A Chat to start 2023 …

A Chat to start 2023.

 

Good Listeners all,

 

It’s a busy day here in the workroom.

Thankfully the year has kicked off well with some gigs in Vicar Street Dublin.

Two new songs introduced – “Lemon 7s” by Brian Brannigan and “Lyra McKee” by James Cramer.

“The Big Marquee” is on the verge and “Zozimus and Zimmerman” chomping on the bit.

great to see some (long-haul) familiar faces returning after the yoke. The gig has been uplifted by the arrival of many new listeners.

The audience participation swelling to Barrowland proportions which is magnificent to behold. These nights the listeners sing joyfully in choral unison then listen carefully when a quiet song begins. After 56 years of gigging it never fails to inspire.

Thankfully the voice appears to be holding up – fingers crossed. I hope to continue as long as the voice box does (and the legs to carry it).

The crew are still intact and on the ball.  Paddy, Mick, Dickon, David, John and Geoff still 100% supportive as they strive to ensure that singer and listener can make the best of every gig.

 

Since covid, gigs have been confined to Ireland (32 Counties). It’s not known yet if or when we’ll ferry again. Air travel is no longer an option for me.

I’ve no specific recording plans but many ideas are kicking about.

Up until recent years, the “next album” would always have been a priority but that seems to have faded a bit. I’ve not tried to analyse this feeling –  Not sure whether it’s my age or the changing attitude to recorded music.

The public listening to music has changed utterly. The return to vinyl is promising – nothing beats good audio reproduction. The full sound of well-played, well recorded, well amplified music is still so rewarding, but the convenience of new devices seems to rule the roost.

Thankfully, many are coming back to gigs again…that’s where songs and music are at their best.

 

We attended a song circle last night – 35 people gathered and most of them sang at least one song. we heard numerous songs for the first time and many more were great favourites

An extra bonus was to hear two of my own songs sung by other singers. that’s a great buzz altogether – “On the Bridge” and “Come all You Dreamers” never sounded better.

 

I came across this Obituary to Ciarán Bourke, a founder member of The Dubliners. It appeared in the Irish Times after Ciarán’s death in 1988 & was written by my Brother-in-law Davoc Rynne

 

CIARAN BOURKE – An Appreciation – published in The Irish Times in 1988

I wasn’t the only one that noticed him at the Gorey Leinster Fleadh on a sunny weekend in 1962. Himself and Jennie were certainly not the kind of people that would be lost in a crowd. Ciaran, tall tangle bearded and dressed rough in a donkey jacket with bits of hay hanging from it and Jeannie, small wearing a hand knit gansey to her knees, walking barefooted. No, they would certainly not go un-noticed in a small town in the early 60’s when beards were as rare as ships in a forest, seen only on old men or apostles of JC. I had devoured Jack Kerouac’s Dharma Bums, but Ciarán Bourke was the first beatnik I had ever seen. I was determined to meet this man. Later in the year at the Fiddlers Club in Church Street in Dublin, I got my chance. I found out from him that he was a builder and general Jack of all Trades. I told him of a job available in Prosperous doing up an old house. He hitched down the following week, with difficulty. Long beards were discriminated against at the time! He told me he walked with his back to the traffic, thumbing, but when turning around his potential lift would put the boot down. He arrived with no baggage other than a Clarke’s tin whistle.

He could converse on any subject under the sun. Hours we spent discussing how to cook a chicken without plucking it. Any open-hearth cooking, using pots, spits, cranes or whatever, he was past master at. He saw the open fire as the centre of the universe, were all domestic and social activity took place. Every night he picked a prime position and rolled his blanket down in front of the fire. He also had the amazing gift of bringing the best out in everybody. He discovered dormant talents in people in Prosperous they hardly knew they had themselves. Some that hadn’t played for 20 years he got them to bring out their instruments and have a go again. They sang to him, told yarns and played music and he was very tolerant of their rustiness. Ciaran sang “The Cruise of the Calabar” – “it’s only forty verses and I won’t detain you long”, played superbly the “Cuckoo Hornpipe”, told stories and to any audience and an audience could be one. I remember a local Garda Sergeant arriving in full uniform with his set of pipes. He played for an hour for just the two of us. Other sessions weren’t quite so small and intimate. One night all the Dublin beatniks arrived. There was Dusty, Stan, Ben, Nat, Jeannie, Rusty, Dick, Jake, names that float to my mind. Some had no names and no addresses. There were fires lit and food was cooked and a dozen pints could be bought for a pound, if you had a pound!

