The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #10040   Message #67041
Posted By: Penny
31-Mar-99 - 07:28 AM
Thread Name: Ancient Irish Songs
Subject: Ancient Irish Songs
Does anyone have any information about the sort of music the Irish were singing during (about) the eleventh century (or earlier)? Are there any existing lyrics? What do they suggest about the melodic structure of songs? Is there any trace of melodies recorded anywhere? Or, indeed, English songs from the early medieval period. There is a tale about St. Aldhelm at Malmesbury (an Irish foundation) singing for the local populace so wonderfully that they followed him into the church. It must have been worth listening to.