How ye Christy
It’s been 4 years since my last confession, well 4 years since I last seen your good self or even posted on here. Even had to make a new log in
Covid and a few babies on the rug seem to have gotten in the way
Looking forward to the gig tomorrow night. Second row seats as always, never could quite beat the seasoned pros to the finish line for the first row
Hope you’re well and in fine tune for the visit
Ride On
Colm
Christy's reply
for your Penace say;
3 Our Fathers,
6 Hail Mary’s
and dont be leaving it so long the next time….
Go in Peace my child and close that door on your way out
Looking forward to the Derry gigs. We have Clinton here in town today – think he mixed the dates up and didn’t realise the gig was tomorrow. Hope you have a safe journey and it will be great to have you and the crew back amongst us. It’s been too long.
Hello Christy,
Listening to the dark eyed sailor last night. What a great song it is. He comes home, she’s been saving to get married and they get on with each other. It doesn’t often happen.
I’m having my eyes tested this morning. I’m blind as a bat, not much better with these glasses. Hopefully I’ll be able to see again soon.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
you won’t know yourself when you get your new spectacles
I recently have moved here to Ireland and was introduced to your music from my Fiancé! Your music is amazing and your songs are so emotive. The very first song was “Black is the colour” which my partner sang to me. He has been listening to you for many years and we will be coming to see you in Kilarney …shh it’s a surprise! I was wondering if you could do a mention of him – Daniel Madden…it is a big year for both of us as we get married in September and he celebrates a big Birthday hence the surprise to come and see you.
Thank-you Christy ..looking forward to see you soon!
Renée
Christy's reply
Shh…I’ll not tell anyone !….
“Black is The Colour”is a great old song that…I first heard it in Glasgow in 1967 sung by Hamish Imlach who was a dear friend….I brought it back to Ireland when I came home in 1972…started singing it here in 1974 and it has become part of our national repertoire
I watched the ‘Lyra’ documentary last night. We were in flood of tears and also full of hope that there’s young amazing talented people out there with a passion for fixing this mad world. What a young woman she was and your amazing song ‘Lyra’ will keep her name alive and well and let her name and life live on for ever, we can’t wait to hear it recorded, thanks again.
I am an American traveling in Ireland for the first time ever and am excited to see you in concert this upcoming Wednesday in Derry!
I’ve enjoyed your studio albums and live performances via YouTube since being introduced to you several years ago. Your rendition of Beeswing brings me to tears as does North and South and Nancy Spain.
We’ve met the loveliest people, had fantastic meals and are tooling around this stunningly beautiful country in search of traditional Irish folk music until we get to you. I simply cannot wait!
In fact, my first introduction to live music was in Dublin at The Vault Restaurant. Daoiri Farrell sang beautifully and told me several stories about you and your talented family and how much fun it is to play with you and other local musicians. (His new cd is lovely as well.)
You are a national treasure, fantastic storyteller and performer. We are so excited to have the opportunity to see you live!
You have a growing fan base in the States, mostly because I tell everyone I know about you! Looking forward to hearing you soon!
Best, Deanna Hammes
Christy's reply
I’m busy here prepping for Derry..its been almost 4 years since I climbed The Walls….always a great gig City for me…. I first played St Columbs Hall with Planxty & Seamus Heaney back in 1972….since then a lot of water under the Bridge
Hi Christy, just watched Lyra a powerful documentary of a wonderful young woman whose life was brutally cut short. Fr. Alec Reid, The Secret Peacemaker also made for powerful viewing. I had the pleasure of sitting beside The Sagart at the fund-raiser gig for Liam Murray 6/7 years ago. Enjoying catching up on all the posts.
Christy's reply
That was a grand night we had for Liam Murray’s Family….I used to stay with Bob & Maureen back when their kids were wains….happy memories from dark times…I did not realise that Fr Alec was there that night..I’d liked to have met the good man
Good am. Some exciting news about one of the regular posters here CS from remote Connemara ! He features in a new teen drama on TG4 on Thurs, he plays the character Ronan, I can’t wait to see him on the small screen after his excellent performance on Song of Granite some years ago. Like all TG4 programmes it should be available globally, here is a piece about it https://www.galwaydaily.com/arts-entertainment/television/new-teen-drama-series-set-in-connemara-saol-ella-hitting-the-screens/ And some more good news the Kerry Camogie Women won a one in a row yesterday at Croker, they are now Division Two A Champions !! Croker was fairly empty compared to other finals, but the supporters from Galway & Kerry were passionate and vocal ! Enjoy the Derry gigs, safe travelling all, I believe there is a bit of a gaggle gathering, even from as far as the Rebel !! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Thanks for the update on Colm….I look forward to catching his “Ronan” in the coming weeks…
great to hear the “clash of the ash” resounding around the Kingdom….
