Hi Christy,
I was at the gig in the Pavilion tonight, I absolutely loved it, thanks very much. I don’t know how you do it, but you keep getting better.
Christy's reply
Tell you the truth Oliver…I enjoyed it too….the set flowed out…the only song pre- planned was the opener…the rest emerged on the spot..brought on by the good juju in the room….I give thanks for this privilidged existence…all I’ve ever wanted to do is sing…Last night the listeners were extraordinary and inspirational
Many thanks for the TG4 tip offs – I’m usually lucky with the channel, so will be hunting.
In a very different way, I’ll also play Raggle Taggle…and think of Liam Og – not far off 50 years on since I first saw Planxty and marveled at the individual and combined talents. I still do…
Have an ace night
Dave
Christy's reply
some new lines inserted into Jacko’s classic version:
“She gave to them a glass of wine
she gave to them some Brandy”
“said the servin girl from down below the stairs
she’s away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsy”
“but when he came to the field below the River
twas there he spied his Lady O”
“I’d rather have a kiss o’ the Yellow Gypsy’s lips
then all your Gold ‘n your Money and your Silver O”
I like to write lines that flow better (for me)….
and I loves to tease the mudcats, bless them….
Hi Christy. Only got round to writing this now..super gig in the Pavilion on Tuesday..particularly loved Well below the Valley and Raggle Taggle..I am sure Mr. Reilly would sure be proud of the performance! And of course can’t go without saying a huge thanks for dedicating Ordinary Man for Liam..his first gig will surely be one he will never forget…I think those around him were in awe of his belting out of nearly every song on the night…You truly made his night. Thanks again. Stay safe.
Alan…
Christy's reply
Well done to Liam…hope he keeps up the singing..I think I could hear him ..
what a great buzz for you too. ..to be at a gig with your son…many of us never had such an experience….I often wish I could have gone to a gig with our father but we lost him very early on….Andy Moore was his name…I can remember him singing “The Kerry Dances” , “The Garden where the Praties Grow” and “The Pride of Petravore”..he had a lovely voice
My Brother Luka Bloom wrote a song called “The Man is Alive “…..he was only 4 months old when our Father died….
Sorry, I meant to say. I think it’s best to avoid twitter and Facebook, if you can. It can get stupid and pointless in there very quickly. The way I deal with it is, family and musicians are the only people I’m friends with on Facebook. On twitter I don’t write any original tweets. The going in those places can get very heavy.
Thanks Dave, hope to get chance to watch that documentary on you tube
Christy's reply
I sometimes wonder where people get the time …..then I look around me…..
Still in the bunker as the winds rage… good luck tonight.
From the UK, there’s no RTE access to ‘Scannal’ / Cavan orphanage fire doc – but it looks like some/ all of it is on youtube. What a tragedy, victims deserve to be remembered.
Dave
Christy's reply
Another great TG4 series is called “Finné” an excellent documentary on Irish Blues Man Don Baker last week..another one last night on Environmental Warriors who fought to protect the Glen O’The Downs in County Wicklow 25years ago….TG4 is the gem of Irish TV service…both well worth a look if you can access them
Hello Christy,
The stardust vigil got plenty of attention on twitter. Gerry Adams retweeted Sean Murray’s post showing the video of you singing They Never Came Home. Gerry Adams has 195 thousand followers on twitter, so it will have been seen by a lot of people. That’s how I saw it.
Just tuning up here for tonight’s gig in The Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire….. 56 years on and I still get nervous….I hear the early listeners coming in….its a lovely Theatre….its on the site of an old Cinema…Planxty played in that same Cinema in 1972….gonna sing the Raggle Taggle tonight in memory of Liam Óg
Hi Christy,
How is THE BLACKBIRD AND THE TRACTOR coming on?
A set of discs with outtakes, crewcuts, machinations, livewires, cassette recordings, lockdown sessions, reminiscences, protestsongs and firkins.
I see you are working hard, gigging like there is no tomorrow, practicing, honing and carving.
It would be great to be a fly on the wall there….or in the jam.
Your enthusiasm , dedication, engagement and tea drinking are a joy to behold, keep on keeping on.
