Mary Black's Collected album, as originally released in Ireland on cassette in 1984, combined three tracks from DeDanann's " Song for Ireland " album (1983), three tracks from the " General Humbert II " album (1982), and four tracks recorded by Mary Black during October of 1984 especially for the album. Mary re-recorded " Song for Ireland " for the Collected CD, released in Ireland in 1988.
When composer Archie Fisher was commissioned to write a song for a BBC program celebrating the new oil economy of Scotland, he submitted Men of Worth, a song which points out the pitfalls of trading a way of life for easy company money. Although Men of Worth was rejected for its original purpose, it may well become an anthem in this age of multinational corporations.
Mary is backed up by Uilleann Pipes and Sitar on the traditional She Moves Through The Fair.
Both Sides The Tweed features Robert Burns' poem set to music by Dick Gaughan.
Hard Times is by the 19th Century American composer, Stephen C. Foster.
Isle of St. Helena takes a playful look at Napoleon's exile as a reminder that one's status in life is never assured.
My Youngest Son Came Home Today is a classic anti-war song by Scotland's Eric Bogle.