many of us look on in awe at Kerry’s numerous achievements….we bow in wonder at the endless success emanating from the south west corner, Football, Music, Fashion,Hospitality, Scenery, Thespianery,Religiosity,Chief Superintendatry, Mountains, Gaps, Leaps, Torcs,Lakes,wide freshly tarmacked roads and Healy-Raes, on and on the list could run..and now Camogie to the list…
Well done Kerry, keep it up….we’ll be back there as quick as you can say Lyracrompane or Knocknagoshel……Shine On
Hello Christy,
That’s some set list you’ve got from Wexford. An amazing mixture of new, old, older, spoken, acapella, guitar, bodhran, slow, fast, pensive, sad, manic, clappy, silence inducing…. It’s the works!
Does inchicore Wake ever appear? I love that one.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
“Inchicore Wake “…another great song from the late Pete St John….since recording it in 2016 it has seldom appeared on the set list…I sing it regularly here in the work room, I love the way it flows, the language, the colourful characters that Pete describes….( he illustrated them all to me personally when we met some years ago)…..despite the great success that Pete’s songs achieved he was never accepted by the intellectual wing of the Irish Folk Revival….
Hello Christy,
Thank you so much for what you said. A great storyteller needs great understanding.
It’s handy that woodworm don’t like apps but there’s soul in the things they do like. I once played percussion in the Mikado. The base drum sounded like a cardboard box.
Liam Óg never fails, never lets us down…. I’ve just sailed to Newfoundland with him….all the way from Bucharest…as often happens, a sad but happy tear emerged…thanks for posting
Ha ha Christy if I was any closer to you last night I’d have been sitting on your knee playing that guitar with you, was such a fab fun night. And as always there’s always that one moment when I find myself glancing towards the darkness behind you to see that one movement (ha ha and no i never find it you’ll be glad to know) last night it was Johnny boy and straight into ride on my two favs, and then there was the boghràn because I was right in front of it the drumming went right up through my body such a powerful feeling …. thank you my dear friend for such a fun night, one that we so needed just now…. keep well, keep gigging ❤️
Christy's reply
Wexford is such a unique Town….I loves the accent,the musical flatness,the turns of phrase, …how the Town feels like its gathered around the boats,….the narrowness of the streets…..if only the heart of the Town could be entirely pedestrianised…..
one of our Family bloodlines emanated from Oylgate….our great grandfather,John Power, left there circa 1860 and moved to Hayestown in County Meath….driving through Oylgate after last night in the Opera House I wondered about distant relations…in my younger days I’d have pulled in and trawled the pubs for long lost cousins….a swift gallon and,no doubt, long lost cousins would emerge from the mist of time….porter porter and more porter….a fellow could finish a gig in Wexford of a Saturday night and still be in Oylgate the following Wednesday monrning…. all caution,logic and responsibility scattered out to The Saltee Islands…the madness tapering off as the funds ran out….where am I… how do I get home..
excuse my rambling Anne ….I went off topic there…thank you for your great feedback
Thankfully,these are more sober times…but its good to remind myself of what used to be..
I enjoyed where the gig took me…songs emerged that are seldom sung…Michael Hayes, Oblivious, Johnny Jump Up, Knock, Lightning-Bird-Wind-River-Man, Clock Winds Down….I wish that would happen more often…does my heart good to encounter old friends
set list …National Opera House Wexford April 15th 2023
1.City of Chicago
2. Quinte Brigada
3.Johnny Boy
4.Ride On.
5.Lingo Politico
6.Shovel.
7.Lyra McKee
8.Go Move Shift
9.Farmer Michael Hayes
10.Knock Song ( for Joe Biden)
11.Lemon 7s
12.Lightning Bird Wind River Man
13.Well below The Valley
14.Clock Winds Down
15.Lisdoonvarna
16.Oblivious
17.Bright Blue Rose
18.On The Mainland
19.Back Home in Derry
20.Johnny Jump Up
21.Delerium Tremens ( for Leo Varadkar & Kylie Minogue)
22.Stitch in Time
23.Beeswing
24.Ordinary Man
25.The Voyage
26.If I Get an Encore
27. Joxer goes to Stuttgart… ( for Joe Gorman)
28.Nancy Spain
29. Sonny’s Dream
Hello Christy,
Thank you to people here for introducing me to Desmond Egan.