Rory
Christy's reply
I got lots of imaginary flies on the wall here Rory…they keep me on my toes..examining every move I make, every detour I take…they become particularly curious when I embark on re-writes..been hauling out a few from the back catalogue, seeking to make them fit for purpose again….I consider anything not gigged in the past 4 years to be “back catalogue” …changing occasional lines here and there..trying different chords…all grist to my mill ….
Folk Tale still on the back boiler….any mention of Paula Meehan’s piece reminds me of Traudel…what a great 4711er she was…..herself and Horst always a lovely presence when they landed for a gig…..
I think I’ll sing Gortatagort tonight..gonna go now and give it a whirl…or two
Great that last night’s gig went well… I’m sure you and revellers will be in for a terrific season.
Howling wind and driving rain here, so glad of an afternoon of music and history… your mention of Bess Cronin prompted me to check out her story and John’s timely family news,sent me to http://www.hmdb.org where the Sharkey sisters are well documented. What amazing relatives you’ve traced, John.- I hope you’re not waiting too long to have a hold of the US book, after years of wondering about it.
Keep safe, all
Dave
Christy's reply
“I never thought she would prove false or either prove untrue
as we sailed away from Milford Bay on board The Kangaroo”
Hi Christy,
a few short facts about my grand uncle, P.A.Sharkey (if your still curious). He was a priest who wrote a number of books and visited America in the 1920s where he addressed the U.S. Congress and met and befriended Eamon de Valera. On returning from the states he was refused a curacy by the bishop of Elphin because of his involvement in politics. He was also a brother to my great aunts ‘ the Sharkey sisters’, who have a plaque at their home in Strokestown,
Christy's reply
Thanks John…reading between the lines I’m guessing that the Bishop was fearful of your Uncle’s radical approach….Irish Catholic Bishops were renowned for their conservative anti-progressive policies….in my youth they still had almost total control over their “flock”….since then their grip has loosened as corrupt practices have become exposed..
Hello Christy,
I’m so glad to hear about your gig last night.
A new start and long may it continue.
The short video that Sean Murray posted on twitter from the stardust vigil caught a voice full of strength and beauty.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Glad to hear that the Stardust Vigil is gaining some attention…I purposely avert my gaze from Facebook & Twitter etc etc ..I need time to focus on work…this platform is my only distraction from the job at hand ..thanks for feedback…may the Sun shine down on Brighouse, on the Harp & Pipes therein
Hi Christy,
A wonderful relaxed, laid back Gig in the Pavilion tonight…. Opening and closing on the West Coast, … The Hills of Donegal to Lisdoon. Hope you didn’t get wet jogging home afterwards 😂.
Great to be back meeting some more 4711ers.
Best regards
Patsy
Christy's reply
I was shaky at the beginning…there was a great welcome in the room…its a lovely space in which to work…I played in the dressing room for an hour beforehand…carefully constructed a set list which was subsequently abandoned completely….I like the process of making a set list, I like having it there before me but always forget to look at it once the lights go down….I blooped a bit on “A Pair of Brown Eyes” , erred slightly on “Rosalita & Jack Cambell” but I was happy to meet the “Raggle Taggle” again…..
Last night felt like the start of a new season…I’m hoping we can fulfil a full list of fixtures…that conditions will continue to improve…that we’ll get to rock manys the auld sheebeen…..fair play to you Patsy
Hi Christy,just wanted to reiterate your comments on Dave and his insperational ‘delvings’. For years I have been trying (without sucess) to get my hands on a copy of the book, The Heart Of Ireland, which was written in 1927 by P.A. Sharkey, a brother of my grandfather. Anyway following your reply to Dave yesterday I decided to give it another go and managed to locate a copy in a book shop in America which should be winging its way across the Atlantic any day soon. So thanks to you and Dave for the nudge, I now know how J.R. Hartley felt when he finally tracked down a copy of Fly Fishing!! The Questbook works in mysterious ways. P.S, whilst I’m on, congradulations to Kevin on his song, I really enjoyed it.
Christy's reply
You have me curious…”The Heart of Ireland” by your grand uncle…..must have been a great buzz to locate a copy….hope it lands safely and meets all expectations….
