Last night I went to bed, heartened by Rory’s news about Frederick Douglass / the enlightened Hawick authorities /Rebecca’s excellent pick – and pondering songs… sometime in the small hours, the elusive song landed. It might not be the one Rory seeks/ is ultimately used, but…
‘No More Auction Block’ – first hit me via Dylan, decades back – more recently, via youtube (Odetta is beyond powerful…) and reading online info about the song’s poignant history.
Good luck to all wordsmiths amongst us, but I’ll throw this in as a start… also, I can ‘hear’ a solo voice with a subtle chorus for the ‘call and response’ effect. Good luck Rory, Hawick and all who answer the call…
Hi All, I feel honoured to join such a fine group of musicians. Just a little about me; I am a Northof59er living on the west coast of Canada. I learned to play flute and clarinet in elementary school in the early 60’s and guitar by the time the 70’s arrived. I have written songs over the years and hope to learn from everyone here to up my game and interact constructively. Warm Regards, Grant Gibson
Dear Christy,
One year on…i can’t breathe, and out of that gloom comes light.
Today my application for funding for Hawick’s own Frederick Douglass commemoration came good. I had an idea, a plaque where he spoke 175 years ago this November to be erected in Hawick.
Took it to Borders Against Racism and was welcomed with open arms.
Our wee group has grown the idea to a plaque, a mural, a series of FD talks and an education pack for all of the town’s students 5-18 years on FD and suffrage, emancipation and equality.
I got the funding, yahoo, from our local councillors this very afternoon.
I thought that, exactly a year from GF’s murder, it was amazing.
I feel like singing but realised i have no FD song to that great hero….so here is the challenge to Christy yerself, to Wally, to Matt McGinn and John Spillane, to all 4711ers, is there a song out there deep within you ready to be written and unleashed for the great Frederick Douglass?
Thanks
Rory
Well now Christy and Phil, what’s in a name? Delighted I am to be confused with come one famous….
The Dún Dealgan verse is a topper Phil, thanks a lot.
And thanks Christy for letting Phil and myself connect via your guestbook! A great place to be, to süß out the meaning of life, sure it is music, what else!
Hiya,
Ok this is getting embarrassing I feel like I’m taking over this page 😳. Someone told me once that us Cork people never take over we just infest 😬. Anyhow Pat D’Arcy …. in honour of your hometown Dundalk … let’s finish the song (An Lu) with a final verse … and apologies up front, can’t find a fada on this device.
I hear Dun Dealgan, she’s calling out my name
Where the Creggan’s now the Castletown, her majesty remains
As she flows out of her city and waving her goodbye
I must open up my eyes and wish I was nearby.
Best wishes Pat and thanks for the ‘challenge’ 😀
Phil
Oh Christ … Pat .. I’m dangerous with a keyboard, this of course was for you,… I was in school with a fella called Pat Doran🙄 … Of course … let’s add Dundalk in there. Thanks for the idea of writing this piece!
Best wishes,
Phil.
Hey Christy,
Thanks for listening 😀. great ole craic altogether… in trying to find something positive in a pandemic, I got back into music. I hope others could also find something positive to hold onto .. mask free days are close at hand 👍🏼 …. the blood and bandage, hard to believe Cork started off wearing Blue shirts with a saffron C on the front ! I think I’ve an original goalie top somewhere in the house 😅.
Take care,
Phil.
Well Phil, whatever about Pat Doran, Pat D’Arcy is delighted with the journey through Louth. Fair play dhuit! Maybe for an update you could stick in a wee verse for my hometown Dundalk. And when Christy sings it in his next live stream/gig, I’ll be back up there over the moon. Some history wrapped up in your lyrics!
Christy's reply
pardon me Pat..I got my Darcys and Dorans mixed up there…. Dave from Manchester posted a link to the piper Felix Doran which led me onto an amazing recording of Johnny Doran playing three reels…my head is reeling from the sound of Johnny’s wild and wonderful playing
Right Pat, I’m a man of my word .. .Louth you wanted and An Lu (A journey in time) I’m sending on … be it good, bad or utter crap … its just great ole Craic doing a bit of writing !!
