Great to be part of this group Christy,
Gipp’s wonderful minding of ‘whatever tickles’, your repeat of the ‘foggy dew’, dave’s ‘no pasaran’, irish words, belgian instruments….its enough to keep a man sane.
Was listening to alan hull sparing a thought for the traveller with no secure position, who’s turned and spurned by village and town……beautifully sad.
Rory
Hi Christy, thank you for your kind offer 😊. Perhaps a Jimmy McCarthy song (The Contender or Missing You) or Natalie Merchant’s Motherland? But if they don’t suit you that evening, no problem. I’ll enjoy the gig anyway 👍.
And thanks for pointing out the Tallaght Civic Theatre. I bought a ticket at short notice for a preview of the Quiet Man which is part of the Dublin theatre festival. I only hope I will understand enough… 😅. A few years ago we watched a play that we deliberately chose as it was a mixture of English and Afrikaans, hoping that we could follow, which worked pretty well due to the good actors.
Enjoy the Frank Harte festival!
Birgit
Christy's reply
Circa 1955 I went to see The Quiet Man with beloved Grandfather, Jack Power….in The Savoy Cinema, O’Connell St in Dublin. He parked the old black Ford Prefect on O’Connell St outside the cinema…..
BornToBeWlld
September 27, 2025 at 9:58 am
Location: currently Tallaght, thanks to the to the NFL match that caused the unaffordable accommodation prices in Dublin this weekend 😬
Hi Christy,
thank you so much for this great gig in Trim. Very good atmosphere in the room with the huge chandeliers. Rare gems thanks to Lucy, my favourite song thanks to Eli – and so many others to enjoy. A big thank you, too, to Hilary who did a great job for so many of us again.
That evening was another example how (your) music connects people. I met Astrid from Germany. After the gig we talked for quite some time about (not only Irish) folk music in Germany. We found out that we could have met already in March at one of the last Oysterband gigs.
@Dave: we’re not the only Oysterheads here 😉.
We came across quite a few of the same bands in our past. From the Sawdoctors, who unfortunately don’t get the audience in Germany they deserved to get, Keywest on Grafton St, Fiddlers Green, a German speed folk group, Runrig from Scotland, Paddy goes to Holyhead, another German folk band, The Men They Couldn’t Hang from England etc. Time flew. So yesterday evening we met again at a pub where friends of mine were playing a gig and had another few entertaining hours. Wouldn’t have happened without your music. So thanks to you, to Hilary and to your whole team, who did a brilliant job 😊.
My next highlight nearly visible, only a few more days til Trim part II. Life could be worse.
Birgit
Christy's reply
Tallaght is a city in itself….check out Civic Arts Centre….
thanks for feed back
here’s last Thursdays set list ( not in sequence, from memory)
Chicago
Quinte
Black & Amber
Delerium Tremens
Johnny Boy
Nancy Spain
Duffy’s Cut
How Long
Palestine
Yellow Triangle
Go Move Shift
No Time for Love
Only Our Rivers
Lemon 7s
Magadalen
Amsterdam
Lisdoon
Beeswing
Sacco & Vanzetti
Lingo Politicao
Voyage
Honda
Joxer
Black
Yellow Furze Woman
I think that covers it
you have travelled a long way…let me know if there are some songs from the repertoire that you wish to hear
Wasn’t there a verse in the version on “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy”
“They took me down to Sydney town
Without no more delay
Where a merchant he did purchase me
His bookkeeper to be
Unlike me occupation
Me master served me well
Me joy was without measure
The truth to you I’ll tell.”
I had it in my head when I first heard the version on “Flying Into Mystery”
Christy's reply
Morra Gipp,
I’ll have to get out my old copy of that album and give it a spin….I’ve no recollection of that verse…to think its 50 years since that album was recorded…Jimmy,Declan and Robbie gone on before us, Kevin,Donal and myself hanging on for dear life….
then to read that Rosanna had a turn of good fortune albeit in bondage to a merchant master..
thanks Gipp…its affirming, joyful, to have such an old album discussed here…it came at a time when I was in the doldrums..having left Planxty in 1974 I was finding it difficult to get work, to make my way….that album was a life saver in a turbulent time
Dear Christy,
There must be something in the air in Eire or is it the year of birth? What an energy do you still have! Eli and I often go to a Dutch singer called Herman Van Veen ( google him if you want he has a beautiful voice and a lovely cover of Suzanne from Leonard Cohen in English)
He also became 80 this year and he also has a lot of energy on stage. He hops and dances around on stage but his songs are quiet ballads.