Peace
(For Sean MacBride)
just to go for a walk out the road
just that
under the deep trees
which whisper of peace
to break the bread of words
with someone passing
just that
four of us round a pram
and baby fingers asleep
just to join the harmony
the fields the blue everyday hills
the puddles of daylight and
you might hear a pheasant
echo through the woods
or plover may waver by
as the evening poises with a blackbird
on its table of hedge
just that
and here and there a gate
a bungalow’s bright window
the smell of woodsmoke of lives
just that
but Sweet Christ that
is more than most of mankind can afford
with the globe still plaited in its own
crown of thorns
too many starving eyes
too many ancient children
squatting among flies
too many stockpiles of fear
too many dog jails too many generals
too many under torture by the impotent
screaming into the air we breathe
too many dreams stuck in money jams
too many mountains of butter selfishness
too many poor drowning in the streets
too many shantytowns on the outskirts of life
too many of us not sure what we want
so that we try to feed a habit for everything
until the ego puppets the militaries
mirror our own warring face
too little peace
—
It’s a strange thing to be disliked.
For turning up and being constant.
For being yourself and talking about things you hope we might have in common.
That’s life, I guess.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Thanks for posting this Rebecca….Desmond Egan’s “Peace” is both beautiful and powerful….he brings us to the heart of what we love, to the reality of what we fear….
while I’ve always known that Desmond had Kildare connections, only now have I realised that he has lived in my home town of origin, that he was an English Teacher in my old school…..
I met Sean McBride on a number of occasions…as a Barrister,he agreed to represent me in the High Court when Butterly challenged my song “They Never Came Home”….40 years on the families of the 48 are still seeking justice..
being constant, being one’s self,turning up in opposition to injustice….such activities will always raise the ire of the righteous…..being disliked by such critics can be worn as a badge of honour
When Pinochet seized Chile they arrested Victor then –
They caged him in the stadium with 5000 frightened men
Victor picked up his guitar his voice resounded strong
And he sang for his comrades till the guards cut short his song
Been listening to the This Is The Day album this week Christy, some lovely stuff in there including this homily to a hero.
Rory
Christy's reply
as I’ve said before Rory…I always appreciate your feedback on the back catalogue…it causes me to reflect upon the time those songs were recorded..that was a good project (This is The Day)…Declan Sinnott, Donal Lunny, Tim Martin and myself spent good times together laying down those tracks
Apologies for returning so soon C but it could be that POTUS is going to listen to you recite October by Patrick Kavanagh sometime soon ? It seems Pres.Michael D gave him a copy of the Claddagh Album ” Almost Everything ” san Aras ! While I’m here can I wish KM, the previous list poster, singer & songwriter, Cavan footballer, owner of good cars and staunch 4711er Lá Breithe Shona inniu. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
I had Joe on the phone yesterday..he wanted to come to Wexford tonight but there was not a seat to he had..I offered to drop over to An Tig Bán with a basket of ballads but I’ve not heard back yet..
Hi. An interesing list by Kevin, these lists are always rather random and for sure subjective !! My first 5 are fairly constant, but I could n’t confine it to 20 ! many are similar songs to KMs
BBR
Beeswing
Burning Times
Matty
Gortagort
Musgrave
This is the Day
Middle of the Island
Rosalita and Jack Cambell
Billy Grey
Quinta Brigada
Lightning Bird
Ride On
Tyrone Boys
Dec 1942
Boys of Barr na Sraide
Galtee Mountain Boy
Brendan Voyage
Scapegoats
On the Bridge
Minds Locked Shut
Four Strong Winds
Today the song of the day has to be Knock Song ” did NATO donate the dough ? ” Beir bua. H
Hi Christy, saw an article recently which attempted to list 20 of the “best” songs in your repertoire.. I don’t particularly like the term “best” when describing songs, so I tried to pick 20 favourites.. sure there are umpteen!!