Myth and legend, and history
followed my dreams to Annagassan by the sea
I looked across from that harbour pier
And felt the county whisper in my ear
I could hear the boys fighting again
Cuchulainn and Ferdia and they fighting to the end
I hear that wailing that grim banshee
Ferdia is slain at the ford of the river Dee
I hear some writing, movement of a Quill
Manuscipts being copied in Dromin by Columcille
St Finnian saying, high king it’s not right
And so to Iona well Columcille took flight
From Drogheda I hear an anguished call
As Cromwells murdering troops batter down her walls
Murdering, deporting the old and then the young
That man was Satans friend he owned the devils tongue
I hear a whistle, steam train in Greenore
I breathe the view of old Slieve Foy from gravelly shores
think of all the folk who left in search of lesser pain
what they though whilst looking back when seated on that train
I hear the rattle of the fishing boats below
In Clogherhead they bobble at the port of Oriel
I hear the children playing in the sand not far away
sunlight is dancing on the water in the bay
Take care,
Phil
Christy's reply
I’ll tell you what Phil, you’re holding your own down there in the Blood and bandage…..I’ve just had a quick once over “An Lú”……you got a fair auld flow goin there for Pat Doran
Dermot O’Brien will be singin that one tonight, Kieran Halpin and Sean Corcoran too…
Great to read your memories of/ affection for the London/ Irish music scene. Via the search box (maybe youtube) at http://www.itma.ie there’s an excellent talk (with music extracts) by Dr Reg Hall. Very engaging info – goes well with Gerry Diver’s ‘The Speech Project’ (inc your excellent contribution).
Amongst the many pieces on Dylan yesterday, I was struck by the wonderful tone of President Higgins’ open letter to Dylan – from a fellow 80 year old…I can only look on with envy that such a warm gesture can be made so naturally, by a country’s statesman – who is also such a huge Dylan fan (the Slane Castle ’84 photo of Mr Higgins could be any of us!)
My final Dylan ramble (for awhile) is a nod to ‘The Guardian’. A piece about another Dylan art installation. Huge welded gates and sculptures (influenced by his childhood, Minnesota Iron Range roots and well worth a look online) that ensured that Dylan’s fame took him from ‘folk’ to ‘heavy metal’…
Time for one more cup of coffee now – enjoy the day
Dave
Christy's reply
Happened upon the raw bar in Manchester too…Felix Doran’s Uileann Pipes in Salford, Des Donnolly’s fiddle in Midleton, The McPeake Family in Blakeley, The Beggarmen at Crown & Anchor….
Michael D is a cool President….he remembers where he came from…he csn shoot the breeze with the best of them, can get down low whsn the situation calls,.. we’ve had a good run of Presidents in recent decades, the twa Marys and Micheal D have brought some dignity to Áras an Uachtaráin ….
gonna continue with the recording today….the team are gathering…Davy from Derry with the Revox, Johnny from Donegal with the Taks, Paddy from Clare with the work permits Jimmy from Galway with the castanets….I’m loading songs on to the back of the lorry……gonna try and tamp them out solid, lay them down level, spread them out even……we’ll be fryin eggs on the shovel….
we can let Bob rest for a while now..hes been drawn over the coals for the last week…we’ll give him 20 yesrs off for good behaviour and crank up the thrasher again in May 2041 when he hits the ton….doubtless he’ll still be here …releasing songbirds that will fly to the four corners…he’ll be raspin and chortllin, hummin and hawin, chewin the fat, confusin the possee, ……hopefully we’ll still be here, ears open for the next retort…
” Homesick Subterranen, Hard Rains Gonna when the Boat comes in, Black Diamond Bay The Dirge and The Hurricane…
Hattie Carroll and Hollis Brown, Summer Days Forever Young, St Augustine Maggie’s Farm and Like a Rolling Stone” …………( Zozimus and Zimmerman )
If it’s Elvis you’re after Christy I hear he has been sighted flippin’ burgers at Maccas, Springvale, Melbourne Vic. Oz.
When COVID lifts, you could motor on thru the drive-thru on your little Honda 50 & order some dubious pattie, plastic luminous cheese & other wondrous gourmet delights…
Be sure to give him a tip – maybe “back Vacant Lot” in the next – you can put your house on it..”
So Christy Absolutely the Lilting then you could “round up a herd of intros and outros”…. Maybe Cathal on the Intro and Declan with a Riff on the outro.
Ride on.
