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13 messages

Crossing the Foam

11 May 06 - 11:30 AM (#1738043)
Subject: Crossing the Foam
From: Beer

Just finished learning a song called " Dublin in My Tears". Great song and a line in it states the following. "We'll drink one toast before I cross the foam".
Now I was wondering. Does this line mean before I cross the ocean? Or is there an Irish tradition that before one starts to drink that they actually make a cross on the head of the beer? I kink of like this last idea and it would seem to fit with the sentimental Irish.
Beer


11 May 06 - 12:16 PM (#1738097)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: Beer

I "Kind" of like that idea. Sorry about that.


11 May 06 - 12:23 PM (#1738107)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: DMcG

My daughter tells me that when she served Guiness in a pub they were instructed to 'decorate' the foam with a shamrock. I doubt if that has any relevance at all...


11 May 06 - 02:16 PM (#1738206)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: GUEST

Crossing the foam is a term comonly used in irish emigration songs and refers to crossing the sea.
Nice idea though
J C


12 May 06 - 02:11 PM (#1739197)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: Beer

Refreshing as I would really like to get more feedback.


12 May 06 - 02:26 PM (#1739216)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: GUEST,AR

The phenomenon of something being named for a part of the whole is known as 'synecdoche'. The ballad 'Gil Brenton' (Child #5, version A) begins like this:

"Gil Brenton has sent oer the fame,
He's woo'd a wife an brought her hame"

...where, when anglicised, 'fame' is 'foam' (and, of course, 'hame' is 'home'). This is the earliest synecdochic use of 'foam' of which I am aware.

AR


02 Sep 09 - 07:31 AM (#2714445)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: GUEST,Brendan Phelan

Crossing the foam means crossing the ocean/sea.


02 Sep 09 - 07:40 AM (#2714448)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: Fergie

HI Brendan good too see you here at mudcat. hang around there is great information to be had here. Any chance of you puttin the BALLS song here. Will we see you at the Frank Harte Festival?

Fergus Russell

P.S. to Mudcatters Brendan Phelan is the composer of Dublin In My Tears as well as some other jems.


02 Sep 09 - 08:18 AM (#2714466)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: Beer

Thanks Fergie for that information. And guest Brendan, thank you for a great great song.
Adrien (from Quebec)


09 Dec 09 - 06:15 AM (#2784498)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: GUEST

Thanks, Fergie.
Will post the words of 'The Men Whom God Gave Balls' soon (as soon as I can find them. Nothing changes). Slan, Brendan.


09 Dec 09 - 07:39 AM (#2784517)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: A Wandering Minstrel

A euphemism for the sea, As in Sir Patrick Spens...To Norroway cross the foam, The queens daughter of Norroway, tis thou must bring her home.

Nothing to do with beer, sorry Beer


09 Dec 09 - 08:06 AM (#2784527)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: Charley Noble

I'll drink to that!

Charley Noble


09 Dec 09 - 08:02 PM (#2785020)
Subject: RE: Crossing the Foam
From: Sandy Mc Lean

The expression was used in this song from the late 1800's.

Give My Love To Nell