Hi Christy, been a while since I’ve visited the guestbook. I got to one of the half capacity gigs in vicar St before Christmas and it was one the best nights of the last couple of years. After a couple of decades of seeing you in hotel rooms and the like where it was all relatively chilled, I’m amazed at your energy at those vicar St gigs. Very much on par with the barrowlands madness. Loved every second.
Am loving tommy tiernan show these days and just waiting for Freddy to call out your name.
I see the wonderful Cait O Riordan of The Pogues is celebrating 15 years sober today by goin to your gig tonight…..she’s speaking about it on Twitter.
Came across a band called Ye Vagabonds recently, they do their own version of raggle taggle….mighty band, can’t get enough of them.
Anyway enough of my drivel, enjoy the gigs and catch you later in the year.
Christy's reply
been listening to those two Carlow Vagabonds for a few years now….they’ve been sending out nice sounds ..they always remind me of Johnny Moynihan….
Hows tricks in Droichead Nua? how many pubs left… I think there used to be 19 back in my early days most of them bottling their own porter
The Grand Hotel
Hugh Neesons
Barney Gallivans
TJ McCabes
Charlie Ryans
Paddy Sex’s
Flanagans of the Front St
Tom O’Rourke’s
Jim Cox’s Arch Bar
Paddy & JIm Coffey’s ( beneath The Clock)
Cummins’s
PJ Cox’s
Floods
John Johnsons
The Winning Post
Flanagans of the Back St
Aspels
Mick Sex’s
Ryans
many got new names since.others fell by the wayside…i got ”the slate” in 3 of them but always managed to clear my debts
plus nearby shady nooks like The Thatch in Athgarvan, Paddy Leahy’s Standhouse on The Curragh, Kellys & Cribbins in Miltown, The Red House and Osberstown a bit further out..numerous Wet Canteens in The Curragh Camp, The Rising Sun and Bird Flanagan’s in Brownstown…..and still some of us nearly died of the thirst…
Betimes my memory carries me back to Rosy’s Lane, the Back o The Barracks,The Sand Pit, The Furry Glen, The Seven Springs, Hanly’s Jungle,
ringin the Bell for Paddy Cullen, collecting waste paper for Bob Duggan, deliverin papers for Rasher Conlon,on the road with Joe Redmond, …..I better pull in here, the kettle is whistlin
Hi H – thanks for your words re the song. That is a Walden guitar (Lowden hangin’ on the wall). For those who may be interested (and able to access), there is a short documentary called, “Cavan Fire” on the RTE Player that was part of The Scannal Collection. Link here: https://bit.ly/3rMfeNb
I read the story of the orphanage fire and found myself focusing on the Mckiernan family. When the mother died, the two girls were moved to the industrial school, to the care of nuns. It didn’t say what happened to the boys Hugh and Matt.
So this has been in my head, going round.
I hope things are not the same now and we’ve learned that men can bring up girls as well as boys..
In my job I work with a lot of men and am their manager. Many of them are parents. I’ve had the priviledge to have been trusted by some of them when they have asked for advice about their girls. I’ve done my best to help with a woman’s mind and experience. These fathers are exactly the right people to be raising their girls, and I hope, these days, they are allowed to do so.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I think one of the Brothers was subsequently interviewed on an RTE TV Doc called Scannal
Hi All. A great song there KM, it’s such a sad story your lyrics are very well suited to the melody and your delivery is excellent, thanks for sharing. Is that your Louden ? Such a preventable tragedy it seems, as the nuns survived, what is it that the downtrodden / marginalised just do n’t seem to count ? be they in Tuam or Coolock or Derry or any number of other places and especially in residential institutions ? Remembering is important but when we ever learn ? This is however also a good week with solo gigs returning to that lovely venue in DL and many more announced including the NCH aris ! Safe travelling all. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
on we go H ,on this “poor auld lousy auld earth”.. while many strive to do the best they can, there’s always the few who seek to corrupt,to exploit, to rule devour and destroy the very essence of what Mother Nature created and gifted to sustain us all ,
the air, the light and the water, from where we all emerged ,slowly losing the potency essential to our survival….let us remember,let us act
twas good to get back last night….I felt at home with the good and generous listeners
ps
just read your folk club/ gig list in detail…great to see Sunday in Withington – where our paths first crossed ( not that you knew it) at ‘The Golden Lion’ in 1971… D
I’ve no ability to write songs, but really enjoy interpreting the hard work of others…
My oldest friend is battling serious illness. In acts of great generosity, he’s passing on some of his possessions that will be well used by mates/ family. So, amazingly, I got an excellent mandolin, out of the blue…I’ve had one for years, always tuned to ‘open G’ (as played in last year’s excellent Pat/Rory video for you)So, it’s a fascinating process to get my fingers to hit the fretboard on different runs and melodies.
