WHAT’S THE STORY?
THERE have been numerous tributes paid to the great Scottish folklorist, poet, songwriter, soldier, educator, intellectual, socialist republican, and campaigner against militarism and imperialism, Hamish Henderson since his death in 2002, but a new book by a personal friend of Henderson sets out to give a portrayal of Henderson, warts and all.
Written by Ian Spring and published by Perth-based Rymour Books, Hamish Henderson, A Critical Appreciation, will be welcomed by all who know of the works of Henderson, a key figure in the Scottish folk revival of the 20th century and a giant of European literature – he translated the works of Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci and helped to found the School of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University.
Ian Spring knew and worked with Henderson from the 1970s onwards. In this new introduction to his mentor’s work he attempts to summarise his achievements and place Henderson’s work and ideas in a contemporary context.
WHAT DOES SPRING SAY?
LIKE Henderson himself, who liked nothing better than a good old “flyting” with fellow poets and writers, Spring is keen to put his case strongly that there should be less “beatification”, as he puts it, of Henderson and rather more critical examination.
Spring writes: “Hamish Henderson was such a powerful and charismatic figure that it is not surprising that a wealth of anecdote and speculation has arisen around his memory.
“The mythology surrounding Hamish has partly been perpetuated by the two-volume biography penned by Timothy Neat. This is a massive and important work of scholarship and erudition but it is tainted by unwarranted and it sometimes bizarre speculation that stretches the reader’s credibility.
“More recently much has been written and spoken about Henderson. An annual festival, the Carrying Stream Festival, has a Hamish Henderson lecture (annual lectures have also been organised by Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialist Party). The texts of some of these have been published. The tone of them I would generally describe as uncritical and anecdotal.
“At this crucial juncture in the history of Scotland I would suggest any reassessment of Hamish Henderson‘s contribution to 20th century Scottish cultural history will have to move beyond anecdotal speculation and engage with the issues of culture, art and nationhood emerging in this new century.
“The mythologising, the ‘beatification’ of Hamish Henderson has been a process that I, at least partly, have subscribed to and I have been aware for some time that that should be addressed. What I have tried to do, to the best of my ability, this present a realistic portrayal from both my personal knowledge and from a study of his works, of the nature of Henderson’s legacy, of his achievements and to steal yours, his virtues and the shortcomings. If the result is to nudge him a little from his pedestal, I believe that it is a sacrifice that Henderson himself would willingly have made to ensure a continuing and egalitarian Scottish cultural community.”
It’s controversial stuff, and will not delight all admirers of Henderson, but the book, which is really an extended essay, will become necessary reading for all those interested in Henderson.
WHO WAS HENDERSON?
BORN in Blairgowrie on November 11, 1919, to an unmarried mother, Hamish Scott Henderson grew up to be a genuine intellectual, educated at Cambridge University where he first encountered the dangers of Nazism and fascism.
Speaking six languages, he was a natural for the Intelligence Corps and served in the Desert War in North Africa.
After the war he became a central figure in the folk scene in Scotland, and wrote many works of which the best known are the John MacLean March and The Freedom Come All Ye. He was also heavily involved in left-wing politics.
In 1983 he went public about refusing an OBE in protest at the Thatcher government’s nuclear arms policy and was duly voted Scot of the Year by Radio Scotland listeners. He died in Edinburgh on March 8, 2002, aged 82, survived by his German wife Katzel and their daughters, Janet and Christine.
WHAT DOES THE BOOK SAY ABOUT HIM?
IN his introduction to the book, Jim Black states: “Ian Spring and I shared long-term friendships with Hamish Henderson. Since Hamish’s death in 2002 a great deal has been written, and spoken, of his legacy.
“Regrettably, for many who knew and admired the man, comment has often seemed overly adulatory and credulous. Ian Spring believes strongly that Hamish deserves better. His critical appreciation of Hamish’s life shares the admiration and affection in which he was held by so many whilst seeking to debunk some of the myths and misinformation which are increasingly reprised as fact.
“For all those seeking a better understanding of this charismatic and inspirational man, Ian Spring’s book goes a long way towards establishing an objective framework for continued study of Hamish Henderson’s life and work.”
Hamish Henderson, A Critical Appreciation, by Ian Spring is published by Rymour Books, priced £10.99, and available through the firm’s website, www.rymour.co.uk
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