Christy's reply
If its liltin you’re after Patsy you came to the right place…
row dill dum dill dye dill diddelly eye dil dandy
at least thats the way Sean Maguire started that tune in The College in Harlesden back in 1966
Margaret Barry and Michael Gorman were there the same night…..I ended up sharing a bunk with Mairtín Byrnes and the reels were hoppin til mornin
the followin night I was vampin the bull fiddle below in Fulham Broadway with Raymond Roland and Liam Farrell….Roger Sherlock dropped in late…..Finbar Dwyer sat in for a set of reels……that London-Irish Music was top notch back in the 60s….to have heard that music was one of life’s priviledges
Hi Christy,
Enjoyed listening to the chat about Dylan, maybe I am dreaming it but was it mooted for you to join forces on stage with Bob at a festival at Tramore Racecourse many years ago, when you headlined on the Saturday night and Bob was headlining on The Sunday, but you opted for The Hogan Stand to watch a Meath V Dublin Leinster Final? Or is my memory playing tricks on me think it came up in chat on Jones Road on the way in.
“Maybe One Too Many Mornings”
Christy's reply
no, but I did miss singing with Elvis in Vegas to be at the Kildare County Final in 1961 when Moorefield won our first Senior Title…Elvis never forgave me..he took it real bad..tried everything…
was down that way last Sat…Senchelstown GAA is lookin very glitzy…was visiting the graves…its such a beautiful part of the country..that Southern Bank of The Boyne between Navan and Slane…a magical place
Thanks to you, Ray and all who put the gig together… what a brilliant way to mark Bob’s 80th and for you to play ‘live’…music sounding so good and having relaxed Kildare crack…
What a great Monday afternoon – Zozimus and Zimmerman ride on…
Thanks
Dave
Christy's reply
Fair play Dave..you were first in with the request…twas great to hear from Suffragette City
Aw Christy, that was a great programme with yourself and Ray D’Arcy. Both of you were loving it, sounded so relaxed.
I wonder about interviewers, I reckon that is an art in itself, to be able to present a show which comes across with a grand homely atmosphere. Sounds as if Ray has that gift?
I presume the book he was talking about is the brilliant ‘One Voice’, or is there another one I missed!?
Anyway, grand listening on a cold windy Whit Monday. Thanks.
Christy's reply
Ray has that soft Kildare Town burr about him…some of it a result of mitching out in the Furze bushes
Mornin’ Christy/ all
Last night I went to bed, heartened by Rory’s news about Frederick Douglass / the enlightened Hawick authorities /Rebecca’s excellent pick – and pondering songs… sometime in the small hours, the elusive song landed. It might not be the one Rory seeks/ is ultimately used, but…
‘No More Auction Block’ – first hit me via Dylan, decades back – more recently, via youtube (Odetta is beyond powerful…) and reading online info about the song’s poignant history.
Good luck to all wordsmiths amongst us, but I’ll throw this in as a start… also, I can ‘hear’ a solo voice with a subtle chorus for the ‘call and response’ effect. Good luck Rory, Hawick and all who answer the call…
Have a good day.
Dave
Hi All, I feel honoured to join such a fine group of musicians. Just a little about me; I am a Northof59er living on the west coast of Canada. I learned to play flute and clarinet in elementary school in the early 60’s and guitar by the time the 70’s arrived. I have written songs over the years and hope to learn from everyone here to up my game and interact constructively. Warm Regards, Grant Gibson
Christy sang it in Manchester during the height of the bexit stupidity.
I haven’t got a song of my own.
This is the best I can do
https://youtu.be/qXe2oyzXwbY
Dear Christy,
One year on…i can’t breathe, and out of that gloom comes light.
Today my application for funding for Hawick’s own Frederick Douglass commemoration came good. I had an idea, a plaque where he spoke 175 years ago this November to be erected in Hawick.
Took it to Borders Against Racism and was welcomed with open arms.
Our wee group has grown the idea to a plaque, a mural, a series of FD talks and an education pack for all of the town’s students 5-18 years on FD and suffrage, emancipation and equality.
I got the funding, yahoo, from our local councillors this very afternoon.
I thought that, exactly a year from GF’s murder, it was amazing.
I feel like singing but realised i have no FD song to that great hero….so here is the challenge to Christy yerself, to Wally, to Matt McGinn and John Spillane, to all 4711ers, is there a song out there deep within you ready to be written and unleashed for the great Frederick Douglass?
Thanks
Rory
Love your sound Phil, great songs. Pam
Well now Christy and Phil, what’s in a name? Delighted I am to be confused with come one famous….
The Dún Dealgan verse is a topper Phil, thanks a lot.
And thanks Christy for letting Phil and myself connect via your guestbook! A great place to be, to süß out the meaning of life, sure it is music, what else!
Hiya,
Ok this is getting embarrassing I feel like I’m taking over this page 😳. Someone told me once that us Cork people never take over we just infest 😬. Anyhow Pat D’Arcy …. in honour of your hometown Dundalk … let’s finish the song (An Lu) with a final verse … and apologies up front, can’t find a fada on this device.