‘Planxty – One night in Bremen’ is wonderful listening, with an ace mix of songs that I’m hijacking…Without them being aware, Andy and Donal are excellent tutors and it’s fun picking out the melodies/ hitting the licks…I’ve always liked the drive of ‘Farmer Michael Hayes’ – it’s a terrific melody to play – but I know I’m preaching to the converted, after your versions! I’ve focused on that song initially, but I’ve boarded SS Kangaroo a time or two…as a variation, Paul Brady’s ‘ Paddy’s green Shamrock shore’ is brilliant.
As ever, all good wishes
Dave
Christy's reply
we all need our interpreters Dave…and our archivists,researchers, our deep delvers who uncover lost treasure, who recut old gems that they may might sparkle once again, our Bert Lloyds,Ewan MacColls, Tom Munnellys,Shirley Collins, John Reillys, Bess Cronins, Sarah Makems….all those keepers of the thread, who breathe life back into verses lying fallow on the musty pages of time
“O come gather round me people and a story I will tell”
No problem Dave – I’ve always found this platform to be a great educator, not only on the songs and song-writers, but a variety of topics..most recently the importance of remembering..
Hi Christy,
I was at the gig in the Pavilion tonight, I absolutely loved it, thanks very much. I don’t know how you do it, but you keep getting better.
Tell you the truth Oliver…I enjoyed it too….the set flowed out…the only song pre- planned was the opener…the rest emerged on the spot..brought on by the good juju in the room….I give thanks for this privilidged existence…all I’ve ever wanted to do is sing…Last night the listeners were extraordinary and inspirational
Hi Christy
Many thanks for the TG4 tip offs – I’m usually lucky with the channel, so will be hunting.
In a very different way, I’ll also play Raggle Taggle…and think of Liam Og – not far off 50 years on since I first saw Planxty and marveled at the individual and combined talents. I still do…
Have an ace night
Dave
some new lines inserted into Jacko’s classic version:
“She gave to them a glass of wine
she gave to them some Brandy”
“said the servin girl from down below the stairs
she’s away with the Raggle Taggle Gypsy”
“but when he came to the field below the River
twas there he spied his Lady O”
“I’d rather have a kiss o’ the Yellow Gypsy’s lips
then all your Gold ‘n your Money and your Silver O”
I like to write lines that flow better (for me)….
and I loves to tease the mudcats, bless them….
Hi Christy. Only got round to writing this now..super gig in the Pavilion on Tuesday..particularly loved Well below the Valley and Raggle Taggle..I am sure Mr. Reilly would sure be proud of the performance! And of course can’t go without saying a huge thanks for dedicating Ordinary Man for Liam..his first gig will surely be one he will never forget…I think those around him were in awe of his belting out of nearly every song on the night…You truly made his night. Thanks again. Stay safe.
Alan…
Well done to Liam…hope he keeps up the singing..I think I could hear him ..
what a great buzz for you too. ..to be at a gig with your son…many of us never had such an experience….I often wish I could have gone to a gig with our father but we lost him very early on….Andy Moore was his name…I can remember him singing “The Kerry Dances” , “The Garden where the Praties Grow” and “The Pride of Petravore”..he had a lovely voice
My Brother Luka Bloom wrote a song called “The Man is Alive “…..he was only 4 months old when our Father died….
Sorry, I meant to say. I think it’s best to avoid twitter and Facebook, if you can. It can get stupid and pointless in there very quickly. The way I deal with it is, family and musicians are the only people I’m friends with on Facebook. On twitter I don’t write any original tweets. The going in those places can get very heavy.