Nothing like Joxer or Ordinary Man!
So my son sat there in Knightsbrook for almost 2 hours with open mouth, couldn’t believe his ears and certainly not when you shouted his name!
I don’t think you will need a nurse in the near future but if you do thanks to Hilary I’m nearby!
Thank you again for a wonderful evening and hopefully you liked the chocolate bodhram.
See you somewhere and take good care.
Greetings also from Jan who had to work and couldn’t come with us this time.
Chris
Christy's reply
Chris….your chocolate Bodhrán was the very finest Belgian Confection….Thank you for travelling to Trim to hear the songs, for your positive feedback….
…….it was a good gig for me….that room really embraces our production …the acoustics are very good, the shape of the room ideal…. when it fills up with such an array of enthusiastic listeners, I get my energy from the atmosphere created…
Just read your post below Christy about adding verses to songs and got thinking of the opposite! One that came to mind was “Van Diemans Land”! Meant to ask you before but never got ’round to it. One verse missing from the original?
The song has always been a huge favourite of mine and I think I kinda know why you left it out! The little bit of relief of it takes away from what they song is portraying? Or was it the boats didn’t stop at Sydney? Or maybe it should be they “took me down to Hobart Town”! Maybe there wasn’t too many bookkeepers being “Transported” on the ships! Did the bookkeeper and Roseanna end up in a relationship? I always thought they did! Some songs just get inside your head and never leave!
Christy's reply
the version I sing came from Mike Waterson back in 1968..that same night he sang “Lakes of Pontchartrain”
he never mentioned any book keepers from Hobart..make of that what you will…
that Van Dieman’s has some powerful lines
Amongst the many and justified tributes to Robert Redford,there’s a cracker in ‘Time’…written by Michelle Satter who worked with ‘Bob’ for over forty years at The Sundance Institute.
Numerous insights and examples of the man’s modesty and willingness to share and encourage film makers etc al. The article concludes…’let us all remember that storytellers can open our minds,engage,provoke,inspire and can connect us on a deep level’
Probably why fascists react with aggression…no pasaran
Hi C that some one fast and furious gig last night, fair play. I’ ve noticed over the past weeks more and more sustained applause after you sing Palestine, but you took it to another level last night by including the word Genocide. So much Leadership is coming from artist and activists not from politicians. GRMMA, beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
“From The Plains of Royal Meath Strong Volunteers came hurrying Through
While Britannia’s Huns with their long range guns
fired Hell through The Foggy Dew”…..
Sad to report the passing of Danny Thompson…bass player extraordinare and wonderful accompanist as well as virtuoso status.
‘Legend’ doesn’t do justice to Danny…I’m delighted that I saw him with Pentangle,Donovan and Richard Thompson…humorous as well,as I found when I chatted with him when we shared a gig on several occasions.
It’s a lonesome day…
Dave
Christy's reply
thrice I met the Big Man…may he rest in Peace…each time he left an indelible impression… a true master of his instrument…the almighty Bull Fiddle
Hi Christy,
What an amazing night last night in Knightbrook; so enjoyable.
I can’t offer you a priest – but if you ever need a nurse on the side wings – just give me a shout!!
As always our son David was with us; wonderul to see the next generation singing away to all your lyrics.
Until next time.
Linda, Will & David.
Christy's reply
great audience singing in Trim last night Linda….ye rattled the chandeliers, sent the spiders scuttlin..
O The Rush,O The Rush,O The Rush,O The Rush,
O The Rush when The Boat comes in
After many years listening to you, I took a trip with two of my sons to see you in Limerick in June. You put on a great concert and we throughly enjoyed every minute of it. My wife danced with my youngest son at his wedding to Motherland. Thanks for the music!!!
