Happy Irish song medley anyone?

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Steve-o
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 02:13 PM

I recommend you don't sing "tula rula rula"- might get laughed out of the joint.

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: GUEST,Claire
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 01:55 PM

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Turns out, we suggested that the person requesting Irish Eyes lead us all in a chorus or two. It turned out just fine.

I do think it would be handy to have a medley with a few sing along type choruses linked by tunes (since we are trad), It could be fun for any gig. I guess we will just have to do it ourselves.

Thanks for the input,

Claire

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: breezy
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:29 AM

Very civilised at the Plough in Cuffley.

All punters were eaters in the fully booked restaurant.

Playing solo got through 190 minutes of song concluding with a rousing rocking rover to close.

Complete contrast to last year' pub gig where I was greeted by 3 punters emptying the contents of their stomachs and a welcoming address from an intoxicant that went along the lines of 'You the f*****g singer?'

All in all very civilised.

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 03:59 AM

We had a god night in the Cellar Bar at the Open University last night -- but it was all musicians, and I was the only singer! A bit hoarse this morning, as the non-musos were a bit noisy. I did hear one or two tunes I wouldn't play in Birmingham (England); I was tempted to sing Kevin Barry, but fortunately I couldn't remember the words.

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: mg
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 10:18 PM

I would either decline the engagement or learn three or four songs to make your clients happy. I would not encourage a medley. This is a very important day..too important for a medley of anything. mg

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 05:02 PM

Sorry to repost a song in DT.
I just found this but under a different title:
   "Pat Malone Forgot That he Was Dead"
   There is a midi as well but slower than my version.
                  Sandy

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 04:54 PM

Happy St. Paddy's day to all. I have sung this song a few times in the past week.
          Sandy

THE IRISH WAKE

Times was hard in Irish town, everything was going down
An' Pat Malone was pushed for ready cash
He'd for life insurance spent, all his money, to a cent
And so, all of Pat's affairs had gone to smash

Then, his wife spoke up an' said, now dear Pat, if you was dead
This fifty thousand dollars we could take
And so, Pat laid down and tried, to make out that he had died
Until he smelt the whiskey from the wake

Then Pat Malone forgot that he was dead
He raised himself an' shouted from the bed
If this work goes on a minute, the corpse, he will be in it
And you'll have to get me drunk to keep me dead

Oh, they give the corpse a sup, and then from that they filled him up
And laid him out again upon the bed
But before the morning grew, everybody felt so blue
They forgot that he was only playing dead

Oh, they raised him from the bunk, still alive but awful drunk
And laid him in the coffin with a prayer
But the driver of the cart, said by gosh, he'd never start
Until he saw that someone paid the fare

Then Pat Malone forgot that he was dead
He sat up in the coffin while he said,
If you dare to doubt my credit, you'll be sorry that you said it
Drive on or else the corpse will break your head

Oh, then they started out, on the cemetery route
The neighbors tried the widow to console
Till they stopped beneath the base, of Malone's last resting place
And gently lowered Patrick in the hole

Then Malone began to see, just as plain as one, two, three
That he'd forgot to reckon on the end
So, as the clods begin to drop, he broke off the coffin top
And to the earth, he quickly did ascend

He came nearly going under, t'was a lucky thing by-thunder
That Pat Malone forgot that he was dead

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 05:29 AM

I'd be very wary about doing tunes like The Old Orange Flute and/or The Wearing of the Green when there are real Irish people about (or some non-Irish British). I dare say many would forgive your ignorance for playing the "wrong" tune, but some would take grave offence. At least, that's how it was in my younger days. You wouldn't sing Eskimo Nell in front of your girlfriend's mother, would you?

Steve

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Kaleea
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 12:37 AM

Irish-American songs are most often what people in the USA expect. Depends on the age group. If the folks are old, they know the "gay 90's" stuff like The Band Played On, K-K-K-Katy, Rosie O'Grady & the like. Varied age group, Irish Eyes Are Smilin, etc. If you want to do something for folks to chuckle about, try Paddy McGinty's Goat or MacNamara's Band--often done with a chorus of If You're Irish Come Into The Parlour before the last verse. Cheers!

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 05:10 PM

Another one I've been working on for months, but when I went to play it this Afternoon, drew a blank (Duh!...)..
A little sentimental, but pretty and usually popular -

"Me Ain Dear Galway Bay"

Nothing you'd want to dance to, but it rolls right along and the lyrics evoke a lot of nice imagery. I do it in "D", but then I'm a Baritone.
Normal people might want to kick it up to "F" or even "G".

When I got to the Residence a half hour early to set up and tune, etc., about 17 "Grammies & Granpas" were all seated in the Recreation room waiting for us.
The first thing they wanted to know was "Did you bring the dogs???"

Of course "Maggie" and "Baer" our two little sibling Yorkie-Poos (AKA "The Hooligans") were out in the van while I lugged in my stuff, and soon joined the party, much to the Resident's delight.