Thanks Dave, hope to get chance to watch that documentary on you tube
I sometimes wonder where people get the time …..then I look around me…..
Mornin’ Christy
Still in the bunker as the winds rage… good luck tonight.
From the UK, there’s no RTE access to ‘Scannal’ / Cavan orphanage fire doc – but it looks like some/ all of it is on youtube. What a tragedy, victims deserve to be remembered.
Dave
Another great TG4 series is called “Finné” an excellent documentary on Irish Blues Man Don Baker last week..another one last night on Environmental Warriors who fought to protect the Glen O’The Downs in County Wicklow 25years ago….TG4 is the gem of Irish TV service…both well worth a look if you can access them
Hello Christy,
The stardust vigil got plenty of attention on twitter. Gerry Adams retweeted Sean Murray’s post showing the video of you singing They Never Came Home. Gerry Adams has 195 thousand followers on twitter, so it will have been seen by a lot of people. That’s how I saw it.
Thankyou for pointing me rowards Brendan Kennelly. I’m reading his stuff like there’s no tomorrow.
This one drew me right in.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10165675135130136&id=847680135
Its so feminine.
Tried to find if it’s been set to a tune but I can’t find anything.
Rebecca
Just tuning up here for tonight’s gig in The Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire….. 56 years on and I still get nervous….I hear the early listeners coming in….its a lovely Theatre….its on the site of an old Cinema…Planxty played in that same Cinema in 1972….gonna sing the Raggle Taggle tonight in memory of Liam Óg
Hi Christy,
How is THE BLACKBIRD AND THE TRACTOR coming on?
A set of discs with outtakes, crewcuts, machinations, livewires, cassette recordings, lockdown sessions, reminiscences, protestsongs and firkins.
I see you are working hard, gigging like there is no tomorrow, practicing, honing and carving.
It would be great to be a fly on the wall there….or in the jam.
Your enthusiasm , dedication, engagement and tea drinking are a joy to behold, keep on keeping on.
Rory
I got lots of imaginary flies on the wall here Rory…they keep me on my toes..examining every move I make, every detour I take…they become particularly curious when I embark on re-writes..been hauling out a few from the back catalogue, seeking to make them fit for purpose again….I consider anything not gigged in the past 4 years to be “back catalogue” …changing occasional lines here and there..trying different chords…all grist to my mill ….
Folk Tale still on the back boiler….any mention of Paula Meehan’s piece reminds me of Traudel…what a great 4711er she was…..herself and Horst always a lovely presence when they landed for a gig…..
I think I’ll sing Gortatagort tonight..gonna go now and give it a whirl…or two
Hi Christy/ all
Great that last night’s gig went well… I’m sure you and revellers will be in for a terrific season.
Howling wind and driving rain here, so glad of an afternoon of music and history… your mention of Bess Cronin prompted me to check out her story and John’s timely family news,sent me to http://www.hmdb.org where the Sharkey sisters are well documented. What amazing relatives you’ve traced, John.- I hope you’re not waiting too long to have a hold of the US book, after years of wondering about it.
Keep safe, all
Dave
“I never thought she would prove false or either prove untrue
as we sailed away from Milford Bay on board The Kangaroo”
…. from the singing of Bess Cronin
Hi Christy,
a few short facts about my grand uncle, P.A.Sharkey (if your still curious). He was a priest who wrote a number of books and visited America in the 1920s where he addressed the U.S. Congress and met and befriended Eamon de Valera. On returning from the states he was refused a curacy by the bishop of Elphin because of his involvement in politics. He was also a brother to my great aunts ‘ the Sharkey sisters’, who have a plaque at their home in Strokestown,
Thanks John…reading between the lines I’m guessing that the Bishop was fearful of your Uncle’s radical approach….Irish Catholic Bishops were renowned for their conservative anti-progressive policies….in my youth they still had almost total control over their “flock”….since then their grip has loosened as corrupt practices have become exposed..
Hello Christy,
I’m so glad to hear about your gig last night.
A new start and long may it continue.
The short video that Sean Murray posted on twitter from the stardust vigil caught a voice full of strength and beauty.