These were heady pre-TV/Walkman days that I will always remember, but for Ciaran Bourke they would not have happened for me. He was the centre of it. The house eventually got restored and it still doesn’t let in the rain and the toilet still works! Only three times I met Ciaran since. Once on a fleeting visit to Prosperous, next at Christy Moore’s wedding when we were all too drunk to converse and lastly at Luke’s funeral when we were all too sad to talk.

Ciaran Bourke will remain in many a mind. He was salt of the earth, a wild and hilarious man.

May the sod rest lightly on him.

D.R.

 

I thought that some of you might like to remember Ciarán – a truly gifted Troubadour.

It was in Davoc’s house that the “Prosperous” album was recorded 52 years ago.

Since then, Davoc and my sister Anne have been living in West Clare where they are both involved in making music and song. They can be heard here; https://www.rynnefolk.com/

 

Tuesday January 10^th.

Last night in Vicar St rang clear in my head – it just seemed to flow. Before me, beneath me, beside me, around me, gathered a gaggle of listeners who travelled with me every verse of the way. To my right, somewhere in the room was a very special listener. a precious person who participated in their own very special way. Every now and then I feel blessed to hear those special sounds – Thank You dear listener, whoever you may be.

 

It was night 10 of a 13-night run in the Dublin venue that, for a variety of reasons, is close to my heart. Since it first opened 25 years ago, I’ve played there perhaps 200 times. I know every nook and cranny of the room. I’ve also attended numerous gigs as a listener – Jackson Browne, Lisa O’Neill, Roseanne Cash, Damien Dempsey, Tommy Tiernan, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Dylan Moran, Janis Ian, Jackie Mason, Steve Cooney, Kila and others. I’ve played many benefit gigs there in support of front-line workers. The venue is run by the Aiken Family. Last year marked 50 years since my first gig with Aikens. Back then the late Jim Aiken promoted a Planxty Concert in The Carlton Cinema on O’Connell St in Dublin. It was to mark the release of the first Planxty Album (the black one!). That was a night to remember. It’s heart-breaking to see what has become of O’Connell Street –  the Main Street in our Capital City has been turned into a Monopoly Board where Dublin City Councillors/Planners/Developers/Builders/Gambling & Burger Joint Proprietors wreak havoc on that once gracious thoroughfare.

 

Last night’s gig featured these songs (not in this sequence – I’m working from memory here)

Chicago

Quinte Brigada

Lyra McKee

Lemon 7s

Gasún

Lisdoonvarna

Magdalen Laundry (Joni Mitchell)

Clock Winds Down

Ringing The Bell

Nancy Spain

Black is The Colour

On the Mainland

Back Home in Derry

Joxer

Amsterdam

Ordinary Man

Ride On

Stitch in Time

Welcome to the Cabaret

The Voyage

Allende

Motherland

Sail On Jimmy

Spancilhill

 

Today I hope to record a video gig for the contingent of Irish Soldiers on UN Service in the Golan Heights – hopefully they’ll get to see it on Patrick’s Day in the GPO at their camp. we’ll record it in a room where the road crew lodge. a chair, a guitar, a camera, a recorder and away we go.

 

 

Then to hear the news from West Kerry …

Seamus Begley has died. What a Gaeltacht man was he. A gentle giant of a man with the most beautiful singing voice, His polkas, reels and jigs were the heart of many the set.

His slow airs always full of passion and pathos. On top of that his charm, his fun and roguery were infectious. I toured with Seamus and Steve Cooney way back. The excitement of their music has stayed with me ever since. Deepest Sympathy to his Family, his Friends and to the Community he so cherished.

 

Days later – dark of night – not sure what date we’re at.

The Vicar Street run of gigs came to an end – 13 nights over 6 weeks.

My thanks to all who make the venue such a great place to work.

My own Team, Aiken’s Crew and the Vicar Street Operation all working together towards the same conclusion.

