When Chris Sheridan of Glasgow-Irish band The Wakes was asked to do a songwriting workshop in support of the Calton Weavers he didn’t give a second thought.  

“I had known nothing of the Calton Weavers until a couple of years ago when were  asked to the songwriting workshops,” says Chris. “It opened my eyes to a slice of our history that has been almost invisible. I could hardly believe that this was never mentioned at school, the strike and the massacre happened just down the road. 

“I strongly believe that wherever people might come from from, they need to know their own local history and heritage. You have to know where you’ve been to know here you’re going. 

“And songs are a great way to introduce people to history. Rather than asking people to plough through books they can at least start to become aware of historic events  through songs and music.”

The popular band and makes no bones about its political views. It sings songs commemorating the Scots who fought fascism in 1930s Spain, of immigration and racism, of alcoholism and sectarianism in Glasgow, of working-class struggle against exploitation.

“We’ve always written songs from a socialist perspective, “ says Chris. “Sometimes that’s conscious and sometimes it’s sub-conscious. As a band we’re all in tune politically as well as musically. Our songs reflect our lives and our collectives political outlook.”

Among his heroes, Chris cites John MacLean, the famous Red Clydesider jailed for sedition for his role in leading the opposition in Scotland the so-called Great War in which 20 million people perished for the greed and glory of European political leaders.

As a songwriter, he draws inspiration from a range of influential figures including Woody Guthrie, Billy Bragg and Joe Strummers. “These are people who have always worn their hearts on the sleeves, says Chris. “Their songs have integrity, simplicity and power. As Bob Dylan once said of Woody, you  you can navigate your life through his songs.”.

Although the band are united when it comes to politics, their musical tastes are diverse. “Our bass and sax player is influenced by jazz, our singer [Chris’s brother Paul] is influenced by the Pogues, the Clash and the Pogues, others are traditional folk musicians. I’ve always  loved country, folk and blues. Out of that mishmash,  we developed  a sound that fuses all of these together – punk, folk, rock, trad, blues and country.”

Chris and the rest of the band have become  staunch supporters of  the Calton Weavers Commemoration Committee and have now confirmed they will play at the Great Mayday Cabaret on Monday 4 May.

So how did the songwriting workshops go? “Well, I was just helping to guide it, to navigate the ship. We had a handful of people involved and set an ambitious  target at the start of writing ten songs. I was really pleased that we actually hit that target, so from nothing  the group managed to bring to life a whole clutch of songs about this important but little-known part of Scottish working-class history.”

The songs open with The Ballad of James Granger in honour of the man that the authorities described as the ringleader of the strike. He survived the massacre but was then arrested and dragged  before the High Court in Edinburgh and banished to Australia, leaving behind a wife and six children. 

The collection ends with a song called the Return of James Granger that describes his return to Scotland after six long years in exile where he resumed his radical activities. “So, when there’s workers on the picket line or struggle in the air; when there’s a fight for workers’ rights, you’ll find James Granger there.”

Listen/download here the Songs of the Calton Weavers

Get your tickets here for the Great May Day Cabaret 2026 with The Wakes, the Tenementals, Susan Morrison and other great performers