Christy's reply
from Rhode Island to the Banks of The River Shannon…Thanks for travelling Hodge, and for your feedback
Savage gig in Knightsbrook tonight Christy – great to see you back there- glad to be able to remind you that it was Paddy Wynne who had the Leinster final on the weekend ye went to Amsterdam!!!!!
Lucy delighted with Duffy’s Cut- yet another great song- & the set list will have pride of place here now
See you in Vicar Street!!
Thanks, as always
Noel, Sinead & Lucy
Christy's reply
What a noble call from Lucy,
I’d not sung “Duffy’s Cut” for manys the year,
first time I’ve ever gigged it solo
another gem from the pen of my late companero Wally Page
Thanks for the update, lots going on and more to come for us all I hope. Keeping an eye open for spring concert dates and looking forward to another trip across the pond 🙏🤞.
Take care Brendan
Christy's reply
we’ll soldier on until,hopefully, you can join us once more
Hi Christy,
I was in Kilmarnock today. Not a famous Killie Pie in sight.
The land of Burns, the great poet, songwriter and wit.
Tam O’ Shanter is one of the finest of Scottish stories ever written.
Rory
Christy's reply
We pulled into Trim in the County Meath last night,
The Royal County where invaders Lorded it for 800 years
still a few mighty estates linger on with ascendency priviledge
an almighy gaggle gathered beneath the crystal chandeliers
Meath listeners joined by Dubs, Lily Whites, Belgians, Norwegians, Yanks (over for the big ball game in Croker) shout outs from Derry Armagh and beneath The Black Mountain…from The Kingdom of Kerry, the Rebel and Premier, a transit-van full of excited youths from The Marble City,
twas great to be back in The Knightsbrook…missed it for about 6-7 years…China Business honchos took it over for a while and banned gigs but they pulled out and we’re back,.such a welcome back we got from the assembled customers and the staff…strong tea and warm handshakes…
tried again to visit your fasting site but rejected once more….obviously I’m doing summat wrong…I’ll get some help this morning and “go-at-it agin”
Hello Christy,
since I have visited the first time one of your concerts in 1992/01/19 in Cologne (E-Werk) accompanied with Cathrinoa W.-H. and father Frank svd, I am fascinated from your songs.
Now we are awaiting your next concert in the great Northern Hotel in two weeks (second time after September last year). I still rember the great atmosphere at this concert and all this wonderfiull songs (Ride on, Black is the colour, North&South of the river, City of Chicago,…). I am excited to hear your new songs from Terrible Beauty.
All the best,
Marcus
Christy's reply
OK Marcus…roll on Bundoran…..Hopefully I’ll get to sing a bunch of songs from that Album…..its a great gig room…
I remember that night in Cologne…a stand up gig in a Disco…. a good lively listening audience….there was a throne on the stage…. an Irish Lady from across the River sat in the throne for the gig adding a bit of mystery to the affair…I think Abi Wallenstein played support….
I’ll sprinkle some 4711 when we land in Donegal
Hello Christy,
Just a few hours ago I accidentally stumbled upon a recording of your track “Viva la Quinte Brigada”, and it nearly made me cry in the middle of one of my lectures. As a younger man, I am incredibly happy that I have the chance to speak with the absolute legends of folk like yourself. As an American, I’ve long been enamored with the likes of Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul and Mary, and to hear the unbelievable passion with which your make your art is, for fear of sounding trite, inspiring.
It is a great regret of my life that I was ten years too late to sing along with the crowd on the recording of “la Quinte Brigada”, but to know there are those who still remember the names of the heroes who died for the cause of liberty fills me with immense hope. For the rest of my life I will sing their names, thanks to your song. You’ve earned a grateful and deeply impressed fan. No pasarán.