 

Time now to reflect as we look forward to what lies ahead.

May the songs and music keep our spirits high.

 

Christy

 

New Date announced for Limerick May 19th

Dear Listeners,

We have the following dates on sale for 2023

University Concert Hall Limerick May 19th,
TLT Drogheda July 5th
Theatre Royal Waterford July 19th and 21st
Great Northern Bundoran September 26th

Further details  here on the gig page

A few remaining dates still on sale

Dear Listeners,

University Concert Hall Limerick May 4th,
Castlecourt Hotel Westport May 24th
Cork Live at the Marquee June 17th,
Slieve Russell Cavan June 23rd
INEC Killarney June 30th,
TLT Drogheda July 5th
Theatre Royal Waterford July 19th and 21st
Great Northern Bundoran September 26th

Further details  here on the gig page

A few remaining dates still on sale

Dear Listeners,

University Concert Hall Limerick May 4th,
Radisson Hotel Sligo May 11th,
Castlecourt Hotel Westport May 24th
Cork Live at the Marquee June 17th,
Slieve Russell Cavan June 23rd
INEC Killarney June 30th,
TLT Drogheda July 5th
Theatre Royal Waterford July 19th and 21st
Great Northern Bundoran September 26th

Further details  here on the gig page

ALL VICAR STREET SHOWS SOLD OUT

EXTRA AND FINAL VICAR STREET SHOW ADDED JAN 17TH

Christy Moore

Extra and final Vicar Street Show date added

17 January 2023 

 Extra date on sale at 3pm today Friday Sept 30th

We are today announcing an extra and final date at Dublin’s Vicar Street – 17 January 2023. This means that Christy will play 13 dates at Vicar Street spread across November, December and January.

Pre Sale link to Vicar Street shows

Dear Listeners,

There have been posts to the website asking about how to get notice of pre-sale.

The Artist Pre Sale link to Vicar Street shows is scheduled to be delivered on Monday Sept. 26th to all valid email addresses registered with the current newsletter.

Artist Pre-sale tickets on sale Tuesday September 27th via link received by email.

Tickets On Sale to General Public  Thursday 29^th September at 9.00am

Vicar Street

Nov 23 & 29 2022

Dec 5, 7, 12, 14 & 18 2022

Jan 2, 4, 9, 11, 15 2023

CHRISTY ANNOUNCES 12 NIGHTS IN VICAR STREET

Dear Listeners,

I am happy to announce we are planning 12 shows in Vicar Street starting in November.  Hope to see you along the way.

 

Tickets On Sale   Thursday 29^th September at 9.00am

Nov 23 & 29 2022                 Dec 5, 7, 12, 14 & 18 2022               Jan 2, 4, 9, 11, 15 2023

Doors open 7pm Show starts 8pm

Further details  here on the gig page

CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF CORK LIFE CENTRE

Dear Listeners,

I’m very pleased to tell you that in Tribute to Don O’Leary, I will be playing a concert at the Cork Opera House on Sunday Nov 6th in support of Cork Life Centre.  Tickets go on sale Thursday September 15th.

All Proceeds to Cork Life Centre. 

Further details  here on the gig page

 

The Cork Life Centre is an alternative education project for young people who cannot access their education in the mainstream secondary school system.  www.corklifecentre.org

2nd Carrickdale Hotel Show announced for November 18th.

Dear Listeners,

First show gone, but we now have a second show scheduled for November 18th.

Tickets on sale Monday  July 25th.

Further details  here on the gig page

CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN’S AID

Christy Moore announces concert in support of

WOMEN’S AID

Vicar Street, 11th July 2022

Tickets on sale this Monday 23rd May at 9am

Christy Moore today announced that he will perform a special concert at Vicar Street on 11th July in support of Women’s Aid.

Women’s Aid has been working to stop domestic violence against women and children since 1974. As a leading support service, their ethos is based on listening to and believing women, and giving them the support they need to escape and recover from abuse. In addition to this, through advocacy, representation and policy reform they seek to create an Ireland where domestic violence is not tolerated. Women’s Aid will remain at the forefront of this endeavour, supporting women and advocating for change, until Ireland is free from domestic violence against women and children.

