Need suggestions for Celtic song

Subject: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Kathy Adams
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 09:16 AM

I have the opportunity to sing in a concert with a traditional Celtic band. We can suggest a song to do, but my knowledge of Celtic songs is lacking. Does anyone have any suggestions for:

1. something family friendly
2. quick moving, upbeat
3. with personality, fun, perhaps with a story to it

Thanks for any help!
Kathy

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Beer
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 09:22 AM

Here is a quick suggestion Kathy.
Tell Me Ma. It is on You Tube if you don't know the melody. But it is simple and up beat.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 09:28 AM

How about Bryan O'linn?

http://www.ingeb.org/songs/brianoli.html

I love the verse where he needs a watch, so he hollows out a turnip and puts a cricket in it to make it tick.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Les from Hull
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:27 AM

If you want a Irish song, why not ask for an Irish song. The Celts were not known for their singing.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Emma B
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:44 AM

There are many excellent songs from countries with a 'Celtic' language tradition in Welsh, Breton, Manx, Gaelic and even old Cornish but, sigh, I presume you're looking for something 'Oirish'

A beautiful song here

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,maple_leaf_boy
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:29 AM

"Afton Water" aka "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton". It's a family friendly
song; it's in waltz time, so it's good for dancing. I usually play it as
a slow mellow type song with a rise in volume in the bridge, but it can
be played as a fast waltz.

"Wraggle, Taggle Gypsies."
"Down In My Sallys Garden."
"Rocky Road To Dublin" (is always a fun fast tune).

I would say "Kilgary Mountain" aka "Whiskey In The Jar", but some of the
lyrics wouldn't seem like a family friendly song, due to the prison
related lyrics from a version I know. Unless someone knows a version
with different lyrics. The melody, beat and chorus are always fun to
sing and dance along to, though.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:30 AM

Rattlin' Roarin' Willie, or maybe even Dance To Your Daddy (When the Boat Comes In). The latter is an English song, but it's great.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:32 AM

Maple leaf boy, don't you think Raggle Taggle Gypsies is just as bad as Whiskey in the Jar, if not worse? Adultery, racism and hangings.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Emma B
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:39 AM

"Down In My Sallys Garden." ?

Do you mean 'Down By The Salley Gardens'?

'Gort na Saileán' is a well-known poem by William Butler Yeats included in his book, The Wanderings of Oisin and Other Poems, published in 1889.
"Salley" is an anglicisation of the Irish saileach, meaning willow.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:44 AM

You know, there are several songs that have been/could be suggested and many of them would work quite well; folks can also discuss or argue the correctness, rightness, bestest (I love that word) or uselessness of any, or all of them; however, as a performer of family material at pubs, libraries and Celtic festivals on a regular basis, I can say without equivocation that there is one song that bridges all and never fails to delight the children AND the adults -
"The Unicorn Song."

Sure, it was written by a Jewish guy from New York, but it has been a part of the "Irish community" since the Irish Rovers released it to a world-wide audience back in the sixties. When you add in the
"hand signs" that go along with the song - you can't miss.
Good luck,.............mwh

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,maple_leaf_boy
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:47 AM

Hi, Volgadon:
I was browsing the threads when I noticed your quick response:
I know that's in the original song, but I heard another version that
has different lyrics. I just can't remember the name of the band,
though.
If I can't find the version and get the lyrics, it may be better
as an instrumental.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 11:56 AM

I'm not sure about "The Unicorn". I've never heard it sung in any Irish pub in the UK or Ireland that I've been in or indeed sung by anyone apart from The Bachelors on the radio. Perhaps it's only in the US Irish community that it's popular. Can anyone confirm or deny it's popularity as an "Irish" song on the Eastern side of the Atlantic?

Kathy, I too would recommend "Tell Me Ma" on the grounds that it's once most Irish bands could do well with a mininum of rehearsal (or even none).

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: open mike
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 12:03 PM

where are you cathy?

certainly you do not plan to sing in Gaelic (celtic)
with no knowledge of the language?

here is a song that might work for you..

Star of the County Down
http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=5537

last verse "with my hair combed right and my shoes shined bright"

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Kathy Adams
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 12:22 PM

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I will take a look (and listen) to all these songs when I get home (and my internet is not blocked like here at work...)

Sorry about the loose use of the word 'Celtic'. The concert is a collaboration between the choir I sing in and a group called Wild Notes, who play Irish tunes here in CT. I am looking for a song in English (have done some Gaelic before but would not want to try it for this concert).

Keep the suggestions coming!
Sincere thanks,
Kathy

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,maple_leaf_boy
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 12:34 PM

"The Gypsy Rover" was the one I was thinking of. It is one of the
related songs, but isn't vulgar.
The lyrics are on Mudcat.
http://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=2460
There are two other versions also posted, but this is the most
appropriate version.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 01:24 PM

The Gypsy Rover was actually written for a children's programme wasn't it?

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Kathy Adams
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 02:01 PM

It does not have to be a children's song (or a song that children would like, even) -- just cannot have references to sex, booze, etc. It is a public concert and we want families to feel welcome.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 02:08 PM

Emma B

Sally did indeed have a garden - and salley, saileach, and sallow all come from Latin - with an unknown number of (rambling) branches!

Regards

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Emma B
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 02:51 PM

Thank you for the etymology Martin, however I am aware of the botanic family - Salicaceae.

However, I think you might find that the female name Sally derives from the Hebrew and comes from a pet name for Sarah denoting a woman of high rank and not the the willow gardens of Yates poem.

Regards

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 03:04 PM

Exactly - and Sally's Garden is earlier than Yates poem, which seems to be based on another branch - "Ye Rambling Boys of Peasure".

Regards
p.s. Cad as a dtagann "Gort na Saileán", BTW - níor chualas riamh trácht air?

