Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile

Subject: Aon Focal Eile
From: Clifton53
Date: 07 Nov 00 - 10:33 PM

A friend of mine played me this song today off a CD by Richie Kavanagh. It's easy enough to understand the lyrics even with the heavy brogues of the vocalists, but can someone explain the title to me?

It's about schoolboy memories, highly comical in it's presentation, and was a hit in Ireland, or so I understand.

Also any info on Richie Kavanagh as well. A very funny man.

Thanks and best wishes

Clifton53

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 03:00 AM

"Aon focal eile" literally means "one more word" or "another word". "cúpla focal" means "a few words" and is a standard cliché for language tokenism in Ireland.

All this sounds very dry but in fact - the key to the song is that the word is pronounced "fuck-al" or, as near as dammit "fuck-all"!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: Quincy
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 05:47 AM

Clifton,
I have several tapes and a couple of videos if you want to PM me.

I believe he's from around the foothills of Mount Leinster and when he does the two voices in his song of Johnny and himself, he's so funny.

His latest release is a song called "Lotto Balls".

best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: Clifton53
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 08:44 AM

Thank you Martin, I thought there may be a double entendre at work here but wasn't sure since I can't clearly make out the entire chorus and what he's singing as he leads into the 'focal eile' run. Also, if you could explain a bit about "language tokenism", because I would love to try this song with my buddies as it is a bit of a hell-raiser. All the best.

Yvonne, I thought he might be doing both parts but the voices are so different I wasn't quite sure since it was my first exposure to Richie Kavanagh, and listening to the rest of the CD, the man is a 'riot' as we say here in America. What a talent! The plays on words and the double vocals are pretty unique. Thank you for the information.

I am only starting to get into this man's songs and I haven't heard a bad one yet.

Thank you both again

Clifton53

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 09:01 AM

Clifton53

Constitutionally, Irish is the "first official language" of the Irish state. English is the "second official language" - I suspect the ambiguity was quite deliberate.

In practice, Irish people's attitudes to the language vary from complete indifference to uncritical fanaticism. Somewhere in between is the typical politician who, when asked to make a speech, invariably includes the "cúpla focal" i.e. a few token phrases in Irish to stay on the right side of those who are enthusiastic about the revival of the language. That's what I mean by language tokenism. There are, of course, a few politicians who genuinely love and use the language - but they're as scarce as hen's teeth.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: Clifton53
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 03:17 PM

Kind of what we call 'lip service' over here. Thanks again Martin.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 04:55 AM

The lyrics are in the Know focal thread.
Someone made an Irish language version of this song. I've heard it on Raidio na Gaeltachta. Anyone have the lryics, info (artist, etc)?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Aon Focal Eile
From: Clifton53
Date: 11 Nov 00 - 10:31 AM

Thanks Philippa, I should have known they were here already somewhere, but my searches came up empty I think because I put the whole title in the search box. Just now, typed in just 'focal' and the thread was found.

Your a saint!!!! This song is so funny as sung by Mr. Kavanagh and 'Johnny'.

Clifton