I wasn't going to contribute to this thread until I read Martin's reference to my poor song being referred to as a "Reader's Digest" ersatz version of the original and a bloodless precis of Macbeth. Ooooh...that hurts a little.
Let me put the song in context. It is true that the song was written many years ago as a result of a bet with my wife. Because it was written as a bet I never really rated the song that much. I have long been of the belief that if you take your ideas only from one person it is stealing, if you take it from many people, it is research.
So it is really somewhere between stealth and research. Of course the song is based on Sigerson Clifford's poem, but was written to be a little bit more singer friendly. In any event, I forgot about the song for a fair number of years and only resurrected it when people began asking for it at gigs and folk festivals.
Murray is right. Niamh did take the song and change the air. I thought that was a bit of a shame because it robbed the song of some of the tension that resulted from the semi-tones. However, it proved popular enough and I'm delighted at the success it eventually achieved.
I don't play in the Listowel Arms anymore but can be found far too often in John B. Keane's pub in Church Street where I would be delighted to meet with any wandering mudcatters and join them in strong drink, weak music and much late night divilment.........Mickey