We did a lot of faking and winging it, and threw in a few Sea Chantys and gospel favorites etc. when I ran dry of Irish tunes that I could remember the chords & lyrics to... Switched off to the whistle & flute when the left hand went numb from chording the guitar.

They all sang along to "Danny Boy", BTW; they usually do.

The Hooigans ran around begging shamrock cookies off of the folks and getting loved on by their host of adoring adopted "Grandpeople", little bob-tails wagging freneticly the whole time. (They are about 12 pounds each).

All in all it went really well, and for the $50 that they pay for these gigs (about monthly) it's about the most lucrative "career" in music this ol' Uncle is apt to have any time soon, we reckons.
But throw in the smiles and the hugs, and the check ain't the half of it.

Shucks; I even got a standing ovation as I toted the ol' Yamaha out - not bad when half of your audience is in wheelchairs, eh?!

I hope that you have as much fun at your gig, Claire!

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 04:59 PM

Happy Irish song...an oxymoron, perhaps?

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 04:28 PM

Happy Irish songs tend to depress me, but I suppose there are lots of people who see it differently.

Scroll down on this, and there's as good a list as any that could make a medley. (Though they aren't all jolly either - I'm not the only one with that kind of preference!)

I know I've heard a song somewhere that was more what you're after, with the choruses knitted together by linking verses. But I can't put my finger on it.

I suppose it'd be worth putting a bit of effort into putting together something like that. But it's a bit late to try this for tomorrow.   

(Still I think there's a lot to be said for Chesterton's
words:

For the great Gaels of Ireland
Are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry,
And all their songs are sad.)

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Amos
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 02:35 PM

You can always throw a few pieces like The Auld Orange Flute or the Jackets Greene...in when the gang has lubricated up a bit. Rocks o'Bawn, The Maid of the Sweet Brown Naow (sp??), and a few of those harmless sentimental American-Irish pieces like "Mountains of Mourne" and "Tralee", I suppose -- depending on the degree and kind of crowd you're singing to.

A

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: InOBU
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 02:02 PM

Hi Claire... if you are at a loss for what to play... bail and come to the half king restaurant where....SORCHA DORCHA will be at the HALF KING restaurant and pub, this Wends. Saint Patrick's Day on 23rd street between 10th and 11th Ave. from 7 pm to 10 ... As expected Lorcan Otway on vocals uilleann pipes flute whistle bodhran and the great Jane Kelton on flute whistle and key board, Seanin An Fear on Mandolin, Joe Charupakorn on guitar... the joint is already rumbling, so stay from Give us a drink of water to An Phis Fluich, all yer ol' favs...
Cheers, Is mise, le meas, Lorcan Otway

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 09:40 AM

I've got a gig at the Old Folks Home this afternoon, and I'm planning on
"Whisky In The Jar" (a perennial party song, about worn out in Celtic Trad circles but a big hit among those not burned out on it - especially after a couple of brews!)

Another rousing tune would be "Risin' of the Moon" or "Wearin' O' The Green" (they share the same tune, essentially)

"Finnegan's Wake" , a lighthearted ditty with a catchy tempo, rousing verse, and funny lyrics.

"Star of the County Down" - pretty, bouncy, romantic.

More sentimental; (good for the "senior" crowd); "Danny Boy", "Wild Irish Rose", "Mother Malone"...

If you're into vocals and can hit a full 3 octaves, (or at least 2 3/4, as I recal) try "Kathleen Mavourneen" just for fun!
I like to attempt it in the shower or driving (alone) as a vocal exsersize to push my range. Octave jumps, lots of "accidentals", slurs, and all that fun old stuff!

To close, I do "Parting Glass" and/or "Amazing Grace" on my low "G" open wooden flute.

Irish music is phenominally rich in history, tradition, and spirit - it's a lot of fun all around, really - and once you get into it you might not find it so easy to leave it alone!

Happy St.Pat's, all!

Subject: RE: Happy Irish song medley anyone?
From: Snuffy
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 09:01 AM

Just stick to The Wild Rover

Subject: Help - Happy Irish song medley needed
From: GUEST,Claire
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:51 PM

I am running into my usual St. Pats quandry of needing to sing one of those "We'er happy we'er Irish and it's St. Patty's Day" songs. You know, Irish Eyes, Wild Irish Rose, tula rula rula. I just don't know any because my band has a more traditional repertoire. Frankly, I don't really want to learn and incorporate any of these songs into our regular repertoire, but It would be great fun to have a clever song to satisfy that niche.

So we were thinking it would be great to have a song which includes choruses from some of the favorites, so that people can sing along. Then we can play one song and satisfy the masses. It would be good ig it didn't make fun of the genre too much. I already know "You're not Irish" and that about covers that side of things.

Any help is much appreciated.

Claire