The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #74962   Message #1311614
Posted By: GUEST
30-Oct-04 - 03:55 PM
Thread Name: Songs about foxhunting in Ireland
Subject: RE: Foxhunting in Ireland & songs about it
Two instrumental virtuoso pieces - the Foxchase for the pipes and the Foxhunter's Reel for the fiddle. Foxchase is a suite which incorporates some pieces which also have an independent existence. Other parts of it replicate the sounds of the hunt and of the fox at different times through the chase. Song tune at the end has various versions with words in Irish, English and mixed Irish and English (macaronic) - dialogue between farmer and fox etc. Should be in the archives here. Search for something like Maidrín Rua, Good Morrow Fox,

Any interest in coursing - try The Bogs of Shanaheever. If you don't find it on the net, it is on CD by Johnny Mháirtín Learaí on Cló Iar-Chonnachta label. Joe Heaney rendition may also be available on CD (it is a little "more corrupt").

"The Fox went out in a hungry plight" amongst the Songs of Elizabeth Cronin edited by Professor Dáibhí Ó Cróinín (Four Courts Press, Dublin). One of the "Before he reached his den-O" things.