Favourite Irish song

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: framus
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 09:40 PM

Long thread, and maybe I missed it ;-
The West's Asleep (Awake?) - best version, Tommy Makem, with The Clancys.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Bert
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 06:54 AM

Hi DougR, I don't know of Christopher Lynch. Who is he?

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: raredance
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 12:10 AM

I love Tommy Makem's "Curlew Song"

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 09:01 PM

And how is "Sonny's Dream" (Ron Hynes) Irish? Ron Hynes is from Newfoundland, which was in Canada last time I looked! And the video shown is from Gander (also Newfoundland)
(See mg 21.03.12.)
I have a set of 4 song-books called "Songs Sung in the pubs of Ireland" which gets round the fact that there are several Scots, English and other songs in them - but some folk end up believing they are all Irish songs! Or because an Irish band has recorded them, they take on Irish identity.
I've absolutely nothing against the Irish or their many fantastic songs but it does annoy me when songs are wrongly attributed by folk who don't trouble to find out their true origins. (OK I exclude from this ones where there is considerable debate or perhaps several alternative versions - I mean those where there is is a 100% known author).

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Robo
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 06:12 PM

Aye, thanks for the correction. Such a wonderful song . . .

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 05:13 PM

Green Fields Of France(ie No Man's Land) was written by Eric Bogle a Scottish Borderer who emigrated to Australia in his 20s. Not Irish.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Robo
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 04:57 PM

Can one actually pick just one? No way. How about . . .

Jimmy Mo Mhile Stor
The Ballad of William Bloat
Green Fields of France and
The Town I loved So Well

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 09:19 AM

Cecilia Costello's The Grey Cock.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: DougR
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 04:14 PM

Bert: Are you a fan of Christopher Lynch? I posted something about him several years ago and his son-in-law posted a reply and mentioned that the the family was working on a CD of his songs to be released sometime in the future. As far as I know, it never was and I wonder why. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the mudcatter who wrote me.

(Apologies for thread creep)

DougR

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Dug
Date: 25 Mar 12 - 06:01 PM

The Foggy Dew

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 06:26 PM

Ah ~~ now once we get into rebel songs ~~ Foggy Dew, Johnson's Motor Car, My Name is O'Hanlon ...!!!!!

BTW ~ how about The Ould Triangle, then? The Bown & the Yellow Ale?

~M~

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: KHNic
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 05:13 PM

Have we got this far without mentioning Down by the Glenside, or Glory Oh to our bold Fenian men as some would call it.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Bert
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 05:02 PM

Nice one Doug.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 02:18 PM

Indeed ~~ or that other great Irish tenor, Count John McCormack.

Likewise The Mountains Of Mourne.

And many others by the great Percy French.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: DougR
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 02:08 PM

"The Rose of Tralee" sung by the great Irish tenor, Christopher Lynch.

DougR

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 08:00 AM

Don't know that one, LF ~~ how does it go? [If you mean "Wi' a hundred pipers an' a', an' a'", that's Scottish, not Irish!]

~M~

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Mar 12 - 07:50 AM

Havent done this for a while , but




                               100

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Elmore
Date: 23 Mar 12 - 09:35 PM

No One As Irish As Barack Obama by Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Jon Corelis
Date: 23 Mar 12 - 06:42 PM

Oops, just after posting that I came across a reference to another edition publ. Donaghadee, N. Ireland, Ballyhay Books, 2004, which is presumably the same book, but doesn't seem to be any cheaper or more commonly available than the edition I cited above.


Jon Corelis

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Jon Corelis
Date: 23 Mar 12 - 06:40 PM

I was interested in the book mentioned above by one poster, Songs of the County Down. The only book of that title I can find a reference to is Songs of the County Down by Jackie Boyce, Cottage Publications 2005. Is this the correct book? If so, unfortunately so far as I can tell it is out of print and available used only at high prices (US$ 80 and up,) and seems to be in very few libraries. If anyone knows of a later or cheaper edition, or if this is the wrong book, please post.