I hear Dun Dealgan, she’s calling out my name
Where the Creggan’s now the Castletown, her majesty remains
As she flows out of her city and waving her goodbye
I must open up my eyes and wish I was nearby.
Best wishes Pat and thanks for the ‘challenge’ 😀
Phil
Oh Christ … Pat .. I’m dangerous with a keyboard, this of course was for you,… I was in school with a fella called Pat Doran🙄 … Of course … let’s add Dundalk in there. Thanks for the idea of writing this piece!
Best wishes,
Phil.
Hey Christy,
Thanks for listening 😀. great ole craic altogether… in trying to find something positive in a pandemic, I got back into music. I hope others could also find something positive to hold onto .. mask free days are close at hand 👍🏼 …. the blood and bandage, hard to believe Cork started off wearing Blue shirts with a saffron C on the front ! I think I’ve an original goalie top somewhere in the house 😅.
Take care,
Phil.
Well Phil, whatever about Pat Doran, Pat D’Arcy is delighted with the journey through Louth. Fair play dhuit! Maybe for an update you could stick in a wee verse for my hometown Dundalk. And when Christy sings it in his next live stream/gig, I’ll be back up there over the moon. Some history wrapped up in your lyrics!
pardon me Pat..I got my Darcys and Dorans mixed up there…. Dave from Manchester posted a link to the piper Felix Doran which led me onto an amazing recording of Johnny Doran playing three reels…my head is reeling from the sound of Johnny’s wild and wonderful playing
Howya Christy and Pat Doran !
Right Pat, I’m a man of my word .. .Louth you wanted and An Lu (A journey in time) I’m sending on … be it good, bad or utter crap … its just great ole Craic doing a bit of writing !!
https://soundcloud.com/philhastie/an-lu-a-journey-in-time
An Lu (A journey through time)
Myth and legend, and history
followed my dreams to Annagassan by the sea
I looked across from that harbour pier
And felt the county whisper in my ear
I could hear the boys fighting again
Cuchulainn and Ferdia and they fighting to the end
I hear that wailing that grim banshee
Ferdia is slain at the ford of the river Dee
I hear some writing, movement of a Quill
Manuscipts being copied in Dromin by Columcille
St Finnian saying, high king it’s not right
And so to Iona well Columcille took flight
From Drogheda I hear an anguished call
As Cromwells murdering troops batter down her walls
Murdering, deporting the old and then the young
That man was Satans friend he owned the devils tongue
I hear a whistle, steam train in Greenore
I breathe the view of old Slieve Foy from gravelly shores
think of all the folk who left in search of lesser pain
what they though whilst looking back when seated on that train
I hear the rattle of the fishing boats below
In Clogherhead they bobble at the port of Oriel
I hear the children playing in the sand not far away
sunlight is dancing on the water in the bay
Take care,
Phil
I’ll tell you what Phil, you’re holding your own down there in the Blood and bandage…..I’ve just had a quick once over “An Lú”……you got a fair auld flow goin there for Pat Doran
Dermot O’Brien will be singin that one tonight, Kieran Halpin and Sean Corcoran too…
Mornin’ Christy
Great to read your memories of/ affection for the London/ Irish music scene. Via the search box (maybe youtube) at http://www.itma.ie there’s an excellent talk (with music extracts) by Dr Reg Hall. Very engaging info – goes well with Gerry Diver’s ‘The Speech Project’ (inc your excellent contribution).
Amongst the many pieces on Dylan yesterday, I was struck by the wonderful tone of President Higgins’ open letter to Dylan – from a fellow 80 year old…I can only look on with envy that such a warm gesture can be made so naturally, by a country’s statesman – who is also such a huge Dylan fan (the Slane Castle ’84 photo of Mr Higgins could be any of us!)
My final Dylan ramble (for awhile) is a nod to ‘The Guardian’. A piece about another Dylan art installation. Huge welded gates and sculptures (influenced by his childhood, Minnesota Iron Range roots and well worth a look online) that ensured that Dylan’s fame took him from ‘folk’ to ‘heavy metal’…
Time for one more cup of coffee now – enjoy the day
Dave
Happened upon the raw bar in Manchester too…Felix Doran’s Uileann Pipes in Salford, Des Donnolly’s fiddle in Midleton, The McPeake Family in Blakeley, The Beggarmen at Crown & Anchor….
