Waulking songs are another unique form of gaelic song. They are working songs, fitting in rhythm and melody to the respective tasks they were performed to. The waulking of the wool to shrink it and make it tighter and smoother, was a time consuming process. A group of women would sit around a long table and pounding the cloth to the board to the rhythm of their songs for hours. Most Waulking songs are very long, 20 verses are not rare. One woman would sing the verse and the others would fall in with the chorus. In Scotland it was a female domain, whereas in Cape Breton men took part in the waulking. In Cape Breton waulking songs are called "Milling songs".
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