Tickets for this special concert, priced at 50 euro, go on sale this Monday 23rd May at 9am from Ticketmaster.ie

For more on Women’s Aid go to www.womensaid.ie

Change of Venue for July Show

Dear Listeners,
We have had to change the venue for our July 20th show. It is now scheduled to take place at the Mullingar Park Hotel on the same date – July 20, 2022. All previously purchased tickets remain valid.
Please accept our apology for any inconvenience caused.
Further details  here on the gig page

Spring and Summer Calendar

Dear Listeners,

There are still tickets available for:

Thurs May 26th – Limerick Concert Hall

Sat June 11th – Tullamore Cout Hotel

Fri June 17th – Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan

Fri July 15th – National Opera House, Wexford

Hope to see you soon.

Further details  here on the gig page

Killarney Show Rescheduled to April 23rd.

Dear Listeners,

Unfortunately I have tested positive for Covid-19 and will have to reschedule this weekend’s gig in the Gleneagle INEC Arena. The show will now take place on Saturday April 23rd. All previously purchased tickets remain valid for this new date. I am feeling well and I thank you for your continued support. Looking forward to seeing you all in Killarney on April 23rd.

Christy

Further details  here on the gig page

VICAR ST CONCERT IN AID OF IRISH RED CROSS UKRAINE APPEAL

Dear Listeners,

Please join us in Vicar St. for a Benefit Concert on April 11th at 8pm.

CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF IRISH RED CROSS UKRAINE APPEAL

11th April 2022 @ 8pm

Vicar Street, Dublin. Fully Seated.

Tickets € 50 on sale Wednesday 16th March at 9am

ALL PROCEEDS TO THE IRISH RED CROSS TO ASSIST IN THEIR WORK

The Irish public have been so generous up to now in supporting the Irish Red Cross in their humanitarian work for the refugees and those who continue to live in Ukraine during the ongoing crisis. Even if you cannot attend the concert, you can donate on the Irish Red Cross website (www.redcross.ie) or on Revolut. All funds received will go directly to Red Cross partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to assist them in their humanitarian efforts, to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities, reconnect families separated by conflict and provide life-saving food and hygiene items as well as shelter given the cold and snow on the ground.

Further details  here on the gig page

Another Few Dates To Tell You About

Dear Listeners,

Happy to announce a few new shows for your diary.

Carlow on April 8th

Sligo on April 27th

Two Kilkenny shows on May 19th and 21st

Naas on June 2nd

Cavan June 17th

And a second Galway show on Sept 2nd.

Hope to see you at one of them.

Further details  here on the gig page

More Shows Added to the Calendar

Dear Listeners,

We have added shows in the National Concert Hall, Dublin;  University Concert Hall, Limerick;  Wexford Opera House;  Leisureland, Galway.

Further details  here on the gig page

MORE GOOD NEWS!

Dear Listeners,

We have added shows in Waterford, Drogheda, Mullingar, Killarney, Athlone and Limerick.

Further details  here on the gig page

Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire Shows Announced

Dear Listeners,

We are delighted to tell you that we now have 4 shows on sale for the Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire Feb 15, 17, 22, and 25.

Further details  here on the gig page

 

FURTHER CHANGES TO JANUARY SHOWS

Christy Moore

Vicar Street  

Following the most recent announcement of new Government guidelines re Covid-19 measures, Aiken Promotions announce a change to performance time for Christy Moore’s upcoming concerts at Vicar St. on  3^rd & 9^th January.

Doors will now be open at 5pm, with show time at 6pm sharp.

 

Announcement regarding the 11th and 17th of January shows.

In line with the most recent Government guidelines re Covid-19 measures, Aiken Promotions announce  the sold out shows at Vicar St. on  the 11th & 17^th January are cancelled with all tickets refunded.

A new  limited capacity show will go on sale this morning at 10am, Dec 22nd.  Show time 6pm sharp, doors at 5pm.

Please note original tickets will not be valid at the rescheduled shows.

