Philippa, Malcolm, I'm amazed at the rapid responses ! thank you both very much and also the tips on local engine management - I used to go to ceili.ie before it got screwed up by silly adverts on weird stuff -first time using this site- complex and comprehensive at first glance ...

Yes it's a tall order to learn the song without knowing what u are singing - though Sting and Marianne Faithful have got away with it on Chieftain's albums and even more laudably by Kate Bush who did a wonderful version of an Irish Song a few years ago- I am hoping to teach local Bristolians who have asked, basic Irish, in the new year, work permitting... I run a little Irish'ism in Bristol and we have good craic - www.hiberniacentre.freeserve.co.uk again thanks, I'm now off to chase the song