Kerry Dances

Subject: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: boglion
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 03:48 PM

I'm looking for instrumental versions of these two songs. I need them for a funeral on Friday. If anyone knows of good recordings I live within easy reach of HMV in Oxford Street London.

Failing instrumental versions who made the best versions with vocals? I learned WMT from a record by Ian Campbell (or was it Alex?) many many years ago.

Thanks in advance,

Terry

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: masato sakurai
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 06:49 PM

This one?

KERRY DANCE, THE. AKA and see "Saint Partrick's Day in the Morning," "Barbary Bell," "The Old Woman Tossed Up." Irish, Long Dance (6/8 time). A Major. Standard. AAB. According to Fuld (1971), "The Kerry Dance" was composed as a song, published in 1879 and usually attributed to James L. Molloy (b. County Offaly, Ireland, 1837-1909). The opening eight bars are virtually identical to "The Cuckoo," written and composed by Miss Margaret Casson and published in London about 1790; Molloy added the music of the middle part and new words. The melody was cited as having commonly been played for country dances in Orange County, New York in the 1930's (Lettie Osborn, New York Folklore Quarterly). Roche Collection, 1983, Vol. 2; No. 293, pg. 38.
(From Ceolas The Fiddler's Companion)

Several editions of "KERRY DANCE" (this one?) are at American Memory, for example:

Kerry Dance. 1880
Molloy, J. L.
Boston, Massachusetts, Oliver Ditson & Co., [188-?]

Also from Ceolas The Fiddler's Companion

The song "Wild Mountain Thyme" is derived from "Braes of Balquidder," as is "Will You Go, Lassie, Go" reworked by Frank McPeake of Belfast. Gow notes the tune "may be play'd very Slow." Gow (Complete Repository), Part 1, 1799; pg. 27. Kerr (Merry Melodies), Vol. 1; Set 16, No. 1, pg. 11. McGlashan (A Collection of Reels), c. 1786; pg. 37. Stewart-Robertson (The Athole Collection), 1884; pg. 212. Folk Lyric FL-116, Betsy Miller (Ewan MacColl's mother). Green Linnett GLCD 1146, The Tannahill Weavers - "Capernaum" (1994. Tannahill's song).
T:Braes of Balquhidder
L:1/8
M:C|
R:Reel
B:The Athole Collection
K:F
c|A/B/c Fc A2 AB|A/B/c Fc AGGB|A/B/c Fc A2 Ac|defd cAA:|
c|defd cAag|fdcA AGGc|defd cAfg|agfd cAAc|defd caga|~fdcA AGGA|
FCA,C FGAc|defd cAA||
|:c|dFcF A2Ac|dFcF AGGc|dFcF A2Ac|defd cAA:|
c|defd cAag|fdcA AGGc|defd cAfg|agfc A2Ac|defd caga|fdcA AGGA|
FCA,C FGAc|defd cAA||
T:The Braes o' Balquhidder
B:G.F. Graham, The Popular Songs and Melodies of Scotland (1900)
C:Words written by Robert Tannahill 1774-1810.
N:it's vaguely like The Duke of Bucclugh's Tune in Playford, 1687
M:2/4
L:1/8
R:Air
Q:1/4=96
K:D
% hexatonic, G missing
F>A|B2 A>D|F2 F>A|B2 A>F|FA|B2 A>D|F2 F>A|B>c d>B |A F>A|B>c d>B|Ae|dF|FA|B>c d>B|Ae|dB AF |F F>A|B2 A>D|F2 F>A|B2 A>F|FA|B2 A>D|F2 F>A|B>c e/d/c/B/|A

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 08:29 PM

I'm not sure if you want a recording to "play" at the funeral or one to listen to and copy. What instruments do you want?

I like to search at cdnow.com to hear what a recording sounds like. For instrumentals I look for the Boston Pops. Or for the two songs you mentioned, I would look for flute, whistle or harp.

I found The Kerry Dance here as a flute and harp instrumental. (not sure if I can link to it)http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000457K6/qid=1060820222/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/103-3252845-8279824?v=glance&s=music

I heard WMT today by the Clancy Brothers, and it had a nice whistle in the background accompaniment.

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: fogie
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 04:45 AM

You want "O the ring of the Kerry dancing" dont you?

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: VIN
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 05:43 AM

I have an LP of Alex Campbell on which he sings a version of 'Will Ye Go Lassie Go' (Wild Mountain Thyme) which is probably my favourite version. I'm sure Ian Campbell must have sung/recorded it at some point aswell. A great song.

I heard 'Kerry Dancing' many years ago on an LP my brother had of (i'm pretty sure) John McCormack (or could have bin Kenneth McKeller, not sure.

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 05:50 AM

There's a version of Kerry Dance sung by John McCormack on HMV's own label 4CD set called The Greatest Irish Collection (at leat they avoided the word Celtic....).

It's track 15 on CD3.

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: clueless don
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 09:20 AM

I am assuming that you want the tune of the song "Oh, the Days of the Kerry Dancing" (fogie, I have never heard it as "Oh the *ring* of the Kerry dancing".) Or possibly it is "Oh, the Days of the Kerry Dances".

Since you need it by tomorrow, I'm afraid I won't be able to help. But I hope clarification of the song desired will enable others to help.

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 10:53 AM

Yes that's the Kerry Dance mentioned. I believe the words are "Oh the days of the Kerry dancing, oh the ring of the pipers tune" which may explain the other confusion.

Subject: RE: Kerry Dances and Wild Mountain Thyme
From: boglion
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 07:31 PM

Thanks everyone,

It was my mother's funeral and we managed to find an instrumental version of Wild Mountain Thyme by Phil Coulter at Virgin in Camden Town. We didn't find The Kerry Dances and settled in the end for Luke Kelly singing Song For Ireland. Luke was her favourite singer and there wasn't a dry eye in the assembly as the coffin was carried in.

Thanks again,

Terry