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 03:32 PM

and of course there is that well known Oirish song, included in most 'Celtic' collections - Dirty Old Town :-D

Cheers

DeG
(from Salford in case anyone thought I was serious...)

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 03:53 PM

To get back to Kathy's question... Ask the band! If they can't suggest something that they're happy with and THINK you might be happy with, it's unlikely to work well anyway. Good luck with it.

Regards

p.s. You thinking only of a solo - or bringing in the choir?

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Les from Hull
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 04:06 PM

It's sometimes nice to combine a song with a tune. You'll need a song that you can sing in an appropriate key (G or D mainly if it's in a major key) and a tune in the same sort of meter. I've done a version of 'Spanish Lady' as more of a slow lament (it's an unrequited love song) with bits of the reel 'Christmas Eve' built into it, and then a more up tempo reel at the end.

If the band are used to playing tunes, it would help if they also know how to accompany songs. Many don't! Best of luck with it, and I hope that you all enjoy yourselves - that's what it's all about after all!

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,DAVE_
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 04:14 PM

I suggest the Ferryman, or Spancil Hill with a nice little tune popped in the middle

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Michele Callaghan
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 04:45 PM

The Clancy Brothers had a whole album of children's songs and family songs in Irish and in English. Another thought is Clannad's Teir Abhaile Dhu (Not sure about the spelling). It is a fun song that is easy to translate and sing for older children.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 04:55 PM

"Spanish Lady" is a good suggestion, I reckon. Not too slow - and with space for both band and choir, if you like.

Regards

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: drunkasaskunk
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 05:19 PM

why not try Em/D- Am/g jam like oro she do bheata bhaile, you know the one, surely; horslips did a fine free-form version called' furniture'etc. one of the few things they got right, fusion-wise; you don;t need a melody, it's there once you get the riff going in 4/4 and improvise then; do a change to C/G/F*mi/D7/E like a bridge
that's Fsharp minor, dunno where that symbol is lurkin'; i have many songs that i lash out like, kinda raw and topical. where can i post lyrics on tthis sight- i only found it 2 days past looking for limericks.......

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 06:56 PM

David el Gnomo, I'll see your Dirty Old Town, and raise you a Belfast Mill.

The Irish Ballad is family friendly, for The Addams Family.

There's an Ed McCurdy song the Chad Mitchell Trio recorded, called An Irish Song. Starts out, "As I walked out one May morning/To take a pleasant air/I saw a pretty girl walking by/With roses in her hair/I stepped right up and I said to her/Pretty girl I think you're grand/She smiled at me and said, Of course/I come from Ireland."

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Kathy Adams
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:01 PM

So far I definitely like:
Raggle Taggle Gypsies
Spanish Lady
Rattlin Roarin Willie

On the advice of a friend (one of the band members) I took a listen to some of the Poozies music. From there I went to Kate Rusby's albums and found:
The Old Man
Sir Eglamore

LOVE the stories these tell. Not sure which one I'll end up with but am emailing my friend tonight to see what he thinks.

Thanks for the help, more comments welcome...
Kathy

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:12 PM

I think "The Unicorn" has never made it back across the Atlantic Ocean.

Well, unicorns don't like ships and suchlike - that's why they never got on the Ark.

Anyway, I've never heard anyone sing it.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: ardmacha joe
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 05:27 AM

try the wolfe tones version of For Ireland I'll not tell her name
.this is the english version of AR Eireann Ni Neosfainn Ce Hi recorded by Liam Clancy. Beautiful music and lovely lyrics

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 05:35 AM

"Need suggestions for Celtic song"
Would suggest you didn't use the word Celtic unless you want to be mistaken for a football team
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Paul Burke
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 06:08 AM

Try My Lagan Love - the range is just a touch challenging, but the tune is lovely. It's actually quite difficult to get a good version of The tune on the web, but this is a good starting point.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 06:24 AM

Awfully sorry, but I always thought "Spanish Lady" was about a prostitute.

BtC

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Stu
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 06:51 AM

Here's a Health to the Company
Spancil Hill
Follow me up to Carlow
Cold Blow and the Rainy Night (English but Planxty did the best version in my opinion)
Anything by the Pogues but especially Fairytale in New York
Song for Ireland
The Rocky Road to Dublin
Arthur McBride

also not so Irish but good:
Ride On
Farewell Nova Scotia
Beeswing
The Bonny Ship The Diamond
The White Hare of Howden
The Poacher's Fate
Good Ale

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Hi Lo
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 08:12 AM

I find that people always seem to enjot Star of The County Down, The Holy Ground, Marie's Wedding. All good for audience participation.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 08:31 AM

Anything by the Pogues, family friendly?

Anyway, I thought of another one, the Queen of Argyll by Silly Wizard.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Jim McLean
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 09:21 AM

McGrath of Harlow, I produced an LP of children's songs sung by Don Spencer which included the Unicorn. This would be around 1979 and it was for the children's TV series PlaySchool .. but I don't suppose you watched Playschool!
Cheers,

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: srich
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 09:22 AM

I am not certain if Mary Mack would qualify for a Celtic song or not, but was certainly well known in many of the Celtic countries. It is upbeat, tells a story, has humor and can be joined in by all on the chorus. It is simply a great singer, as I like to call songs that let a singer sing with all of the gusto and imagination one can muster.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 02:25 AM

Google Seamus Kennedy. You will find most of his Irish songs fit your requirements, and there are about 14 CDs to select from. and you can hear a couple of the numbers from each CD on CD Baby, and see him on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Need suggestions for Celtic song
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 04:19 AM

Spancil Hill tells a nice story
Galway girl is upbeat and a crowd pleaser, check out Mundy & Shannon`s version
Star of the County Down and the Dungarvin Oak all are nice