Christy's reply
Adelante Zack…let us all do all we can in these troubled times…
back in 1968 there was a great Folk Club in St Andrews called The Mucky Byre…
had some great gigs there…also heard Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger there…try and hear Ewan MacColl’s song Jamie Foyers
Hello Christy,
Lovely reading your chat yesterday and finding out about the creative things you’re up to. Some things in the world are good. You are in a place where you are nurtured and appreciated. Do you like stationery?
I found a lovely website the other day https://allthingsanalogue.co.uk/
I read your thoughts on Lord Baker.
Yes, Sophia’s name. Scarborough Fair. I’ve been singing it for 40 years. No names in it either. Strange how in some songs we crave to know the people better and the name is so important. It’s not the same with Scarborough Fair.
You mentioned the number of the verse she appears in. 18.
The numbers of the verses. Do you add them? To help communication? Or to help with the architecture of the song? I’m asking because I’m intrigued and wondering about connections with my own practice.
I add codes to the beginning of lines. For Musgrave and Listen. Musgrave got an upward arrow on lines where the tune was high. It got a dash on lines where the tune is lower. The same with Listen only the arrows fit the tune if it rises, falls or stays level at the end of phrases.
Does this make sense? The waffling of someone who works with songs.
I’m so interested in how you work with songs.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Very seldom have I added verses but it has happened….Lord Baker, Well Below Valley, Green Grows The Laurel, (aka The Ships Captain) So Do I, Go Move Shift (Moving On Song) have all had to endure my incursions… I left out one word in Lawless and the song became singable again….changed a few words in The Voyage ( Johnny Duhan did not approve ) I’ve also know songs to adjust themselves over decades of performance…small adjustments occur on the hoof..Shovel, Lingo Politico,Oblivious, Cabaret, Encore forever take on new lines, verses, interpretations, Delerium Tremens has held on to very little of its original verses but still carries the same undertone ( Guinness turns your shite black)..the new lines in Lord Baker, borrowed from Lord Bateman, will be slipped in and one new verse added ( the oak in the prison yard)..
Great to be part of this group Christy,
Gipp’s wonderful minding of ‘whatever tickles’, your repeat of the ‘foggy dew’, dave’s ‘no pasaran’, irish words, belgian instruments….its enough to keep a man sane.
Was listening to alan hull sparing a thought for the traveller with no secure position, who’s turned and spurned by village and town……beautifully sad.
Rory
I agree Rory….I enjoy the chats that ensue….
Hi Christy, thank you for your kind offer 😊. Perhaps a Jimmy McCarthy song (The Contender or Missing You) or Natalie Merchant’s Motherland? But if they don’t suit you that evening, no problem. I’ll enjoy the gig anyway 👍.
And thanks for pointing out the Tallaght Civic Theatre. I bought a ticket at short notice for a preview of the Quiet Man which is part of the Dublin theatre festival. I only hope I will understand enough… 😅. A few years ago we watched a play that we deliberately chose as it was a mixture of English and Afrikaans, hoping that we could follow, which worked pretty well due to the good actors.
Enjoy the Frank Harte festival!
Birgit
Circa 1955 I went to see The Quiet Man with beloved Grandfather, Jack Power….in The Savoy Cinema, O’Connell St in Dublin. He parked the old black Ford Prefect on O’Connell St outside the cinema…..
Hi Christy,
thank you so much for this great gig in Trim. Very good atmosphere in the room with the huge chandeliers. Rare gems thanks to Lucy, my favourite song thanks to Eli – and so many others to enjoy. A big thank you, too, to Hilary who did a great job for so many of us again.
That evening was another example how (your) music connects people. I met Astrid from Germany. After the gig we talked for quite some time about (not only Irish) folk music in Germany. We found out that we could have met already in March at one of the last Oysterband gigs.
@Dave: we’re not the only Oysterheads here 😉.
We came across quite a few of the same bands in our past. From the Sawdoctors, who unfortunately don’t get the audience in Germany they deserved to get, Keywest on Grafton St, Fiddlers Green, a German speed folk group, Runrig from Scotland, Paddy goes to Holyhead, another German folk band, The Men They Couldn’t Hang from England etc. Time flew. So yesterday evening we met again at a pub where friends of mine were playing a gig and had another few entertaining hours. Wouldn’t have happened without your music. So thanks to you, to Hilary and to your whole team, who did a brilliant job 😊.
