qm9V0oMU

[@rcladygreywolf6567]

It is also shown on a holiday episode of Call The Midwife that was filmed in Scotland. I think it was 2 years ago.

[@haztac5973]

@@rcladygreywolf6567 ayeee nice to see a fellow ctm fan here

[@tatil8243]

Thank you for the explanation and the info in the summary. It was really interesting :)

[@AverageMomma]

Strange this gave me goosebumps

[@gerard4870]

Reminds me of the time me 8 year old dropped a giant Lego in the new toilet while it was flushing, and dad had to fish it out from the underside using forceps. Dad was rolling around on the floor in the soup using language that no one understood.

[@okaminess]

😂😂😂

[@pamelagrimes3453]

This is Beautiful.

[@samtorres6387]

This is still my favorite scene in outlander

[@maygungreer1395]

I would love to learn the words for this!!!! Im Scottish Scandinavian and this is a beautiful tradition and i would love yo keep this going 🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶

[@geokrome]

It's wonderful how she instantly knows the Scots Gaelic lyrics. (Just kidding. I love the show.)

[@adventureswithaurora]

No kidding! 😂

[@kiernanmorris2630]

This song was done in a “call and repeat” style, like a lot of waulking songs! It can be fairly easy to repeat the sounds in a like-enough way to blend in with a choir. Speaking from experience 😂

[@seanmcguire7974]

I love this show. Is that supposed to he urine?

[@talex1625]

We don't know we're born really do we?

[@stevenmcdonnell2139]

We have lost so much of what made us what we were. So very sad.

[@Dia_7hom]

And we lose more each day, mores the pity

[@GeneralPadron]

Got to love a woman who makes a game out of work.

[@deborahdennison571]

Like so much in Ouchlander - this is not accurate to the history or the culture. Women did not piss in a bucket to use it on the wool! Urine was used in small quantities, but not like that. As with so much, Gabaldon has just a little knowledge and presents the culture with huge inaccuracies.

[@julievoit370]

Wouldn’t their dresses get all wet?

[@mariematzek923]

I’m looking for the translation and I can’t find it anywhere

[@adventureswithaurora]

There's one by M. Máire Ní Shúilleabháin! Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZi3ZHmlaqd_itU

[@honoriswithin]

❤

[@Pappsatt82]

Name of Song????

[@community-first]

Accurate

[@starbasemymms2097]

i suppose the captions dont translate gaelic?

[@adventureswithaurora]

There's a translation by M. Máire Ní Shúilleabháin! Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZi3ZHmlaqd_itU

[@darilynadams7281]

What are they doing & why? Does singing make the job easier?

[@adventureswithaurora]

Singing livens up the work, just as many sailors would sing shanties while heaving and hauling on board.

[@lucylane7397]

Rhythmic work

[@teevannel3468]

Interesting.

[@DReed1945]

Look it up. It was recorded as being done in 1941.

[@nsfeliz7825]

enyaaaa....

[@williamfinamore4623]

I've never seen so many women happy on wash day. ...not my wife.

[@1960tpk]

Guess what they were using

[@LetThemPeelCrayons]

If she got to sing with 6 of her friends while doing it she'd probably enjoy it more. Chores by yourself in modern day are soul sucking.

[@evamariajaeger]

what a pity! It seems not authentic - with that protagonist-actress

[@svincentr]

Clairrrrrrrrrrrgggth! P.S. in this scene the women are setting the newly died garment with human urine then agitating.

[@cynthialee5319]

Yes! I remember the movie! Interesting....

[@gm6719]

Just a small correction it’s fermented urine not always human but also cow urine sometimes

[@sirjames26]

It’s fine until you know the liquid used to soften the cloth and fix the dye is human pee.

[@Plethorality]

yet another use for it! thanks! : )

[@ciprianpopa1503]

That's because it contains ammonia. Ammonia was used till recently for hair dye too.

[@Tinymoezzy]

It got stuff clean. :)

[@nickmiller76]

For me, it's still fine.

[@tharner5725]

Still used for leather.

[@FREEMAN....]

Europeans have a culture and an identity. Most of them were hard working people and had nothing to do with slave trade and colonies, so their grandchildren have nothing to apologize for.

[@nmelodic6391]

What white-nationalist nonsense! There is no one "European" culture. Hard-working white people still were sent to colonize other countries and oversee slaves. Working class whites were placed above people of colour in the home countries in Europe, and in the colonies. Racism and colonialism is real and still harmful to this day. White people have all inherited benefits from it. Classism against working class whites is ALSO real, because it is real against working class people of ALL races. But white people still participated in racism and colonialism, and they benefited from it -- every class of white people. Of course the middle and upper classes benefitted more, because they always do, don't they? There's no need to be all defensive about it. Listen to people of colour, try to learn about past and current injustices, and work to stop racism and colonialism.

[@FREEMAN....]

@@nmelodic6391 👈 Cultural Marxist here

[@nmelodic6391]

@@FREEMAN....

[@nickev96]

@@nmelodic6391 no European culture? That's not true and neither is anything else you've said. Quit living in the past and start counting your blessings.

[@paulroberts7561]

@@nmelodic6391 I am white working class, I apologise for nothing. If, there had been no British empire most of the Bane people wouldn't have had the benefit of British education and health care. They would not be in Britain. Also if it had not been the British it could have been someone else.

[@blahblahblah2699]

Here’s the original that they ripped it from kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5a2o56Qm9V0oMU

[@lowellirish]

What they DONT tell you, is that the wool is soaked in urine first to allow the fibres to expand...😂😂

[@RVboyjunior]

Imagine how people smelled back then.

[@sarahgray430]

I think the smell of the sea and of the peat fires that they used to heat their homes covered up their BO to a certain extent (basically, that whole village would smell pretty intense) but I personally think that indoor plumbing and regular baths were two of the greatest innovations of the 19th century!

[@pingupenguin2474]

@@sarahgray430 The sea doesn't smell, and most highlanders washed regularly, it's perfectly possible to be clean with water boiled on a peat fire.

[@danomalley2473]

I read long ago that the oral histories of the indigenous Americans always mentioned that early English (and other European) settlers to the New World smelled REALLY bad.

[@brendareed8412]

Of course, the Indians were used to their own odor.

[@baskervillebee6097]

Probably pretty gamey, but everybody smelled the same so who knew? Like living without air conditioning. If there was nothing to cool you, you wouldn't miss it.

[@richardduplessis1090]

I found the condescending superiority of that patronising woman absolutely repulsive in the series.

[@onlinemusiclessonsadamphil4677]

❤

[@FREEMAN....]

Europeans have a culture and an identity. Most of them were hard working people and had nothing to do with slave trade and colonies, so their grandchildren have nothing to apologize for.

[@PunMasterKen]

God, you people are insufferable.