In no particular order…
So Do I
Matty
The Voyage
Lightning Bird Wind River Man
Bright Blue Rose
Viva La Quinte Brigada
Hiroshima Nagasaki
Beeswing
Away You Broken Heart
Yellow Triangle
The Least We Can Do
Ordinary Man
Ride On
Tyrone Boys
Listen
DT’s
Duffy’s Cut
December 1942
Encore:
The Boys of Barr na Sraide
Go Move Shift
Hello Christy,
Thanks to Dave for all the drone tips. That shop in Manchester looks brilliant. I can’t remember it but it says on the website it’s been there 65 years. I must have walked past it hundreds of times on my way from Rusholme into the city centre. I need to get over there to have a good rummage around.
I did some searching yesterday, and the magic drone box does exist. I’ve now got an app on my phone that will create a drone on any note you like. It’s called Shruti box. It looks like you can get apps for everything these days.
I remember your harmonium playing, so realise that you’ll know more about keyboards than me…but ,in answer to Rebecca’s enquiry, I recall messing about with small Casio keyboards c 1990s and drones were possible…nowadays, I expect that some keyboard internal recording would be possible – e.g. maybe a note could be played on repeat, so giving a drone effect? Equally possible that there’s something more sophisticated…
There’s a great shop near Manchester Uni – a mine of info and stock of kit. Might be worth enquiring about gadgets etc at. http://Www.johnnyroadhouse.co.uk
That’s all from me, droning on…
Dave
Christy's reply
I’ve not laid a finger on the harmonium since the last Planxty gig in 2004…our original Harmonium was a miracle of survival…. the bellows leaked , bits fell off constantly, it was held together with blue tac, gaffa and sellotape, it fell out of the back of the van after a gig in Paris and sounded better after its fall…I used to hold down notes with matchsticks and pedal like bejasus while bangin the bodhrán like holyfuck at the end of The Blacksmith
Well Christy, saw your comment yesterday on Henry Flanagan. Picked up a print recently signed by himself and poet Desmond Egan. It’s from Kilcullen Amnesty Group, commemorating Father Romano. If you don’t have it, would love to send it on to you as an early birthday present. Cheers, Ger
Christy's reply
I’ll call down Chapel Lane one of these days…thanks Ger
How ye Christy
It’s been 4 years since my last confession, well 4 years since I last seen your good self or even posted on here. Even had to make a new log in
Covid and a few babies on the rug seem to have gotten in the way
Looking forward to the gig tomorrow night. Second row seats as always, never could quite beat the seasoned pros to the finish line for the first row
Hope you’re well and in fine tune for the visit
Ride On
Colm
for your Penace say;
3 Our Fathers,
6 Hail Mary’s
and dont be leaving it so long the next time….
Go in Peace my child and close that door on your way out
Looking forward to the Derry gigs. We have Clinton here in town today – think he mixed the dates up and didn’t realise the gig was tomorrow. Hope you have a safe journey and it will be great to have you and the crew back amongst us. It’s been too long.
Is the Dublin-Derry road finished yet ?
Hello Christy,
Listening to the dark eyed sailor last night. What a great song it is. He comes home, she’s been saving to get married and they get on with each other. It doesn’t often happen.
I’m having my eyes tested this morning. I’m blind as a bat, not much better with these glasses. Hopefully I’ll be able to see again soon.
Rebecca
you won’t know yourself when you get your new spectacles
Hi Christy,
I recently have moved here to Ireland and was introduced to your music from my Fiancé! Your music is amazing and your songs are so emotive. The very first song was “Black is the colour” which my partner sang to me. He has been listening to you for many years and we will be coming to see you in Kilarney …shh it’s a surprise! I was wondering if you could do a mention of him – Daniel Madden…it is a big year for both of us as we get married in September and he celebrates a big Birthday hence the surprise to come and see you.
Thank-you Christy ..looking forward to see you soon!
Renée
Shh…I’ll not tell anyone !….
“Black is The Colour”is a great old song that…I first heard it in Glasgow in 1967 sung by Hamish Imlach who was a dear friend….I brought it back to Ireland when I came home in 1972…started singing it here in 1974 and it has become part of our national repertoire
Hi Christy
I watched the ‘Lyra’ documentary last night. We were in flood of tears and also full of hope that there’s young amazing talented people out there with a passion for fixing this mad world. What a young woman she was and your amazing song ‘Lyra’ will keep her name alive and well and let her name and life live on for ever, we can’t wait to hear it recorded, thanks again.
Danny.
I hope to have it recorded soon
Hello Christie,
I am an American traveling in Ireland for the first time ever and am excited to see you in concert this upcoming Wednesday in Derry!
