Singing and the Dùsgaidhean: The Impact of Religious Awakenings on Musical Creativity in the Outer Hebrides

Abstract

The evangelical revivals (known in English as ‘awakenings’ and in Gaelic as na dùsgaidhean) of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries had an immediate impact upon singing and music-making in Presbyterian communities in the Western Isles as well as a significant long-term effect on both traditional and sacred musical practice and performance. Awakenings often led converts to re-evaluate their participation in traditional music-making and singing and compelled many to give up their secular music practices upon conversion. Even so, music-making itself was not discouraged, and these religious revivals created an environment which encouraged converts to replace their secular repertoire with spiritual songs and hymns, and to embrace the singing and new composition of spiritual songs to express their newly experienced Christian faith. This article examines the impact of religious revivals on music-making in the Outer Hebrides – particularly Lewis – and the significant musical shifts, including the composition of new repertoire, which took place within communities as a result.