Your favourite laments and slow airs

Subject: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Marion
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 09:53 AM

I really like Neil Gow's Lament for the Death of His Second Wife, MacPherson's Lament, Southwind, Planxty Irwin, and Rosebud of Allendale (or was it Allenvale?).

While we're at it, can anyone define/differentiate laments and slow airs? Or explain the word pastoral?

Marion

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:01 AM

Margaret Ann Robertson (even though the guitar chords are a f***er).

Peter.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Bagpuss
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:13 AM

A guy that led a choir I was in described "pastoral" as "to do with sheep and stuff". Henceforth these types of pieces were sung "sheepily" by us!

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:18 AM

Pastoral means, I believe, relating to pasture, greenery, The Great Outdoors, the country. Prettier than rural, but similar.

A lament is a subspecies of slow airs, being slow airs specifically about tragedies, lamenting usually someone's death. However, anything sung slowly is a slow air, I would think - The Clancy Brothers (I think with Robbie O'Connell, but it might have been with Tommy Makem) do a very slow version of The Moonshiner, which does not turn the song into a lament, I don't think. Just makes it a lot less fun to listen to.

My favorite slow air might be The Parting Glass. My favorite lament might be The Baggage Coach Ahead.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: jeffp
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 11:19 AM

My favorite lament is Limerick's Lamentation. Especially when played by James Kelly.

As far as slow airs go, there are too many to choose from. I just can't pick a favorite.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: GUEST,Mary in Kentucky
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 11:30 AM

Pastoral - Beethoven's 6th Symphony (my favorite) and Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze are both in the key of F. Carl Haas mentioned that that key was used for several "pastoral" pieces and had a "pastoral" flavor to it.

Slow Airs - Musicman's CD Farewell has beautiful Celtic waltzes and slow airs. I'd love to hear of other ones, especially the Scottish ones.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: mrs_zezam
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 11:46 AM

"Ye Banks and Braes"

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 11:52 AM

Roslin Castle, Air for the Island (on musicman's CD), Down By the Salley Gardens, Logan Water.........

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 01:08 PM

O'Rahilly's Grave

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Musicman
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:35 PM

I found some wonderful tunes while making the cd (information can be found here)...
I am often asked about my favorites on the album..... that's a tough one..... because each is so different. I like individual things about them... melody in Air for the Island, the fiddle in ye Banks and Braes and the harp accompaniment to Ar Eirinn....
and.... there were so many we didn't include......

always changing too.. depending on the mood...... although I do like Bill Staines "Sourdough" melody... wonderful thoughtfull melody....

musicman

(hope all these links worked)

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: marshman
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:53 PM

every time I hear Laurie Lewis sing her "Maple's Lament" it brings tears to my eyes. She accompany's the song with a "Hardanger?" fiddle. The song deals with the sadness of a maple tree that has been "bound up in wire strings" and turned into a fiddle. A beautiful song and definately my favorite lament. marshman

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Marion
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:07 PM

Interesting. I'm mostly a fiddler so I was thinking of instrumental laments and slow airs, not of songs. I wonder if there are musical (i.e., non-lyrical) attributes that can characterize laments. Minor keys, I guess, but I wonder if there are other specific tricks that evoke a sad mood.

And again, with that word pastoral - are there musical attributes that make an instrumental piece a pastoral, or just singing about sheep? Or maybe if the composer chooses a title related to the countryside or wants it known that he was inspired to write it by a trip to the moors, he calls it a pastoral. The "pastoral" instrumental piece in Handel's Messiah is followed by the air beginning "He shall lead his sheep like a shepherd," so maybe that's why.

Is "Sheep May Safely Graze" a song or an instrumental?

Marion

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:15 PM

Mary Bergin plays a beauty of a slow air on her Feadoga Stain disc. Liam O Raghallaigh. F Whistle. Sweet.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Alice
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:21 PM

The Arran Boat, also known as Queen Mary's Escape From Lochleven Castle, (Push off... push off...) It is at the Levy sheet music site. I wrote my own lyrics to it before I discovered the Queen Mary lyrics.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:02 AM

Lament for Limerick. Bruach Na Carraige Bainne(When played as an air), Caitlín Óg, Inisheer


To name a few,


Rich

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:11 AM

My favorite seems to change periodically. Right now it would be "Dusty Window" sometimes called the "Untitled Air".

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:14 AM

Marion - I found the following definition of pastoral here. http://members.tripod.com/~dorakmt/music/glossary.html

Pastoral: Pieces in imitation of the music of shepherds. The characteristics are fast triple (3/8) or compound (6/8, 12/8) metre, Siciliana rhythm, moderate time (often siciliano and larghetto), tender, flowing, lilting melodies mainly in conjunct motion, notes flowing along in groups of threes, prominent use of parallel thirds, repetition, long-held drone bass on dominant or tonic. Oboes and F major are the most pastoral instrument and key, respectively.

