Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)

Subject: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 12:02 PM

I heard an Irish fisherman sing this song a couple times. It a humorous song about (I think) an old woman who salts everything that dies (or she kills) to preserve it & calls for the salt before hand to do it. Ending up going after her old man & calling for the salt.
I can't find any traces of it anywhere. Any clues??

Thanks to all
Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 12:05 PM

Bit of role-reversal there! It's usually done about a farmer who salts everything, as described - including the mother... I think we've had it here before - I'll see if I can trace it.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 12:07 PM

Yep - it's in the DT alright. In fact, I put it there myself, 12 years ago!

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 01:12 PM

Thanks Martin, that's the one. I looked throught the threads but found no background on the song itself. Is there any history or background that you might be able to add to this. I saw nothing in Sam Henry's, Kennedy's or any thing else that I have.
Thanks again
Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 01:45 PM

I don't recall reading any background on the song anywhere - but will have a look. Kevin Cunniffe of the Chieftains recorded it some years ago and may well be responsible for much of its popularity.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 02:00 PM

In fact, as I think about it, a faint memory is coming back. I lived for many years in Athlone, in the Irish midlands. I first heard the song in the local folk club, in the early '70's - and I'm nearly sure I was told that it had been written by a man from a small village (with a large name!) about 20 miles away, called Castletowngeoghan (No - I won't swear to that spelling!). He was known as "the singing postman" - but his name escapes me.

Normally, you treat such attributions with a grain of the proverbial but this was a very good club , the organisers of which knew that of which they spoke!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 03:07 PM

Thanks again Martin

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: PeadarOfPortsmouth
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 03:11 PM

Barry,

Gonna have this ready for a session soon?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 03:17 PM

Tune is basically the first part of "The Wheels of the World", I reckon.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 03:29 PM

No Peter, I can't remember what the tune used for this was but I remember it was to a song that I did know but "Wheels of the World" wasn't what I thought I was hearing but the song being sung much slower than the tune's usually played I may have missed that.
Thanks again & again Martin.

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the Salt song (Irish)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 06:32 PM

you're welcome. If all else fails, get back to me and I'll try to organise an MP3 version for you,

Regards