Between The Jigs And The Reels: A Retrospective

Tracklist

True Love Knows No Season (Billy Gray) 5:29
Pat Reilly 3:15
Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór 3:33
Follow Me Up To Carlow 2:20
Băneasă’s Green Glade/Mominsko Horo 5:48
Aconry Lasses/The Old Wheels Of The World/The Spike Island Lasses 3:32
The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes 6:10
Accidentals/Aragon Mill 6:02
The Irish Marche 3:37
The Rambling Siúler 4:19
The Well Below The Valley 5:30
Junior Crehan’s Favourite/Corney is Coming 2:36
Roger O’Hehir 5:33
Smeceno Horo 4:32
The West Coast of Clare 5:30
Nancy Spain 3:32
Timedance 6:30

Live From The Late Late Show (1972)

The Blacksmith / Blacksmithereens

The Music Makers, Live From The National Stadium (1973)

Three Drunken Maidens / The Foxhunter’s Reel
When First Unto This Country
Sweet Thames Flow Softly
The Gold Ring (Jig)
Hey! Sandy
Kitty Gone A Milking / Music Of The Forge (Reels)
Only Our Rivers Run Free
Raggle Taggle Gypsy / Tabhair Dom Do Lámh
Three Drunken Maidens / The Foxhunter’s Reel (Reprise)

Live From The Abbey Tavern (1980)

The Good Ship Kangaroo
Ride A Mile / Hardiman The Fiddler / The Yellow Wattle (Jigs)
The Hackler From Grouse Hall
An Bonnán Buí / The West Wind (Reel)
The Jolly Beggar
Sally Brown
Bean Pháidín / Rakish Paddy
Little Musgrave

Live Aisling Gheal Special (1980)

East At Glendart / Brian O’Lynn / Pay The Reckoning (Double Jigs)
The Lady On The Island / The Gatehouse Maid / The Virginia / Callaghan’s (Reels)
As I Roved Out
Smeceno Horo

Festival Folk, Live From The National Stadium (1982)

Johnny Of Brady’s Lea
The Pullet / The Ladies’ Pantalettes (Reels)
I Pity The Poor Immigrant
Arthur McBride
True Love Knows No Season (Billy Gray)
Timedance
You Rambling Boys Of Pleasure
The Good Ship Kangaroo
Táimse Im’ Chodladh
Thousands Are Sailing
The Queen Of The Rushes / Paddy Fahy’s (Jigs)
Little Musgrave
The Scholar / The Chattering Magpie / Lord McDonald’s / The Virginia / Callaghan’s (Reels)
The Cliffs Of Dooneen

Flying Into Mystery

Track List
1 Johnny Boy
2 Clock Winds Down
3 Greenland
4 Flying Into Mystery
5 Gasún
6 All I Remember
7 December 1942
8 Van Diemen’s Land
9 The Bord na Móna Man
10 Myra’s Caboose
11 Zozimus & Zimmerman
12 Pity the Poor Immigrant

Upcoming Vicar Street Shows

Christy Moore – The Early Years 1969-81

Track List

1 Home By Bearna
2 Lanigan’s Ball
3 Limerick Rake
4 Johnny Jump Up
5 Tippin’ It Up To Nancy
6 Nancy Spain
7 The Cliffs Of Dooneen
8 Little Musgrave
9 Rambling Robin
10 Trip To Jerusalem / Two Reels: The Mullingar Races; The Crooked Road
11 John O’Dreams
12 Sacco & Vanzetti
13 The Ballad Of Tim Evans
14 One Last Cold Kiss: Trip To Roscoff
15 The Raggle Taggle Gypsy: Tabhair Dom Do Lámh
16 The Moving-On-Song (Go! Move! Shift!)
17 I Wish I Was In England
18 Hey Sandy (Live in Dublin, 1978)
19 The Crack Was Ninety In The Isle Of Man (Live in Dublin, 1978)
20 January Man
21 Clyde’s Bonnie Banks (Live in Dublin, 1978)
22 Black Is The Colour Of My True Love’s Hair (Live in Dublin, 1978)
23 Spancilhill
24 The Ballad Of James Larkin
25 Paddy On The Road