And then Beethoven's 6th Symphony (did I mention that it's my favorite?) is discussed here. http://members.tripod.com/~dorakmt/music/beeth.html

The musical features of the Symphony No.6 that give it a pastoral character can be listed as follows: the key of F major and the extensive use of woodwind, especially oboe which has originated from the shawm (a shepherd's instrument); the use of fast triple (3/4), compound duple (6/8) and compound quadruple (12/8) time in the third, last and second movements, respectively (but not Siciliana rhythm); widespread use of pedal basses, simple diatonic harmonies (mainly tonic-dominant) avoiding minor key modulations and chromatic chords; upper parts moving in thirds; bird-song imitations; second movement in subdominant; significant repetition; playing down the dramatic features of sonata form in the first two movements (like the lack of dominant preparation before recapitulation in the first movement) and lack of sudden dynamic changes.

Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" in an instrumental. I couldn't find the original score, so I'm not sure if it's in the key of F. I heard it one year at a funeral at Christmastime in a medley with "O Come All Ye Faithful."

I think Handel's "He Shall Feed His Flock" starts out in the key of F. (couldn't find my music to that tonight) If not, the pastoral interlude that preceeds it is probably in the key of F.

All this to say, I'm always surprised at how composers use various keys for various moods. Conductors also. Leonard Bernstein was not above tuning the orchestra slightly sharp to get a fresh, bright sound.

Mary

Subject: Pastoral
From: Haruo
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 01:37 AM

"Pastoral" has, as Mary in Kentucky just hinted, to do rather with shepherds than with sheep as such. If it were about sheep it would be called ovine music. The word pastoral is, rather obviously, an elaboration of the word pastor, as in parson; meaning, of course, precisely that: "shepherd". And the Bonus Pastor, or Good Shepherd, in much musical literature is Jesus, seen as prefigured in the Shepherd of Psalm 23[22].

Liland

Subject: Lyr Add: SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE (trans. from Bach)
From: alison
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 01:53 AM

"Sheep May safely graze" does have words.... "Shafe konnen sicher weiden" from the Secular Cantata, No 208 by J.S.Bach... translated by Ronald Duncan in the Penguin book of accompanied songs....

Sheep may always graze in safety
when a shepherd guards them well
Sheep may always graze in safety
Sheep may always graze in safety
when a shepherd guards them well
when a shepherd guards them well

Led by wise and careful rulers
Men may live in peace and plenty
And enjoy their time on earth
Led by wise and careful rulers
Men may live in peace and plenty
Men may live in peace and plenty
And enjoy their time on earth

repeat first verse

My favourite air is "An buachaillin ban", "The Dear Irish Boy"

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 09:42 PM

I don't know how I forgot it in my post yesterday but "Táimse Seo Choladh"


Rich

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:31 AM

I'm partial to Scottish airs, and love the Niel Gow lament Marion mentioned in the title thread. My other favorites are some of the Gaelic airs, such as Tonight My Sleep Will Be Restless (A nochd gur faoin mo chadal dhomh), The Aran Boat, ah, too many to name. I also love the Shetland lament Da Slockit Light, composed by Tom Anderson. Check out Tonight My Sleep, etc. on Alasdair Fraser's 2nd solo recording, Skyedance.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Barry T
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:18 AM

...and to add another to Chanteyranger's list of Scottish airs, The Maids of Arrochar

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Barry T
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:54 AM

'Almost forgot... The Gentle Maiden, aka A Child of Dreamland.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Sourdough
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 04:40 AM

I'd add Lady Mary (in DT) to this list.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 08:01 AM

Favorite slow air right now, Miss Rowan Davies, by Phil Cunningham. (Also love Down by the Sally Gardens.)

Carol

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Alice
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 11:54 AM

I like Miss Rowan Davies Favorite, too, Carol.... was about to add that one, thanks for putting it in.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Max Tone
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 06:59 PM

"Scott Skinner's lament for Dr. MacDonald" - unsurpassed - unfortunately usually played faster these days, but sounds great slowly. Some great recent fiddle airs from Scotland (mostly in the Nineties Collection songbook{Canongate}/CDs{Greentrax})--- Craig an Righ (Ian Hardie), Marnie Swanson of the Grey Coast (Andy Thorburn), Mr. and Mrs MacLean of Snaigow (Dougie MacLean). Also Leaving Stoer (Ivan Drever - on Duncan Chisholm's Redpoint CD), Sgt. Early's Dream and innumerable Neil Gow tunes.
GOW's "Repository of the Dance Music of Scotland" (3 volumes) has recently been republished, by Llanerch - also try to find Pete Clerk's CD of Gow tunes, performed on Neil's fiddle, taken from it's glass case in Blair Castle; I'm still trying to find a copy myself. Each time I see Pete, either I've no money, or he's got no CDs. Try www.dunkeld.co.uk/main for a possible source at Dougie's record shop.
Rob

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 07:34 PM

Ditto Da Slockit Light, into the Plum Tree (Robin Dunn).