My next highlight nearly visible, only a few more days til Trim part II. Life could be worse.
Birgit
Tallaght is a city in itself….check out Civic Arts Centre….
thanks for feed back
here’s last Thursdays set list ( not in sequence, from memory)
Chicago
Quinte
Black & Amber
Delerium Tremens
Johnny Boy
Nancy Spain
Duffy’s Cut
How Long
Palestine
Yellow Triangle
Go Move Shift
No Time for Love
Only Our Rivers
Lemon 7s
Magadalen
Amsterdam
Lisdoon
Beeswing
Sacco & Vanzetti
Lingo Politicao
Voyage
Honda
Joxer
Black
Yellow Furze Woman
I think that covers it
you have travelled a long way…let me know if there are some songs from the repertoire that you wish to hear
Wasn’t there a verse in the version on “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy”
“They took me down to Sydney town
Without no more delay
Where a merchant he did purchase me
His bookkeeper to be
Unlike me occupation
Me master served me well
Me joy was without measure
The truth to you I’ll tell.”
I had it in my head when I first heard the version on “Flying Into Mystery”
Morra Gipp,
I’ll have to get out my old copy of that album and give it a spin….I’ve no recollection of that verse…to think its 50 years since that album was recorded…Jimmy,Declan and Robbie gone on before us, Kevin,Donal and myself hanging on for dear life….
then to read that Rosanna had a turn of good fortune albeit in bondage to a merchant master..
thanks Gipp…its affirming, joyful, to have such an old album discussed here…it came at a time when I was in the doldrums..having left Planxty in 1974 I was finding it difficult to get work, to make my way….that album was a life saver in a turbulent time
Dear Christy,
There must be something in the air in Eire or is it the year of birth? What an energy do you still have! Eli and I often go to a Dutch singer called Herman Van Veen ( google him if you want he has a beautiful voice and a lovely cover of Suzanne from Leonard Cohen in English)
He also became 80 this year and he also has a lot of energy on stage. He hops and dances around on stage but his songs are quiet ballads.
Nothing like Joxer or Ordinary Man!
So my son sat there in Knightsbrook for almost 2 hours with open mouth, couldn’t believe his ears and certainly not when you shouted his name!
I don’t think you will need a nurse in the near future but if you do thanks to Hilary I’m nearby!
Thank you again for a wonderful evening and hopefully you liked the chocolate bodhram.
See you somewhere and take good care.
Greetings also from Jan who had to work and couldn’t come with us this time.
Chris
Chris….your chocolate Bodhrán was the very finest Belgian Confection….Thank you for travelling to Trim to hear the songs, for your positive feedback….
…….it was a good gig for me….that room really embraces our production …the acoustics are very good, the shape of the room ideal…. when it fills up with such an array of enthusiastic listeners, I get my energy from the atmosphere created…
agus freagra níos giorra fós
Fair play to The Wallopers on the late late show
we were out at the Ballads last night…The Frank Harte Festival is in full swing this weekend
Just read your post below Christy about adding verses to songs and got thinking of the opposite! One that came to mind was “Van Diemans Land”! Meant to ask you before but never got ’round to it. One verse missing from the original?
The song has always been a huge favourite of mine and I think I kinda know why you left it out! The little bit of relief of it takes away from what they song is portraying? Or was it the boats didn’t stop at Sydney? Or maybe it should be they “took me down to Hobart Town”! Maybe there wasn’t too many bookkeepers being “Transported” on the ships! Did the bookkeeper and Roseanna end up in a relationship? I always thought they did! Some songs just get inside your head and never leave!
the version I sing came from Mike Waterson back in 1968..that same night he sang “Lakes of Pontchartrain”
he never mentioned any book keepers from Hobart..make of that what you will…
that Van Dieman’s has some powerful lines
Hi Christy
Amongst the many and justified tributes to Robert Redford,there’s a cracker in ‘Time’…written by Michelle Satter who worked with ‘Bob’ for over forty years at The Sundance Institute.