I’ve enjoyed your studio albums and live performances via YouTube since being introduced to you several years ago. Your rendition of Beeswing brings me to tears as does North and South and Nancy Spain.
We’ve met the loveliest people, had fantastic meals and are tooling around this stunningly beautiful country in search of traditional Irish folk music until we get to you. I simply cannot wait!
In fact, my first introduction to live music was in Dublin at The Vault Restaurant. Daoiri Farrell sang beautifully and told me several stories about you and your talented family and how much fun it is to play with you and other local musicians. (His new cd is lovely as well.)
You are a national treasure, fantastic storyteller and performer. We are so excited to have the opportunity to see you live!
You have a growing fan base in the States, mostly because I tell everyone I know about you! Looking forward to hearing you soon!
Best, Deanna Hammes
I’m busy here prepping for Derry..its been almost 4 years since I climbed The Walls….always a great gig City for me…. I first played St Columbs Hall with Planxty & Seamus Heaney back in 1972….since then a lot of water under the Bridge
Hi Christy, just watched Lyra a powerful documentary of a wonderful young woman whose life was brutally cut short. Fr. Alec Reid, The Secret Peacemaker also made for powerful viewing. I had the pleasure of sitting beside The Sagart at the fund-raiser gig for Liam Murray 6/7 years ago. Enjoying catching up on all the posts.
That was a grand night we had for Liam Murray’s Family….I used to stay with Bob & Maureen back when their kids were wains….happy memories from dark times…I did not realise that Fr Alec was there that night..I’d liked to have met the good man
Good am. Some exciting news about one of the regular posters here CS from remote Connemara ! He features in a new teen drama on TG4 on Thurs, he plays the character Ronan, I can’t wait to see him on the small screen after his excellent performance on Song of Granite some years ago. Like all TG4 programmes it should be available globally, here is a piece about it https://www.galwaydaily.com/arts-entertainment/television/new-teen-drama-series-set-in-connemara-saol-ella-hitting-the-screens/ And some more good news the Kerry Camogie Women won a one in a row yesterday at Croker, they are now Division Two A Champions !! Croker was fairly empty compared to other finals, but the supporters from Galway & Kerry were passionate and vocal ! Enjoy the Derry gigs, safe travelling all, I believe there is a bit of a gaggle gathering, even from as far as the Rebel !! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Thanks for the update on Colm….I look forward to catching his “Ronan” in the coming weeks…
great to hear the “clash of the ash” resounding around the Kingdom….
many of us look on in awe at Kerry’s numerous achievements….we bow in wonder at the endless success emanating from the south west corner, Football, Music, Fashion,Hospitality, Scenery, Thespianery,Religiosity,Chief Superintendatry, Mountains, Gaps, Leaps, Torcs,Lakes,wide freshly tarmacked roads and Healy-Raes, on and on the list could run..and now Camogie to the list…
Well done Kerry, keep it up….we’ll be back there as quick as you can say Lyracrompane or Knocknagoshel……Shine On
Hello Christy,
That’s some set list you’ve got from Wexford. An amazing mixture of new, old, older, spoken, acapella, guitar, bodhran, slow, fast, pensive, sad, manic, clappy, silence inducing…. It’s the works!
Does inchicore Wake ever appear? I love that one.
Rebecca
“Inchicore Wake “…another great song from the late Pete St John….since recording it in 2016 it has seldom appeared on the set list…I sing it regularly here in the work room, I love the way it flows, the language, the colourful characters that Pete describes….( he illustrated them all to me personally when we met some years ago)…..despite the great success that Pete’s songs achieved he was never accepted by the intellectual wing of the Irish Folk Revival….
Hello Christy,
Thank you so much for what you said. A great storyteller needs great understanding.
It’s handy that woodworm don’t like apps but there’s soul in the things they do like. I once played percussion in the Mikado. The base drum sounded like a cardboard box.
