Most haunting melodies?

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 02:19 AM

In Flanders Fields

R

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Slag
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 12:45 AM

Ahhh, No one has mentioned Kristofferson's SUNDAY MORNING COMMING DOWN, however I did read through rather fast. J. Cash's version was also quite haunting. Even more so is CASEY'S LAST RIDE and especially John Denver's rendition.

I can see that I have really missed a lot of good music. Some of these titles are so intriguing. Apparently anything from Ireland, about Ireland and in a minor key IS haunting. I want to hear it all.

Tom Paxton's THE LAST THING ON MY MIND. J. Cash and THE BALLAD OF IRA HAYES. AMAZING GRACE played on the bagpipes. How about the "Hosti" in Verdi's Requiem Mass. The tenor's part is ensconced with virually the entire work framing that one brief passage which is echoed by the other voices and is then swallowed up in the massive dynamics of the body of the piece. It jst blazes itself into your memory! MOONLIGHT SONATA. Even Lloyd Nolan's COOL WATER has a haunting quality to it. Sarah Vaughn's BROKEN HEARTED MELODY? I THINK ITS GOING TO RAIN TODAY. Great thread!

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Kajikit
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:17 PM

It doesn't look like anyone's mentioned the Eriskay Love Lilt yet... 'fair me o-oh ro van oh
fair me oh, ro van ee
fair me oh, ro van o-ooh
sad am I without thee...'

I'm also haunted by:
Drink to me only with thine eyes
Danny Boy
Greensleeves
The Skye Boat Song

What do they have in common? Lilting, slow-paced melodies that seem to soar through the air when sung well (but are rather painful if done badly.)

On a less romantic note, a lot of Eric Bogle's songs send cold chills down my spine and stay with me because of that...

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: oldhippie
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 04:19 PM

"Kilkelly Ireland", as sung by Phyllis Morrissey

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: shepherdlass
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 02:08 PM

Bonny at Morn
"Bridges" - Milton Nascimento
"Les Roses d'Ispahan" - Faure

Something about the yearning quality in all of them.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,DriveForever
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 01:13 PM

Wow ! Some great songs on this thread !

Ones that have always gotten me;

    Days of Wine and Roses - Tony Bennett
    Blonde In the Bleachers / Urge for Goin - Joni Mitchell
    The Wagoner's Lad - by the Duhks -
    Lady of Shallot - by Loreena McKennit
    Minstrel of the Dawn - Gordon Lightfoot
    Ah, May The Red Rose Live Always - Stephen Foster
    Ned Of the Hill
    Invisible Ink - Aimee Mann
    Lullaby - Arcady's Version

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:02 PM

Waltzing's for Dreamers

Lakes of Pontchatrain

Si Beg Si Moore ( spelling?) - Planxty did a lovely version

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Scoville
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 10:31 AM

Dylan's "Blind Willie McTell"

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 09:25 AM

Dang, SouthernCelt!! Where ya been lurking?   All this time Khandu and I thought we were the only Mississippians on the Mudcat!   Glad to hear from you, and pipe up more often!

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 09:10 AM

How about the main theme in the soundtrack to the most recent version of "Last of the Mohicans"?

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 02:21 PM

Come to think, Sinéad O'Connor is kinda haunting all one her own.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 01:10 PM

Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: kendall
Date: 16 Jul 06 - 09:52 AM

Lara's Theme

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Mr Fox
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 05:55 PM

'Both Sides of the Tweed' - Dick Gaughan

'Rumours of War' - Billy Bragg

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,sissy
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 09:12 AM

Speaking of Sinead O'Connor she did a great haunting version of Danny Boy.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 08:00 AM

Flowers Of The Forest on the bagpipes

Loreena Mckinnets Bonny Portmore

Clannad Theme from Harrys Game

All Through The Night (sung in Welsh)

For Those In Peril on The Sea (naval hymn)

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 07:25 AM

Foggy Dew version by Sinéad O'Connor with The Chieftan's. Goosebump city.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 07:15 AM

Cape Clear,played by Dick Miles on NAUTICAL AND., Rodneys Glory , Sailortown, by C fox smith.Yesterday, Eleanor rigby, Shes leaving home, and I love her[ Paul Macartney]My Old Kentucky Home[S foster].Chief O niells Favourite.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 02:42 AM

O'Carolan's 'Eleanor Plunkett' played by Colum Sands (concertina) and Martin Mcallister (guitar) on Colum's 'All My Winding Journeys' album.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,sissy
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 11:21 PM

"Ghost of a Rose" Blackmore's Night, Fare thee Well--Mary Chapin Carpenter, I'll be loving You Always--Frank Sinatra.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 26 Mar 06 - 03:31 AM

'Dimming of the Day' - Bonnie Raitt's version.
'September Song' - horribly mawkish when I was young, serious food for thought now I ain't.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,James Kelly
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 11:35 PM

Hi all,

The Old Man - Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur
The Lonesome boatman - Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur

All the best
James

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 08:54 PM

For really haunting melodies what about Far Away by Peter Jung, or Roslin castle, both played freely, and very slowly with feeling!

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 10:48 AM

Inisheer by a brilliant composer Thomas Walsh.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:38 AM

Willie McBride has got to be in there,along with The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.And how about Rising Sun?

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 04:20 AM

200 by Motorhead.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Peace
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:59 PM

"The Three Bells" by the Browns.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:56 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Madeleine.

I recently started learning a song by Al Grierson, "'Til the Circle Is Complete", which is one of the finest collection of lyrics in honor of another person Ihave heard in a long time; its thoughts linger long after the song ends.