Numerous insights and examples of the man’s modesty and willingness to share and encourage film makers etc al. The article concludes…’let us all remember that storytellers can open our minds,engage,provoke,inspire and can connect us on a deep level’
Probably why fascists react with aggression…no pasaran
Dave
may they burn in the hell that they create
Hi C that some one fast and furious gig last night, fair play. I’ ve noticed over the past weeks more and more sustained applause after you sing Palestine, but you took it to another level last night by including the word Genocide. So much Leadership is coming from artist and activists not from politicians. GRMMA, beir bua agus beannacht. H
“From The Plains of Royal Meath Strong Volunteers came hurrying Through
While Britannia’s Huns with their long range guns
fired Hell through The Foggy Dew”…..
( from Peader Kearney methinks)
Hi Christy
Sad to report the passing of Danny Thompson…bass player extraordinare and wonderful accompanist as well as virtuoso status.
‘Legend’ doesn’t do justice to Danny…I’m delighted that I saw him with Pentangle,Donovan and Richard Thompson…humorous as well,as I found when I chatted with him when we shared a gig on several occasions.
It’s a lonesome day…
Dave
thrice I met the Big Man…may he rest in Peace…each time he left an indelible impression… a true master of his instrument…the almighty Bull Fiddle
Ceist beag.
What was the word you left out from Lawless ?
Black
Hi Christy,
What an amazing night last night in Knightbrook; so enjoyable.
I can’t offer you a priest – but if you ever need a nurse on the side wings – just give me a shout!!
As always our son David was with us; wonderul to see the next generation singing away to all your lyrics.
Until next time.
Linda, Will & David.
great audience singing in Trim last night Linda….ye rattled the chandeliers, sent the spiders scuttlin..
O The Rush,O The Rush,O The Rush,O The Rush,
O The Rush when The Boat comes in
( from Mick Hanly’s “Two To One Freddie”)
After many years listening to you, I took a trip with two of my sons to see you in Limerick in June. You put on a great concert and we throughly enjoyed every minute of it. My wife danced with my youngest son at his wedding to Motherland. Thanks for the music!!!
from Rhode Island to the Banks of The River Shannon…Thanks for travelling Hodge, and for your feedback
Savage gig in Knightsbrook tonight Christy – great to see you back there- glad to be able to remind you that it was Paddy Wynne who had the Leinster final on the weekend ye went to Amsterdam!!!!!
Lucy delighted with Duffy’s Cut- yet another great song- & the set list will have pride of place here now
See you in Vicar Street!!
Thanks, as always
Noel, Sinead & Lucy
What a noble call from Lucy,
I’d not sung “Duffy’s Cut” for manys the year,
first time I’ve ever gigged it solo
another gem from the pen of my late companero Wally Page
Thanks for the update, lots going on and more to come for us all I hope. Keeping an eye open for spring concert dates and looking forward to another trip across the pond 🙏🤞.
Take care Brendan
we’ll soldier on until,hopefully, you can join us once more
Hi Christy,
I was in Kilmarnock today. Not a famous Killie Pie in sight.
The land of Burns, the great poet, songwriter and wit.
Tam O’ Shanter is one of the finest of Scottish stories ever written.
Rory
We pulled into Trim in the County Meath last night,
The Royal County where invaders Lorded it for 800 years
still a few mighty estates linger on with ascendency priviledge
an almighy gaggle gathered beneath the crystal chandeliers
Meath listeners joined by Dubs, Lily Whites, Belgians, Norwegians, Yanks (over for the big ball game in Croker) shout outs from Derry Armagh and beneath The Black Mountain…from The Kingdom of Kerry, the Rebel and Premier, a transit-van full of excited youths from The Marble City,
twas great to be back in The Knightsbrook…missed it for about 6-7 years…China Business honchos took it over for a while and banned gigs but they pulled out and we’re back,.such a welcome back we got from the assembled customers and the staff…strong tea and warm handshakes…
tried again to visit your fasting site but rejected once more….obviously I’m doing summat wrong…I’ll get some help this morning and “go-at-it agin”
Hello Christy,
since I have visited the first time one of your concerts in 1992/01/19 in Cologne (E-Werk) accompanied with Cathrinoa W.-H. and father Frank svd, I am fascinated from your songs.