Music of Spey (James Scott Skinner)

My Home

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 11:47 PM

Another great Scottish air: Coilsfield House.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: GUEST,Christine
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 11:50 PM

Lament for the Death of Archie Beaton, a modern instrumental for fiddle.

Here's two CD's from Green Linnet: Eugene O'Donnell (called the Master of the Slow Air) fiddling, in "The Foggy Dew", and again in "Slow Airs and Set Dances". Both were recorded in the seventies. It's the finest Scottish slow music I've ever heard.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Fergie
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 12:12 AM

Amhrán na Leabhair, is sé an cheann is fearr'

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 12:37 AM

Man, you said it, Fergie! I don't know what you said, but I'm with you all the way!

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 12:41 AM

Isn't Eugene just bloody amazing? Several years ago during his farewell US tour, he played in Scottsbluff, NE (the wilds of the hinterlands) with Moloney and Eagan. During the break I met him outside while we were having a smoke. I asked if he would play "Celtic Lament" for my mum as she had never heard it. He said "You KNOW Celtic Lament?" I said, "Welllllll, um, I can't play it, but I know it". He was just blown away that way out here in NoPlace Land, I had heard his CD. Wonderful man, wonderful fiddler.

Add 2 to the list: Celtic Lament and Da Auld Resting Chair as played by Eugene. Da Slockit Light is wonderful, too.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 07:11 AM

From Ire;and - Sliobh Gallien Braes and For Ireland I'd Not Tell Her Name. From Scotland and Hebrides, there are so many, many but the one that sticks out is Dark Isle, which Barry Talor pointed out some time ago is quite recently written (still copyright). Regards, John

I'd never thought of 'Will Ye No Come Back Again' as a lament prior to last weekend when I'm told a number of people in the large audience were in tears (I didn't think we were that bad).

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Charlie!!! (inactive)
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 09:58 AM

This has to be "The Whale Song" written by a friend of mine namd Andy Barnes and sung (& included in their song book) by The Dubliners. I have heard this hundreds of times and it never fails to make me (and most of those around me) cry. Lots.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: GUEST,Mary in Kentucky
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 10:06 AM

I love Lord Lovat's Lament played on the bagpipe. It's the pibroch (Sp?) used in Brigadoon (put in 4/4 time.)

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: pastorpest
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 10:37 AM

The "Wild Geese" has not been named here: great aire. I think "Lagan Love" has. The "Aire from County Derry" is a great one although it usually needs to be separated from the gazillion shlocky lyrics forced upon it.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 12:49 PM

Logan Water

Rich

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Barry T
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 01:02 PM

There are some really nice midi arrangements of slow airs... including some mentioned in this thread... on Allan Ferguson's website. Worthy of a bookmark!

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Lena
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 10:23 PM

Definitely Border Widow's Lament.It's also one of the few songs that makes me think about love(I always imagine the widow to be an old woman who's been with her man for say thirty years).Besides,the historical bit on it says that the Border was caught and killed why enjoying his dinner at home,which sounds like a nightmare to me

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Haruo
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 01:14 PM

I think the tune I christened West Jefferson, used in Primitive Baptist circles for John Newton's hymn text I Would, But Cannot, Sing would qualify as a slow air. I like it. Anybody know any secular words for it?

Liland

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Haruo
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 01:16 PM

Oops, let's try that url again:

how's that?

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: kendall
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 02:10 PM

Tom Russells A BAD HALF HOUR.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: zander (inactive)
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 02:34 PM

Two great Irish air's, Donal Og and Bean an Fhir Ruah

Dave.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 04:42 PM

Ohmagawd, I have never heard Tom Russell do A Bad Half Hour - but I swear EVERY TIME I hear that poem I bawl like a sick calf. My cowboy singer hero Don Edwards sings it to "Annie Laurie" and I have GOT to have the Kleenex handy.

I really like Night Rider's Lament but that's probably not what you were after!

O'Carolan's Blind Mary. Bonny at Morn. Banks of the Bann. Da Slockit Licht. ---------------KFC

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: GUEST,Dan Evergreen
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 06:17 PM

My favorite slow air is "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner." My favorite fast air is "They Call the Wind Maria"

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 07:38 AM

Seabeg Siamore, Fanny Power, Boulavogue

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 08:30 AM

My favourite is Sitting in the stern of a boat by the Rev. William McLeod.

I learned it from an Alistair Fraser CD some years ago. I was with a group of family and friends on the Castle Spit at Lochranza on the Isle of Arran one cold and starry October night as we launched paper boats carrying tealights onto the sea. The tune popped into my head and I started to play it on the fiddle. The notes carried all round Lochranza Bay and it's reminded me of that ever since and remains my favourite.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: VIN
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 09:44 AM

How about Boulavogue? Would that qualify? Tis one of my favourites.

Subject: RE: Your favourite laments and slow airs
From: Amos
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 12:06 PM

"How can I Keep From Singing" always tweaks my heartstrings. Not the hymn -- the lay version done by, for example, what'shername... ... oh, never mind.

A