Michael D is a cool President….he remembers where he came from…he csn shoot the breeze with the best of them, can get down low whsn the situation calls,.. we’ve had a good run of Presidents in recent decades, the twa Marys and Micheal D have brought some dignity to Áras an Uachtaráin ….
gonna continue with the recording today….the team are gathering…Davy from Derry with the Revox, Johnny from Donegal with the Taks, Paddy from Clare with the work permits Jimmy from Galway with the castanets….I’m loading songs on to the back of the lorry……gonna try and tamp them out solid, lay them down level, spread them out even……we’ll be fryin eggs on the shovel….
we can let Bob rest for a while now..hes been drawn over the coals for the last week…we’ll give him 20 yesrs off for good behaviour and crank up the thrasher again in May 2041 when he hits the ton….doubtless he’ll still be here …releasing songbirds that will fly to the four corners…he’ll be raspin and chortllin, hummin and hawin, chewin the fat, confusin the possee, ……hopefully we’ll still be here, ears open for the next retort…
” Homesick Subterranen, Hard Rains Gonna when the Boat comes in, Black Diamond Bay The Dirge and The Hurricane…
Hattie Carroll and Hollis Brown, Summer Days Forever Young, St Augustine Maggie’s Farm and Like a Rolling Stone” …………( Zozimus and Zimmerman )
catch you later Dave
Hello Christy,
Oh yes, lilting all the way please. How did you get into it?
It was a strange moment yesterday when Ray D’Arcy asked about the meaning of life.
Rebecca
If it’s Elvis you’re after Christy I hear he has been sighted flippin’ burgers at Maccas, Springvale, Melbourne Vic. Oz.
When COVID lifts, you could motor on thru the drive-thru on your little Honda 50 & order some dubious pattie, plastic luminous cheese & other wondrous gourmet delights…
Be sure to give him a tip – maybe “back Vacant Lot” in the next – you can put your house on it..”
“Return to Sender” ?
So Christy Absolutely the Lilting then you could “round up a herd of intros and outros”…. Maybe Cathal on the Intro and Declan with a Riff on the outro.
Ride on.
If its liltin you’re after Patsy you came to the right place…
row dill dum dill dye dill diddelly eye dil dandy
at least thats the way Sean Maguire started that tune in The College in Harlesden back in 1966
Margaret Barry and Michael Gorman were there the same night…..I ended up sharing a bunk with Mairtín Byrnes and the reels were hoppin til mornin
the followin night I was vampin the bull fiddle below in Fulham Broadway with Raymond Roland and Liam Farrell….Roger Sherlock dropped in late…..Finbar Dwyer sat in for a set of reels……that London-Irish Music was top notch back in the 60s….to have heard that music was one of life’s priviledges
Hi Christy,
Enjoyed listening to the chat about Dylan, maybe I am dreaming it but was it mooted for you to join forces on stage with Bob at a festival at Tramore Racecourse many years ago, when you headlined on the Saturday night and Bob was headlining on The Sunday, but you opted for The Hogan Stand to watch a Meath V Dublin Leinster Final? Or is my memory playing tricks on me think it came up in chat on Jones Road on the way in.
“Maybe One Too Many Mornings”
no, but I did miss singing with Elvis in Vegas to be at the Kildare County Final in 1961 when Moorefield won our first Senior Title…Elvis never forgave me..he took it real bad..tried everything…
was down that way last Sat…Senchelstown GAA is lookin very glitzy…was visiting the graves…its such a beautiful part of the country..that Southern Bank of The Boyne between Navan and Slane…a magical place
An RTE treat, Christy
Thanks to you, Ray and all who put the gig together… what a brilliant way to mark Bob’s 80th and for you to play ‘live’…music sounding so good and having relaxed Kildare crack…
What a great Monday afternoon – Zozimus and Zimmerman ride on…
Thanks
Dave
Fair play Dave..you were first in with the request…twas great to hear from Suffragette City
Aw Christy, that was a great programme with yourself and Ray D’Arcy. Both of you were loving it, sounded so relaxed.
I wonder about interviewers, I reckon that is an art in itself, to be able to present a show which comes across with a grand homely atmosphere. Sounds as if Ray has that gift?
I presume the book he was talking about is the brilliant ‘One Voice’, or is there another one I missed!?
Anyway, grand listening on a cold windy Whit Monday. Thanks.
Ray has that soft Kildare Town burr about him…some of it a result of mitching out in the Furze bushes
Brilliant Song Christy..well done, 2 Kildare men at one.
Can I be bold and suggest you include it on the new Album ?
Best Regards.
you sure can patsy..with or without the lilting at the end ?