Here’s something for a Sunday morning
https://youtu.be/19-monW6j_Q
Rebecca
Liam Óg never fails, never lets us down…. I’ve just sailed to Newfoundland with him….all the way from Bucharest…as often happens, a sad but happy tear emerged…thanks for posting
Ha ha Christy if I was any closer to you last night I’d have been sitting on your knee playing that guitar with you, was such a fab fun night. And as always there’s always that one moment when I find myself glancing towards the darkness behind you to see that one movement (ha ha and no i never find it you’ll be glad to know) last night it was Johnny boy and straight into ride on my two favs, and then there was the boghràn because I was right in front of it the drumming went right up through my body such a powerful feeling …. thank you my dear friend for such a fun night, one that we so needed just now…. keep well, keep gigging ❤️
Wexford is such a unique Town….I loves the accent,the musical flatness,the turns of phrase, …how the Town feels like its gathered around the boats,….the narrowness of the streets…..if only the heart of the Town could be entirely pedestrianised…..
one of our Family bloodlines emanated from Oylgate….our great grandfather,John Power, left there circa 1860 and moved to Hayestown in County Meath….driving through Oylgate after last night in the Opera House I wondered about distant relations…in my younger days I’d have pulled in and trawled the pubs for long lost cousins….a swift gallon and,no doubt, long lost cousins would emerge from the mist of time….porter porter and more porter….a fellow could finish a gig in Wexford of a Saturday night and still be in Oylgate the following Wednesday monrning…. all caution,logic and responsibility scattered out to The Saltee Islands…the madness tapering off as the funds ran out….where am I… how do I get home..
excuse my rambling Anne ….I went off topic there…thank you for your great feedback
Thankfully,these are more sober times…but its good to remind myself of what used to be..
I enjoyed where the gig took me…songs emerged that are seldom sung…Michael Hayes, Oblivious, Johnny Jump Up, Knock, Lightning-Bird-Wind-River-Man, Clock Winds Down….I wish that would happen more often…does my heart good to encounter old friends
set list …National Opera House Wexford April 15th 2023
1.City of Chicago
2. Quinte Brigada
3.Johnny Boy
4.Ride On.
5.Lingo Politico
6.Shovel.
7.Lyra McKee
8.Go Move Shift
9.Farmer Michael Hayes
10.Knock Song ( for Joe Biden)
11.Lemon 7s
12.Lightning Bird Wind River Man
13.Well below The Valley
14.Clock Winds Down
15.Lisdoonvarna
16.Oblivious
17.Bright Blue Rose
18.On The Mainland
19.Back Home in Derry
20.Johnny Jump Up
21.Delerium Tremens ( for Leo Varadkar & Kylie Minogue)
22.Stitch in Time
23.Beeswing
24.Ordinary Man
25.The Voyage
26.If I Get an Encore
27. Joxer goes to Stuttgart… ( for Joe Gorman)
28.Nancy Spain
29. Sonny’s Dream
Hello Christy,
Thank you to people here for introducing me to Desmond Egan.
Peace
(For Sean MacBride)
just to go for a walk out the road
just that
under the deep trees
which whisper of peace
to break the bread of words
with someone passing
just that
four of us round a pram
and baby fingers asleep
just to join the harmony
the fields the blue everyday hills
the puddles of daylight and
you might hear a pheasant
echo through the woods
or plover may waver by
as the evening poises with a blackbird
on its table of hedge
just that
and here and there a gate
a bungalow’s bright window
the smell of woodsmoke of lives
just that
but Sweet Christ that
is more than most of mankind can afford
with the globe still plaited in its own
crown of thorns
too many starving eyes
too many ancient children
squatting among flies
too many stockpiles of fear
too many dog jails too many generals
too many under torture by the impotent
screaming into the air we breathe
too many dreams stuck in money jams
too many mountains of butter selfishness
too many poor drowning in the streets
too many shantytowns on the outskirts of life
too many of us not sure what we want
so that we try to feed a habit for everything
until the ego puppets the militaries
mirror our own warring face
too little peace
—
It’s a strange thing to be disliked.
For turning up and being constant.
For being yourself and talking about things you hope we might have in common.
That’s life, I guess.
Rebecca
Thanks for posting this Rebecca….Desmond Egan’s “Peace” is both beautiful and powerful….he brings us to the heart of what we love, to the reality of what we fear….
while I’ve always known that Desmond had Kildare connections, only now have I realised that he has lived in my home town of origin, that he was an English Teacher in my old school…..
I met Sean McBride on a number of occasions…as a Barrister,he agreed to represent me in the High Court when Butterly challenged my song “They Never Came Home”….40 years on the families of the 48 are still seeking justice..
being constant, being one’s self,turning up in opposition to injustice….such activities will always raise the ire of the righteous…..being disliked by such critics can be worn as a badge of honour
When Pinochet seized Chile they arrested Victor then –
They caged him in the stadium with 5000 frightened men
Victor picked up his guitar his voice resounded strong
And he sang for his comrades till the guards cut short his song
Been listening to the This Is The Day album this week Christy, some lovely stuff in there including this homily to a hero.