Rebecca
Glad to hear that the Stardust Vigil is gaining some attention…I purposely avert my gaze from Facebook & Twitter etc etc ..I need time to focus on work…this platform is my only distraction from the job at hand ..thanks for feedback…may the Sun shine down on Brighouse, on the Harp & Pipes therein
Hi Christy,
A wonderful relaxed, laid back Gig in the Pavilion tonight…. Opening and closing on the West Coast, … The Hills of Donegal to Lisdoon. Hope you didn’t get wet jogging home afterwards 😂.
Great to be back meeting some more 4711ers.
Best regards
Patsy
I was shaky at the beginning…there was a great welcome in the room…its a lovely space in which to work…I played in the dressing room for an hour beforehand…carefully constructed a set list which was subsequently abandoned completely….I like the process of making a set list, I like having it there before me but always forget to look at it once the lights go down….I blooped a bit on “A Pair of Brown Eyes” , erred slightly on “Rosalita & Jack Cambell” but I was happy to meet the “Raggle Taggle” again…..
Last night felt like the start of a new season…I’m hoping we can fulfil a full list of fixtures…that conditions will continue to improve…that we’ll get to rock manys the auld sheebeen…..fair play to you Patsy
Hi Christy,just wanted to reiterate your comments on Dave and his insperational ‘delvings’. For years I have been trying (without sucess) to get my hands on a copy of the book, The Heart Of Ireland, which was written in 1927 by P.A. Sharkey, a brother of my grandfather. Anyway following your reply to Dave yesterday I decided to give it another go and managed to locate a copy in a book shop in America which should be winging its way across the Atlantic any day soon. So thanks to you and Dave for the nudge, I now know how J.R. Hartley felt when he finally tracked down a copy of Fly Fishing!! The Questbook works in mysterious ways. P.S, whilst I’m on, congradulations to Kevin on his song, I really enjoyed it.
You have me curious…”The Heart of Ireland” by your grand uncle…..must have been a great buzz to locate a copy….hope it lands safely and meets all expectations….
Hi Christy, been a while since I’ve visited the guestbook. I got to one of the half capacity gigs in vicar St before Christmas and it was one the best nights of the last couple of years. After a couple of decades of seeing you in hotel rooms and the like where it was all relatively chilled, I’m amazed at your energy at those vicar St gigs. Very much on par with the barrowlands madness. Loved every second.
Am loving tommy tiernan show these days and just waiting for Freddy to call out your name.
I see the wonderful Cait O Riordan of The Pogues is celebrating 15 years sober today by goin to your gig tonight…..she’s speaking about it on Twitter.
Came across a band called Ye Vagabonds recently, they do their own version of raggle taggle….mighty band, can’t get enough of them.
Anyway enough of my drivel, enjoy the gigs and catch you later in the year.
been listening to those two Carlow Vagabonds for a few years now….they’ve been sending out nice sounds ..they always remind me of Johnny Moynihan….
Hows tricks in Droichead Nua? how many pubs left… I think there used to be 19 back in my early days most of them bottling their own porter
The Grand Hotel
Hugh Neesons
Barney Gallivans
TJ McCabes
Charlie Ryans
Paddy Sex’s
Flanagans of the Front St
Tom O’Rourke’s
Jim Cox’s Arch Bar
Paddy & JIm Coffey’s ( beneath The Clock)
Cummins’s
PJ Cox’s
Floods
John Johnsons
The Winning Post
Flanagans of the Back St
Aspels
Mick Sex’s
Ryans
many got new names since.others fell by the wayside…i got ”the slate” in 3 of them but always managed to clear my debts
plus nearby shady nooks like The Thatch in Athgarvan, Paddy Leahy’s Standhouse on The Curragh, Kellys & Cribbins in Miltown, The Red House and Osberstown a bit further out..numerous Wet Canteens in The Curragh Camp, The Rising Sun and Bird Flanagan’s in Brownstown…..and still some of us nearly died of the thirst…
Betimes my memory carries me back to Rosy’s Lane, the Back o The Barracks,The Sand Pit, The Furry Glen, The Seven Springs, Hanly’s Jungle,
ringin the Bell for Paddy Cullen, collecting waste paper for Bob Duggan, deliverin papers for Rasher Conlon,on the road with Joe Redmond, …..I better pull in here, the kettle is whistlin
Hi H – thanks for your words re the song. That is a Walden guitar (Lowden hangin’ on the wall). For those who may be interested (and able to access), there is a short documentary called, “Cavan Fire” on the RTE Player that was part of The Scannal Collection. Link here: https://bit.ly/3rMfeNb
Hope it’s an enjoyable return to The Pav l8r..
sound
Hello Christy and All,
I read the story of the orphanage fire and found myself focusing on the Mckiernan family. When the mother died, the two girls were moved to the industrial school, to the care of nuns. It didn’t say what happened to the boys Hugh and Matt.