Jon Corelis
The summer will come: an Irish song

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 05:57 PM

and Lord Gregory...

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 05:55 PM

In different ways ~~

Dick Darby the Cobbler
Verdant Braes of Skreen
The Garden Where The Praties Grow
Eileen Oge
The Star Of The County Down
       ........................................

~M~

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Bert
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 03:42 PM

Bold Robert Emmett
Dear Old Shannon Shore
Noreen Bawn

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 03:35 PM

here is Ron Hynes and others singing at a festival recently..love the teenagers joining in and dancing..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9v6MrDcyQA

How does a song turn into an anthem? I don't know...but this is a great song...but please do put sneakers back into it..as he has here. mg

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Rog Peek
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 03:15 PM

'City of Chicago' Luka Bloom.

For me, his older brother's version is the best I've heard.

Rog

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 05:03 PM

Yes kenny, Hamish Imlach it was ! I suppose that "mess" is a bit critical and subjective but I learned it from listening to the Wonderful Grand Band with Ron Hynes singing the lead. It was a song full of life but Hamish and Christy Moore sang it as a dirge. They also changed the word "sneakers".

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 07:15 AM

Mary From Dungloe.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 20 Mar 12 - 06:23 AM

Hamish Imlach used to sing "Sonny's Dream". Whether or not he "made a mess of it" is a personal opinion to which you're perfectly entitled, but others may disagree.
Yes to "Arthur McBride" by Paul Brady - but I always thought "I Am A Youth That's Inclined To Ramble" - on the same LP - was even better.
Reminded of one other - "Shamrock Shore", which Paul Brady sang unaccompanied on the mainly instrumental album where he accompanied Matt Molloy and Tommy Peoples. A fine song , very well sung.
A couple of humourous songs also come to mind :
"Paddy And The Ass" - by a singer who I think deserves to be better known, Donal Maguire.
"The Beauty Spot Glenlee / Glenleigh [ ? ]" - sung by Sean Cannon, or the late, much-missed Seamus Creagh [ RIP ].

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: PHJim
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 10:11 PM

Here's a link - Paul Brady - Arthur McBride

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: PHJim
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 10:04 PM

If, by "Maggie" the poster meant, "When You And I Were Young Maggie," that song was written in Mount Hope, Ontario, not Ireland. "The Unicorn" is an American song written by Shel Siverstein. "Sonny's Dream" was written in St John's Newfoundland by Ron Hines.

My favourite has already been mentioned - Arthur McBride sung and played by Paul Brady

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Lighter
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 09:22 PM

I'm not speaking for myself, mind you, but when I visited the local "Irish-themed" saloon to hear some live trad music on Saturday, the crowd clamored for "The Unicorn."

Performed with gestures.

Considering the two encores (decently spaced, of course), I'd have to say that was the biggest Irish hit of the evening.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 06:30 PM

I am also very fond of Dan O'Hara..I learned it as a very bouncy song with the most aweful sad story..and it is a true story and he is a true man..but the tune is in such contrast...I think that really helps to make a good Irish song..for some of us at least..wrapping up this awful terrible news in such a pretty tune that we sort of forget what is happening. mg

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 04:15 PM

On second thought maybe I'm wrong about Hamish. Sorry Jim! Christy Moore
certainly messed it up!

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 04:05 PM

Yeh Mary,
Someone, and I'm think Hamish Henderson, made a mess of Sonny's Dream!

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 03:58 PM

I am fond of the ROse of Tralee...about a young woman who died..and of course lots of the rebel songs...Boys of the Old Brigade especially..the other Bold Fenian Men..see who comes over the red blossom heather..

Thinking of singing three grains of corn to Maggie and singing it like a rebel song almost...with lots of editing and cutting..because it is a true story..name and location of boy are known.

Sonny's Dream is a Newfoundalnd song. Went to Ireland and came back as a dirge.

I am also discovering George Millar of Irish Rovers as a songwriter..they just sort of melt into the pot...mg

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 03:34 AM

"I believe he was born in Scotland." You are right Bogle is a Scottish Borderer from the Peebles area. He emigrated to Australia in his 20s. Absolutely nothing Irish about the said song!