Rory
as I’ve said before Rory…I always appreciate your feedback on the back catalogue…it causes me to reflect upon the time those songs were recorded..that was a good project (This is The Day)…Declan Sinnott, Donal Lunny, Tim Martin and myself spent good times together laying down those tracks
Apologies for returning so soon C but it could be that POTUS is going to listen to you recite October by Patrick Kavanagh sometime soon ? It seems Pres.Michael D gave him a copy of the Claddagh Album ” Almost Everything ” san Aras ! While I’m here can I wish KM, the previous list poster, singer & songwriter, Cavan footballer, owner of good cars and staunch 4711er Lá Breithe Shona inniu. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
I had Joe on the phone yesterday..he wanted to come to Wexford tonight but there was not a seat to he had..I offered to drop over to An Tig Bán with a basket of ballads but I’ve not heard back yet..
Happy BIrthday Kevin…..
See purcellauctioneers.ie
Look at ‘auctions’.
See lot numbers 75 to 79.
Not a drone or harmonium in sight.
woodworm love harmoniums
Hi. An interesing list by Kevin, these lists are always rather random and for sure subjective !! My first 5 are fairly constant, but I could n’t confine it to 20 ! many are similar songs to KMs
BBR
Beeswing
Burning Times
Matty
Gortagort
Musgrave
This is the Day
Middle of the Island
Rosalita and Jack Cambell
Billy Grey
Quinta Brigada
Lightning Bird
Ride On
Tyrone Boys
Dec 1942
Boys of Barr na Sraide
Galtee Mountain Boy
Brendan Voyage
Scapegoats
On the Bridge
Minds Locked Shut
Four Strong Winds
Today the song of the day has to be Knock Song ” did NATO donate the dough ? ” Beir bua. H
Hi Christy, saw an article recently which attempted to list 20 of the “best” songs in your repertoire.. I don’t particularly like the term “best” when describing songs, so I tried to pick 20 favourites.. sure there are umpteen!!
In no particular order…
So Do I
Matty
The Voyage
Lightning Bird Wind River Man
Bright Blue Rose
Viva La Quinte Brigada
Hiroshima Nagasaki
Beeswing
Away You Broken Heart
Yellow Triangle
The Least We Can Do
Ordinary Man
Ride On
Tyrone Boys
Listen
DT’s
Duffy’s Cut
December 1942
Encore:
The Boys of Barr na Sraide
Go Move Shift
Hello Christy,
Thanks to Dave for all the drone tips. That shop in Manchester looks brilliant. I can’t remember it but it says on the website it’s been there 65 years. I must have walked past it hundreds of times on my way from Rusholme into the city centre. I need to get over there to have a good rummage around.
I did some searching yesterday, and the magic drone box does exist. I’ve now got an app on my phone that will create a drone on any note you like. It’s called Shruti box. It looks like you can get apps for everything these days.
Rebecca
Hi Christy
I remember your harmonium playing, so realise that you’ll know more about keyboards than me…but ,in answer to Rebecca’s enquiry, I recall messing about with small Casio keyboards c 1990s and drones were possible…nowadays, I expect that some keyboard internal recording would be possible – e.g. maybe a note could be played on repeat, so giving a drone effect? Equally possible that there’s something more sophisticated…
There’s a great shop near Manchester Uni – a mine of info and stock of kit. Might be worth enquiring about gadgets etc at. http://Www.johnnyroadhouse.co.uk
That’s all from me, droning on…
Dave
I’ve not laid a finger on the harmonium since the last Planxty gig in 2004…our original Harmonium was a miracle of survival…. the bellows leaked , bits fell off constantly, it was held together with blue tac, gaffa and sellotape, it fell out of the back of the van after a gig in Paris and sounded better after its fall…I used to hold down notes with matchsticks and pedal like bejasus while bangin the bodhrán like holyfuck at the end of The Blacksmith
..row dum dil doh
rowdle dowdle dum dye doh
Well Christy, saw your comment yesterday on Henry Flanagan. Picked up a print recently signed by himself and poet Desmond Egan. It’s from Kilcullen Amnesty Group, commemorating Father Romano. If you don’t have it, would love to send it on to you as an early birthday present. Cheers, Ger
I’ll call down Chapel Lane one of these days…thanks Ger