Now we are awaiting your next concert in the great Northern Hotel in two weeks (second time after September last year). I still rember the great atmosphere at this concert and all this wonderfiull songs (Ride on, Black is the colour, North&South of the river, City of Chicago,…). I am excited to hear your new songs from Terrible Beauty.
All the best,
Marcus
OK Marcus…roll on Bundoran…..Hopefully I’ll get to sing a bunch of songs from that Album…..its a great gig room…
I remember that night in Cologne…a stand up gig in a Disco…. a good lively listening audience….there was a throne on the stage…. an Irish Lady from across the River sat in the throne for the gig adding a bit of mystery to the affair…I think Abi Wallenstein played support….
I’ll sprinkle some 4711 when we land in Donegal
Hi Christy
Zack’s post and your reply have boosted my mood …thanks…
Jamie Foyers is a gem of a song.. I often play Dick Gaughan’s mighty version via YouTube heading there now….
Dave
go for it Dagrab
Hello Christy,
Just a few hours ago I accidentally stumbled upon a recording of your track “Viva la Quinte Brigada”, and it nearly made me cry in the middle of one of my lectures. As a younger man, I am incredibly happy that I have the chance to speak with the absolute legends of folk like yourself. As an American, I’ve long been enamored with the likes of Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul and Mary, and to hear the unbelievable passion with which your make your art is, for fear of sounding trite, inspiring.
It is a great regret of my life that I was ten years too late to sing along with the crowd on the recording of “la Quinte Brigada”, but to know there are those who still remember the names of the heroes who died for the cause of liberty fills me with immense hope. For the rest of my life I will sing their names, thanks to your song. You’ve earned a grateful and deeply impressed fan. No pasarán.
Adelante Zack…let us all do all we can in these troubled times…
back in 1968 there was a great Folk Club in St Andrews called The Mucky Byre…
had some great gigs there…also heard Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger there…try and hear Ewan MacColl’s song Jamie Foyers
Hello Christy,
Lovely reading your chat yesterday and finding out about the creative things you’re up to. Some things in the world are good. You are in a place where you are nurtured and appreciated. Do you like stationery?
I found a lovely website the other day
https://allthingsanalogue.co.uk/
I read your thoughts on Lord Baker.
Yes, Sophia’s name. Scarborough Fair. I’ve been singing it for 40 years. No names in it either. Strange how in some songs we crave to know the people better and the name is so important. It’s not the same with Scarborough Fair.
You mentioned the number of the verse she appears in. 18.
The numbers of the verses. Do you add them? To help communication? Or to help with the architecture of the song? I’m asking because I’m intrigued and wondering about connections with my own practice.
I add codes to the beginning of lines. For Musgrave and Listen. Musgrave got an upward arrow on lines where the tune was high. It got a dash on lines where the tune is lower. The same with Listen only the arrows fit the tune if it rises, falls or stays level at the end of phrases.
Does this make sense? The waffling of someone who works with songs.
I’m so interested in how you work with songs.
Rebecca
Very seldom have I added verses but it has happened….Lord Baker, Well Below Valley, Green Grows The Laurel, (aka The Ships Captain) So Do I, Go Move Shift (Moving On Song) have all had to endure my incursions… I left out one word in Lawless and the song became singable again….changed a few words in The Voyage ( Johnny Duhan did not approve ) I’ve also know songs to adjust themselves over decades of performance…small adjustments occur on the hoof..Shovel, Lingo Politico,Oblivious, Cabaret, Encore forever take on new lines, verses, interpretations, Delerium Tremens has held on to very little of its original verses but still carries the same undertone ( Guinness turns your shite black)..the new lines in Lord Baker, borrowed from Lord Bateman, will be slipped in and one new verse added ( the oak in the prison yard)..