It was recently entered in a Lyrics Add: thread for anyone to peruse.

A

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Madeleine
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:25 PM

hello from chapel hill, north carolina.

i wish i could join you in person but i'd have to swim since i hate planes.

i may be incorrect in suggesting this song in this forum since, techniquely, it's bluegrass, which i don't care for. but, it's a heartbreaker by laurie lewis sung a cappella with 4 men. the title is "who will watch the old place."

we all know here that our folk music traveled from the british isles, though this may not be one.

regards

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:08 PM

Stan Rogers' "Giant" and Tom Paxton's "Dance In The Shadows" have haunted me for years.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Dilligaf
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 04:50 PM

Peggy Gordon sung by my old man (brings back memories of a perfect summer day in Broadstairs when he sang it with Brixton Bert and Pete Chopin in a pub garden) and Come by the Hills by the Dubliners

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: patriot1314
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 08:45 PM

I have to agree with quite a few, but for me it's Stan Rogers "Tiny Fish For Japan" it always strikes a chord with me

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 07:07 PM

O'Carolin's 'Eleanor Plunkett' as performed by Colum Sands on concertina.

'The march of Anton The Younger'

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 02:48 PM

Starry,starry night, Don Maclean. Will Ye go to Flanders, especially the version by Ossian. Willie O Winsbury,The Picketts Lament, Bonnie Portmore as sung by Loreena MacKennitt.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Franz S.
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 02:26 PM

Most of the above, plus "Strange Fruit" and "Beloved Comrade".

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: mooman
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:08 PM

Here are a few more I like and play (in no particular order):

Inisheer
The Little Heathy Hill (played as a medley with:
The Lark in the Clear Air)
Lord Mayo (the lament version)
The Resting Chair
Margaret's Waltz
Farewell to Govan
Loftus Jones (played slowly)
Lord Inciquin
Gaudete

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:17 AM

The Grey Funnel Line as sung by The Silly Sisters, The Drunken Piper, Natalie MacMaster and Cookie Rankin, Agincourt Carol, Barbara Allan.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 11:16 AM

Susan-Marie puts forth "Neil Gows Lament For His Second Wife".
I agree! A sample can be found here:
         http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003M4M/202-0188466-0021471

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:07 AM

Breathe me by sia
Just breathe (mitsubishi commercial)
True colors (cindy lauper)

and the indisputed haunting song

Somewhere over the rainbow by Isreal Kamakawiwo

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,Joe_F
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 11:58 AM

For me, some of the most haunting melodies are among the simplest, such as "Malbrouck s'en va-t-en guerre / For he's a jolly good fellow / The bear went over the mountain". One might suspect that that was just because I have known them so long; but I feel the same about Bok's "Dillan Bay". Among the more grown-up tunes, I go for sentimentality -- "Hatikvah" & "Greensleeves", say.

--- Joe Fineman    [e-mail]

||: The decadence of the bourgeoisie coincides with that of the human species. :||

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: Jimmy C
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 12:31 AM

Hard to select just one, but I like


Mise Eire - Sean O'Riada
Ashokan Farewell
The Coolin
The Dark Island
Lorena
Boolavogue
Ave Maria
Farewell to Tarwaithe
She Moved Through the Fair
Danny Boy
Maid on the Mountain

my favourite being " The Coolin"

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,Zandor
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 01:22 PM

The "Lake Isle of Innisfree" by Kiltartan Road

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: ranger1
Date: 01 Sep 05 - 08:59 PM

Chickahominy River - Jed Marum
Nor'land Wind - Battlefield Band

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 01 Sep 05 - 08:52 PM

Oops!

Don't quite know why Donal's "o" has been mangled?

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 01 Sep 05 - 08:50 PM

"Lament for Ian Dickson" Anthony Robb: arranged by Carole Robb
"Mist Covered Mountains" Junior Crehan
"Wild Hills O'Wannies" Traditional
"Bonny at Morn" Traditional
"Blackwaterside" Traditional
"Miner's Wife's Lament" Ewan MacColl
"The Wild Rover" collected by Dónal Maguire from Pat Ushant

plus most of those already mentioned .......

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 03:56 PM

"Santa Lucia" and "Funiculi, Funicula" ( Yeah, I know. ) "Funiculi" may not be "haunting," strictly speaking, but it's got to be one of the catchiest.

Also beautiful is the Irish "The Wild Geese." Can't remember which Tradition LP I heard it on or who which fiddlers were playing it.

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: PoohBear
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 03:51 PM

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (LOL - don't deny it, it will get stuck in your head and haunt you. . . )

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: PoohBear
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 03:50 PM

Rainbow Connection (Kermit)
Parting Glass
Star of the County Down
Calypso (yes, I know it's John Denver!)
Nautical Wheeler (Jimmy Buffett)
Waltzing with Bears (I'd forgotten about that one!)
Fragile Magic (also Jimmy Buffett)
and I'm sure many more my brain can't find right now. . .
PB

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 03:16 PM

Soul of a Wanderer

Subject: RE: Most haunting melodies?
From: darkriver
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 02:02 AM

well, I've always found "O little town of Bethelhem" to be haunting.
Not to mention "O Tannenbaum". Very wistful tunes, those.

A couple of people mentioned "A Soldier's Story," Ennio Morricone's tune for The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly. There was another haunting tune in that movie. You first hear it when Clint and Eli Wallach are made prisoners of war by the northern army, as they march into the camp--played as (of course) a march. Immediately afterward, when the dying fort commander struggles to the window, you hear the same melody again, but played as a dirge.

Doug