To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=11043
15 messages

Lyr Req: Christmas in Carrick (Seamus McGrath)

19 May 99 - 07:59 PM (#79943)
Subject: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: dubman@ns.sympatico.ca

Unsure of title. It could be "Christmas in Carrick". "Christmas comes but once a year..." is the only line I know. Any assistance is very much appreciated!

19 May 99 - 09:33 PM (#79963)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: katlaughing

You might try looking here

19 May 99 - 09:35 PM (#79964)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: katlaughing

I am SO sorry!! I missed one letter in the address.

Please try this

Sorry!

19 May 99 - 10:49 PM (#79979)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: SingsIrish Songs

I have it on a Christmas cd...I'll see if the lyrics are audible and attempt to transcribe it if possible...I'll let you know.

Mary

20 May 99 - 10:07 AM (#80087)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: dubman@ns.sympatico.ca

Additional info... I know the song was recorded on a Clancy Brothers Live Christmas Album (20-30 yrs. ago) katlaughing - Thanks for introducing me to the site above. It has lots of info. However, I couldn't find anything on the song I'm looking for. Mary - I hope you can find the lyrics because I don't know where else to look. Thanks.

20 May 99 - 02:57 PM (#80171)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: SingsIrish Songs

It is the Clancy Brother's Christmas CD I have...and as we all know, it is sometimes difficult to make out the words...I'm going to give it a try since it is one I want to learn the words to as well. May take a day or two since I am contending with a 20 month old who demands (in a good way) lots of my attention.

Mary

21 May 99 - 04:08 AM (#80391)
Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS IN CARRICK (Seamus McGrath)
From: SingsIrish Songs

Christmas in Carrick
by Seamus McGrath

On the road the frost is glistening
People stream from midnight mass.
Friendly candles glow in windows
Strangers greet you as you pass.
Home then to the laden table
Ham and goose and pints of beer.
Whiskey handed 'round in tumblers
Christmas comes but once a year.

Puddings made with eggs and treacle,
Seeded raisins and brown suet,
Sifted breadcrumbs and mixed spices,
Grated rind and plenty fruit,
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg,
Porter, brandy and old ale.
Don't forget the wine and whiskey.
Christmas comes but once a year.

Women, fussing in the kitchen,
Lay the food on every plate.
Men there patient in the hallway
Gulping porter while they wait.
Who cares if we're poor tomorrow.
Now's the time to spread good cheer.
Pass the punch around the table.
Christmas comes but once a year.

as transcribed from The Clancy Brothers: CHRISTMAS

21 May 99 - 04:12 AM (#80392)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: SingsIrish Songs

that's strange that the entire lyrics came up bold...I was trying for only the title...

Anyway, hope that helps, dubman!

Sláinte!

Mary

21 May 99 - 04:38 AM (#80395)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: Wolfgang

Mary,
I had a look in the document source. After the title you typed the end command without the backslash before the b. That's the reason why.

Wolfgang

21 May 99 - 02:53 PM (#80517)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: dubman@ns.sympatico.ca

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! Mary, if you want to send me your email address I'll let you know why I wanted the lyrics so badly. My address is dubman@ns.sympatico.ca

Cheers!

Dianne

21 May 99 - 03:35 PM (#80529)
Subject: RE: HELP! Need lyrics - Irish Christmas Carole
From: SingsIrish Songs

Afterwards I decided I must have missed the backslash...thanks for confirming that Wolfgang...at 1:08 in the morning where I live, I wasn't about to look through the HTML info. LOL

Mary

18 Jun 17 - 07:12 AM (#3861550)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Christmas in Carrick (Seamus McGrath)
From: GUEST

Hi

Is this song written by Seamus McGrath, or is it a traditional Irish Christmas song?
And or is it sung by Seamus McGrath?

Will really appreciate if someone can provide some information on these questions.

Thanks in advance.
Jinsong

19 Jun 17 - 02:38 AM (#3861661)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Christmas in Carrick (Seamus McGrath)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

I have never heard (or read) of it other than in the context of The Clancy Brothers - who always credited it to Seamus McGraht (of whom I know nothing). The words have no trace ot traditonal folk-processing.

Regards

p.s.Given the Clancy Brothers connection, my instinct is that the "Carrick" referred to is Carrick-on-Suir rather than Carrick-on-Shannon, as some sources seem to think.

27 Jun 17 - 10:22 AM (#3863122)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Christmas in Carrick (Seamus McGrath)
From: GUEST

WOW....
First I really didn't expect any reply since the post before mine dated back to 99!!!

According to what I have found in Discogs, Seamus McGrath is a nephew of the Clancy Brothers.
but I am not totally sure it is the same Seamus McGrath as the credit of this song goes to.

I also found this:

http://clancybrothersandtommymakem.com/cbtm_d27_christmas.htm

"Finbar Furey: 5-string Banjo, Uilleann Pipes and Whistle & backing vocals (un-credited)
Eddie Furey: Guitar & backing vocals (un-credited)"

"Side one closes with the festive party song " Christmas In Carrick" (you can hear the Fureys sing on this one). Its great fun."

Well the vocal part in this song really doesn't fit their voices quite well, Seamus McGrath might be the leading singer since the Fureys were credited as "uncredited" backing vocals.
Anyway, I still cann't find any supporting facts..

Jinsong

28 Jun 17 - 12:08 AM (#3863213)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Christmas in Carrick (Seamus McGrath)
From: GUEST,Tinker from Chicago

I hear it as "Men impatient in the hallway."