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,Allen in Oz
Date: 19 Mar 12 - 01:00 AM

I was shown as a guest at 6.14pm but I am Allen in Oz ...a member for many years

Allen in oz

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 06:14 PM

Back Home in Derry

Whiskey in the Jar

Step it Out Mary

AD

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: kendall
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 11:48 AM

No, Dan, it was written by Eric Bogle who lives in Australia. I believe he was born in Scotland.
It certainly is sad enough to be Irish though.

Robbie O'Connells Road to Dunmore. Not sure of the spelling. Lovely love song.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 10:42 AM

don't know if it is pure Irish but Kendall singing "the band played waltzing Matilda" does it for me

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Jon Corelis
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 09:55 AM

I believe I've read that the London lawyer who wrote Danny Boy never set foot in Ireland.

I can best express my opinion of that song by paraphrasing Oscar Wilde: it takes a heart of stone to hear Danny Boy without laughing.

My own favorite Irish song, if I had to choose one, would be The summer will come. Ned of the Hill and Dark Rosaleen, though somewhat of old chestnuts, are also good, provided the singer avoids the all too frequent fault of oversentimentalizing them.

Jon Corelis

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 08:13 AM

"Sweet King Williamstown" - as sung by Cara Dillon on the "Oige" cassette tape.
"Sweet Maid Of Rosses" as recorded by "Malin Head". "Malin Head" were a Scottish/Irish band based around the Hyde brothers Brendan and Kevin. This song is on a recording they made, but I have the cassette but no insert. Does anyone know who the lady singer was who sang the song on that recording ? Her first name may have been Bridget.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 12:25 PM

Just back from a week in Ireland, where everything was very obviously gearing up for St Patrick's celebrations, which now seem to go on for a week or more!
On another thread I posted words to the tune "Londonderry Air" (same tune as Danny Boy) - as "In Derry Vale".
Then there's "Derry Gaol" - fantastic version by Paul Brady and cara Dillon on one of the Transatlantic Sessions series.
And another Thomas Moore: "The Last Rose of Summer".
And Boulavogue, and The Salley Gardens, and the Verdant Braes of Skreen.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 17 Mar 12 - 11:25 AM

My favourite to sing and to listen to are different. I have had the pleasure of hearing Tommy Makem live several times singing his great composition Four Green Fields and that I rate as first but there is so much wonderful Irish stuff out there I could spend the day typing a list of favourites. I sing a lot of Irish songs but The Irish Wake is probably the one that I have the most fun with. I also love to sing the rebel songs with The Wearing Of The Green, Kevin Barry, and The Rising Of The Moon being my top three.
All that being said Four Green Fields is tops but nobody but Tommy could do it as well as himself!
Four Green Fields

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 10:39 PM

So seven years on has it changed?
I'd have to add in the flower of Magherally

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 04:05 AM

Follow Me Up To Carlow. Ancient tune newer words.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,eoin o'buadhaigh
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 03:34 AM

little bridget flynn. . .
we may and might never all meet here again

there are so many it's difficult to pick one above the others!
I love them all!
            eoin

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 07:35 PM

> Come By The Hills by Fureys and Davey Arthur

Irish tune, Scottish words (by W. Gordon Smith). The Fureys may have recorded it but wrote none of it.

> The Parting Glass

17th century Scottish (Goodnight and Joy Be With You All)

> Wild Mountain Thyme sung by Connie Dover (that one might start an origins argument)

Which would be over rather fast on searching the archives here.

One lovely Irish tune I'm curious about: Apple Praties. It's in Kerr's collection of the 1880s; I don't think I've ever seen it anywhere else. It must be the tune for a song. Nobody but me seems to play it. Anyone here know anything about it?

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 01:34 PM

Spancil Hill is a very good song made all the more real if you read the thread on its origins.

Subject: RE: Favourite Irish song
From: Boab
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 03:31 AM

There's a Thomas Moore composition which Ilike very much too---"I Saw from the Beach"