So this has been in my head, going round.
I hope things are not the same now and we’ve learned that men can bring up girls as well as boys..
In my job I work with a lot of men and am their manager. Many of them are parents. I’ve had the priviledge to have been trusted by some of them when they have asked for advice about their girls. I’ve done my best to help with a woman’s mind and experience. These fathers are exactly the right people to be raising their girls, and I hope, these days, they are allowed to do so.
Rebecca
I think one of the Brothers was subsequently interviewed on an RTE TV Doc called Scannal
Hi All. A great song there KM, it’s such a sad story your lyrics are very well suited to the melody and your delivery is excellent, thanks for sharing. Is that your Louden ? Such a preventable tragedy it seems, as the nuns survived, what is it that the downtrodden / marginalised just do n’t seem to count ? be they in Tuam or Coolock or Derry or any number of other places and especially in residential institutions ? Remembering is important but when we ever learn ? This is however also a good week with solo gigs returning to that lovely venue in DL and many more announced including the NCH aris ! Safe travelling all. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
on we go H ,on this “poor auld lousy auld earth”.. while many strive to do the best they can, there’s always the few who seek to corrupt,to exploit, to rule devour and destroy the very essence of what Mother Nature created and gifted to sustain us all ,
the air, the light and the water, from where we all emerged ,slowly losing the potency essential to our survival….let us remember,let us act
twas good to get back last night….I felt at home with the good and generous listeners
ps
just read your folk club/ gig list in detail…great to see Sunday in Withington – where our paths first crossed ( not that you knew it) at ‘The Golden Lion’ in 1971… D
Hi Christy
I’ve no ability to write songs, but really enjoy interpreting the hard work of others…
My oldest friend is battling serious illness. In acts of great generosity, he’s passing on some of his possessions that will be well used by mates/ family. So, amazingly, I got an excellent mandolin, out of the blue…I’ve had one for years, always tuned to ‘open G’ (as played in last year’s excellent Pat/Rory video for you)So, it’s a fascinating process to get my fingers to hit the fretboard on different runs and melodies.
‘Planxty – One night in Bremen’ is wonderful listening, with an ace mix of songs that I’m hijacking…Without them being aware, Andy and Donal are excellent tutors and it’s fun picking out the melodies/ hitting the licks…I’ve always liked the drive of ‘Farmer Michael Hayes’ – it’s a terrific melody to play – but I know I’m preaching to the converted, after your versions! I’ve focused on that song initially, but I’ve boarded SS Kangaroo a time or two…as a variation, Paul Brady’s ‘ Paddy’s green Shamrock shore’ is brilliant.
As ever, all good wishes
Dave
we all need our interpreters Dave…and our archivists,researchers, our deep delvers who uncover lost treasure, who recut old gems that they may might sparkle once again, our Bert Lloyds,Ewan MacColls, Tom Munnellys,Shirley Collins, John Reillys, Bess Cronins, Sarah Makems….all those keepers of the thread, who breathe life back into verses lying fallow on the musty pages of time
“O come gather round me people and a story I will tell”
Thanks Christy.. you can have a listen here: https://vimeo.com/677260341
No problem Dave – I’ve always found this platform to be a great educator, not only on the songs and song-writers, but a variety of topics..most recently the importance of remembering..
Kev
A pleasure to share info, Christy
I’m stuck with being a ‘Gemini’ (late May birthday)…so jump between things – and have some time on my hands these days. No complaints though…
Enjoy the day
Dave
you may have “time on your hands” Dave, ….
that being the case, you certainly seem to put it to very good use….
are you working on any new songs ?…