Clash Of The Ash is the first single from Runrig

Runrig

Runrig are a Scottish Celtic rock group formed in Skye, in 1973 under the name 'The Run Rig Dance Band'. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included songwriters Rory Macdonald and Calum Macdonald. The current line-up also includes longtime members Malcolm Jones, Iain Bayne, and more...

's thirteenth studio album Everything You See

Everything You See

Everything You See is the thirteenth album by the Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, released by Ridge Records in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2007. All songs were written by band members Calum and Rory Macdonald, except for "Sona" and "And the Accordions Played", which they co-wrote with fellow...

, and was released as a single in 2007. The song is based around the sport of shinty

Shinty

Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...

 and has become an anthem for the sport. http://www.skyecamanachd.com/default.aspx.locid-087new14j.Lang-EN.htm Runrig have previously referenced shinty in the songs Pride Of The Summer from The Cutter And The Clan

The Cutter and the Clan

The Cutter and the Clan is the fifth album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. It was the band's breakthrough album, taking them from cottage industry to the international stage. Originally recorded on the band’s own Ridge label, it was taken on board by Chrysalis Records as part of a 1987 major...

and Recovery from the album of the same name

Recovery (Runrig album)

Recovery is the third album by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig, released in 1981. The album deals with the social history of the Scottish Gàidhealtachd, mirroring a renewed sense of cultural and political identity within the Gaelic community....

.

Themes

The song is based around the sport of shinty and the first verse revolves around a team making their way to an away game, through "straths and glens". Prominent throughout the song is the use of nicknames, which are a common element.

The second verse is a portrayal of a game against Kinlochshiel

Kinlochshiel

Kinlochshiel Shinty Club is a shinty club based in Balmacara, near Kyle of Lochalsh, Lochalsh, Scotland. The club has two sides, a senior team which were champions of North Division One in 2011 and a reserve team in North Division Two...

, the only shinty team named in the song in the line:

But if we do all that and there’s no-one spare
Tell me who’s gonna mark the Kinlochshiel Bear.

This verse refers to various positions on the shinty park as well as the sawdust, a reference to the penalty box aka the "D" which is often marked out with sawdust instead of paint.

The final verse references shinty's long history (shared with hurling

Hurling

Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...

) which stretches back to ancient Celtic history:

And for every fighting Highland man
Stand by your brother, die for the clan.

The song also praises the amateur status of those who play the sport:

These shinty boys shine like the sun.
We don’t play for fame, we don’t play for cash
We just play for the glory, and the clash of the ash.

Live performance history

Clash Of The Ash was played live at the Beat The Drum concert in 2007 featuring Gary Innes

Gary Innes

Gary Innes is a Scottish musician, star shinty player and broadcaster from Spean Bridge, Lochaber, Scotland. He is a wizard accordion player and established Scottish shinty Internationalist...

. It is usually played towards the end of a concert.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axraVp4LOY0