Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: SINSULL Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:47 PM I love danny Boy and loved the hour long special on PBS with everyone from Sinead O'Connor to Johnny Cash singing a version. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Richard Bridge Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:46 PM You actually need a singer as good as the late Count John MacCormack to make it work. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: SINSULL Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:45 PM This reminds me of a comedy skit on the radio. The head of a choral group was being asked how he managed to get so much funding for his group. He had discovered a federal grant that paid you every time you did NOT sing Shenandoah. So his group had learned and invented several hundred versions including Samba and Fox Trot. It was hilarious to hear them sing them. They were paid for not singing each and every version. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:44 PM Unfortunately it has become a song like "Kumbayah" and "Tom Dooley" that stir up all kinds of sterotypes. The shame of it is, it is a beautiful sentimental old song and in the right circumstances, it is a joy to listen to. In a pub, sung with the wrong enthusiasm, it is a terror. There are some beautiful stories shared hear, which just shows the power of music. We can be cynical about this and other songs - but we are the poorer for it. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Jim Lad Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:38 PM Right! "The Unicorn". Got it. Didn't like that Humpty backed Campbells" line anyway. Any others or should I just throw out the whole pub set? Wait a minute... I've quit pubs. Think I mentioned that recently. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Richard Bridge Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:34 PM Cho: Oh no the Fields of Athenry If I hear it one more time I think I'll die It's such a boring song it goes on and on and on I'm so fed up with the Fields of Athenry By a lonely prison wall I heard a young girl calling Michael they are singing it again If I hear it one more time, I think I'll lose my mind I'm so fed up with the Fields of Athenry Cho From within the prison wall I heard a young man calling Mary why do you think I'm here In here we all agree Transportation'll set us free Free from the Fields of Athenry Cho. By a lonely harbour wall I saw the last star falling As the prison ship sailed out against the tide Hold on that girl did say I'm coming with you to Botany Bay To escape from the Fields of Athenry Cho |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:24 PM "So sign me unabashedly trite" unabashedly honest, kat, and kudos for that :-) (omigod THAT rhymed *LOL*) Charlotte (a sentimental old fool) |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Big Mick Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:17 PM There is no question there are any number of times the song is appropriate. One of the last times I sang it was on the shores of a wilderness lake on Beaver Island. I had gone there because a dear friend who was descended from the Irish settlers of the Island had his ashes spread there. I sang it to him, his name was Danny O'Donnell. It is a beautiful lyric, and a beautiful tune. But I just don't sing it for a bunch of drunk, once a year Irish folks, in a pub where most folks aren't listening anyway. I completely agree with the sentiment expressed by Jim Lad and others. We are entertainers, but this is just a shortcoming on my part. I just won't do it, unless I feel it is the time and place. BTW........ I won't sing The Unicorn either ....... it has already marginalized one pretty damn fine Irish band, it ain't gettin' mine.... Mick |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:13 PM "there is nothing more disheartening than the look on some-one's face when they ask for a song like Danny Boy and don't get it" I do a fairly large number of what I call mini-concerts, at the local retirement community, every year, and I perform Danny Boy because that's one of the songs the audience likes to hear it;and you know what? I'm not going to stop performing it just because a few people don't like it. Charlotte (the view from Ma and Pa's piano stool) |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Beer Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:07 PM Good one Jim. Lol. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Phil Cooper Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:07 PM I'm ambivalent about Danny Boy. I've heard and enjoyed it sung well, and heard it murdered by bad singing. Margaret and I were playing for people in an AIDS ward years ago (way before the wonder drugs, and most people we were playing for were on the way out). Someone asked if we could play Danny Boy. I did, on the bowed psaltery, and he raised his head up (he was lying down) and said he would applaud, but didn't have the strength. I wouldn't deny someone that moment. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Micca Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:31 PM Schantieman, the song you are referring to is by Malcolm Austen of Maidenhead folk club and is a gem, PM me if you want the full words |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Peace Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:29 PM LOL Jim, you have more than that to sing. I know! |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Jim Lad Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:20 PM Jeeze! I just noticed! Yous want to ban half my bleeding repertoire! |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Jim Lad Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:18 PM Well: We're paid to entertain and to me, there is nothing more disheartening than the look on some-one's face when they ask for a song like Danny Boy and don't get it. It's also about demographics though. Seems my audience is getting older every day. Same people I sang to 25 years ago but some how, they've aged. Now... If somebody wants to ban John McDermott, I'm up for it! |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Rapparee Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:17 PM I don't want it sung at my funeral. I'd prefer something like "Bring out the Black and Tans Come on and drink 'em like a man...." Actually, I don't like DB all that much. Too sentimental for my taste, at least in most settings. And I'm starting to feel that way about "Spancil Hill" as well. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:12 PM The Middle Bar at the Anchor in Sidmouth has a system of fines for misdemeanours, the largest fine on the list is for singing the Wild Rover, perhaps they should add Danny Boy to the list? Giok I think I got that right? |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Beer Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:07 PM Couldn't agree with you more Big Mick. I believe there is a place for it but not in a festive atmosphere of a pub setting. I have sung it many times at old folks home and have heard it just as often at funerals. I have also heard John McDermott sing it in a concert setting and it felt very appropriate. But that is about it. Beer (adrien) |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Schantieman Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:58 PM ...and either it's a different parody from the one in Digitrad or I've got my wires crossed. S |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST,Dani Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:57 PM Stop me if I told this already, but I'm currently working at a place where folks with Alzheimer's are cared for during the day, and the people are just wonderful, and the music is a big part of the day, every day. There is one gentleman, though, who STILL thinks it's funny to sing it when he remembers my name..... Oh, well, delivered with affection, I'll take all the serenading I can get. Kudos on the ban, for sure, thought. Dani |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Suegorgeous Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:57 PM Any chance of starting a campaign for a national ban? :) |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Schantieman Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:57 PM Oh, no, not The Fields of Athenry I've heard that song so much I want to cry. dah dee dum dee da de ding There are far better songs to sing I've had it with The Fields of Athenry. The only person I've heard sing that is Janet Gifford, but I wish I knew it all. It deserves a wider audience. Steve |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: katlaughing Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:42 PM Well, I've got a soft spot for it, but even softer ones for others which I learned, on Mudcat, are not "authentic" or have been done to death...which doesn't bother me because one my mom sang me to sleep with, being Irish Lullaby; one my grandson loves, being The Leprechaun Song and also the Green Alligators song; and three, or is it four, m'dad always played Irish Washerwoman, at my request, so that I could dance to it; and fifth or whatever, I'll Take You Home again Kathleen because both mom and dad sang it me, and, being a "Kathleen" I always felt my heart being tugged to the auld country when they did. So sign me unabashedly trite or whathaveyou and Danny, I'd pay ya to hear ya sing it, too!:-) kat |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST,Tom Bliss Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:39 PM McGrath - that was the Witches version I was referring to... But it's the punchline that makes it: Keep going and going till the audience have got over the shock and given in, and then on the very last line sing 'I love you so' It's genius, and as always, the laugh's in the timing. Tom |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST,Acorn4 Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:35 PM It's a good song but needs a reasonably good singer to make a fist of it - I was once in a pub where I was the only sober person(my turn to drive) when it was attempted - don't you just DREAD that top note in situations like this -with an out of tune fiddle it's possibly even worse -if you're pissed, anything sounds fine! |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:29 PM I prfer the simplified version, where you just sing "Oh Danny Boy" over and over again through the whole tune: Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Danny Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Danny Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy , Oh Danny Danny Boy... And so on. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:15 PM Sorry folks, maybe I'm out of touch, but I will always willingly sing DB on request, as it's a lovely song with a lovely melody. Mind you, I always do any request that doesn't end with the word OFF! Don T. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: artbrooks Date: 06 Mar 08 - 02:03 PM DannyC's story reminds me of the Irish pub in Pensacola, Florida that (at least for a while) had a sign up on the performer's platform that said, "Requests $1 - Danny Boy $10". |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Big Mick Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:56 PM Well said. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: DannyC Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:50 PM I had survived most of an off-night Monday doing a solo up in "The Dubliner" on Capital Hill. Half my brain was engaged dishing out the four green fields of left and right, while the other half was focused on the ball and a half wedge that I'd soon be slipping into my pocket. The night's crowd had been reduced to a dwindling throng of loud, lobbying conventioneers. A sad little man broke away from the gladhanders, gazed up (at "The Dub" you sang aloft in narrow, dangerous, crow's nest of a stage), and asked for DB. I told him that DB cost $12.50, like it was a menu item squeezed between Mrs. Murphy's Potatoes and Mother Mularky's Shephard's Pie. He dottered away,leaving me free to go back to the comfort of my orphic dreaming. Again your man interrupted my daze, presenting the required fee counted out to the penny. I thought of a family relic - a note from the actor, Mickey Shaughnessy, to my father, "Dear Dan, You sing Danny Boy better than I do." With a quick dedication to Shaughnessy, I began... "OH DANNY BOY, THE PIPES THE PIPES..." I must not have done too bad a job, 'cause the drunks went into a hush. One of their lieutenants returned from the jacks' just as I was conjuring the "Ave" at the grave. Having missed the gist of the rendering, he DEMANDED that I sing it again. My little sad friend informed him of the song's tariff, whereupon the pushy lieutenant proclaimed he'd pay me twice the required fee to sing it again. UH OH! I dedicated Round Two to Barry McGuigan's father (quietly uttering a contritional Pater) and began again: "OH DANNY BOY, THE PIPES THE PIPES..." Regrettably the Bull Goose General of this assemblage (a fat- fingered, red-eyed, man of apparant importance) arrived in from Kelly's (next door) near the second round's conclusion. He was livid to have missed the night's big moment, so he walked right up and made an ostentatious contribution to have it sung again - doubling the last offer. I quickly checked over my shoulder for quick gathering lightening clouds. The barman was glaring at me - clearly not amused. I thought of again of Mickey, and my Dad, and the Clones Cyclone - then I thought of Harry Chapin. Stuffing the bills into my shirt, I muttered something about braces for the wee ba' and completed the triple play. The lonely night's ride back through the McHenry Tunnel into smoky Baltimore felt like a log flume amusement ride. The dirty old town floated like a gleaming jewel on the Inner Harbor. Ahh, the magical power of wampum!! I imagined (perhaps hoped) that my windfall would end up as an entry under the "Miscellaneous" column of the lobbyists' expense report(s). Before I go, I will say these things about "Danny Boy". Taken on it's own, it's a beautiful song to a lovely air. It's got a challenging range and, IMHO, many who will not sing Danny Boy, cannot. I might want to pay more honor to the song since it was once a solemn unifying anthem of my caste - big-city, working-class Irish America. My own people loved it. In another circumstance, when McGuigan's father sang it in Belfast before the bout with the Panamanian, it clearly served as a unifying element in that city. Sadly, over the decades it's been abused by the likes of me, though I always try to make a good go of it. Thankfully, I can do it little harm. Regards, Danny |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Wesley S Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:41 PM Jim - Just think of it as a great way to educate the public about other fine Irish songs. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Shaneo Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:40 PM I see where he is offering a free pint of Guinness to anybody who does not sing Danny Boy, well I'm off over there for the free gargle, I'll be pissed for a week. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Big Mick Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:40 PM Jim, I don't disagree, but the thing that drives me nuts is singing it in completely inappropriate settings. I have always refused to sing it during pub gigs. But I have in the right setting. Mick |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Ernest Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:40 PM Maybe the guy just misunderstood the words. It is "The pipes are calling" not "the pipes are smoking". Calling isn`t banned. Seriously, over here Danny Boy is everything but overdone. Probably an US-phenomenon. Wish they would ban "Wild Rover" here. And "Country Roads". Maybe "Whiskey in the Jar" while thy`re at it. ;0) Ernest |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST,Shimrod Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:39 PM I don't suppose anyone could see their way clear to banning 'The Fields of Athenry', could they? I live in hope! |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Jim Lad Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:34 PM And yet.... I hate to say it.... people do love the song. Guess I won't be playing Foley's Pub! |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Peace Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:18 PM "I'd like to believe that there is a God " That is a thread title. I feel Mick's post supplies proof that indeed there IS a God. |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: GUEST, Tom Bliss Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:17 PM I'm going to miss the Witches of Elswick's version :-( Tom |
Subject: RE: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: skarpi Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:16 PM its about time its banned , the derry air lyric I like much better . ATB Skarpi |
Subject: Danny Boy banned in pub.... From: Big Mick Date: 06 Mar 08 - 01:12 PM Good man, ya are.... |
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