Magic Nights

Track List

1 Magic Nights In The Lobby Bar
2 Matty
3 Sonny’s Dream
4 Ringing That Bell
5 A Pair Of Brown Eyes
6 Sail On Jimmy
7 Burning Times
8 The Tuam Beat
9 Back Home In Derry
10 Rosalita and Jack Campbell
11 Duffy’s Cut
12 Motherland
13 Spancilhill
14 Before The Deluge
15 The Two Conneeleys
16 Missing You

Pity the Poor Immigrant

Bob Dylan (to an older air)

I pity the poor immigrant who wishes he’d stayed at home
Uses all his power to do evil, in the end is always left so alone
That man who with his fingers cheats who lies with every breath
Who passionately hates his life and likewise fears his death
I pity the poor immigrant whose strength is spent in vain
Whose heaven is like ironsides, and whose tears are like the rain
Who eats but is not satisfied, who hears but does not see
Who falls in love with wealth itself and turns his back on me
I pity the poor immigrant who tramples through the mud
Who fills his mouth with laughing and who builds his town with blood
Whose vision in the final end must shatter like a glass
I pity the poor immigrant when his gladness comes to pass

More Info 

I recorded this previously with Planxty in 1982. I feel more at ease 40 years on. I love the abstract nature of these three verses. My favourite song from the song and dance man. Singing it has knocked me sideways betimes. One night in London, out of the blue, the emotion caught me. I choked up. Liam O’Flynn recognised my predicament. He took up the melody and carried it away. I dedicate this version to the memory of my late Uncle Jimmy Power of Ardmulchan, Co. Meath.

Zozimus and Zimmerman

Christy Moore and Wally Page

Zozimus was singing the Pharoah’s daughter
As Me and Valerie we left O’Donoghue’s
On Butt Bridge we crossed the River Liffey
Down along the North Wall we joined the queue
There was Hippies there and Lurchers from Dunmanway
Flash Harrys down from Killiney Hill
Quare Hawks in Limousines and Helicopters
To hear Zimmerman the King of Vaudeville
The lights went down and the crowd went cat melodeon
We were all revved up and ready to engage
Having hitch hiked all the way from Minnesota
Zimmerman was there before us on the stage
He made his way to the piano
One by one the Band began to play
When he laid his fingers down upon the keyboard
He opened up with Lay Lady Lay
Homesick Subterranean
Hard Rain Gonna Fall 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
Some old singers rest upon their laurels
Some old hoofers hang up their dancing shoes
But when Kings and Queens and Laureates came calling
Zimmerman still had lots of gigs to do
He’s up there now blowing hard upon his Hohner
Zozimus and Zimmerman were born to sing
Like two old buskers down at Puck Fair in Killorglin
Two old tanglers at the Fair of Spancilhill

More Info 

We’ve been attending Zimmerman gigs for over 40 years. We’ve been singing Zozimus songs even longer. Valerie and I have long since followed Bob whenever given the opportunity. Nights at the National Stadium, RDS, The Point, Vicar Street, Slane, Kilkenny, Finsbury Park come to mind, but best of all was that night in Slattery’s of Capel Street, Dublin when he got up and played with Myself and Wally. Disguised in his suit of Pearly King, no one recognized him nor realised the significance of the moment. He’s been on our case ever since. You can’t get too much of a good thing. Last time he busted his skull off a gable wall at the end of a top shelf stagger.

Zozimus – Michael J. Moran (c.1794-3 April 1846), popularly known as Zozimus, was an Irish street singer.from The Liberties. He wrote, among others: “Praise of Poitín”, “The Twangman”, “Finding of Moses”, “Pharoah’s Daughter”, “The Night Before Larry was Stretched”, “St. Patrick Was a Gentleman” (this list is neither precise nor complete). We await correction. Zimmerman, Song and Dance Man (still delivering the goods) “Whack Fol de Diddle”, “Ar Fol de Dol Doh”, “Toora Loora Loo”, and “Wid Me Toorim Minya” etc.

Myra’s Caboose

Christy Moore (Trad Arr.)

It being one evening of late as I strayed and I rambled through fields
Where oft times I wandered in haste and very quick speed
I was going to a wake where the rakes and factions do meet
There’ be drink and strong tea, hot cake and things that were sweet
O when the evening being freezing, indeed and it was very cold
With corns on my heels and my ankles ‘n cramps in my toes
I thought it no harm to warm me shanks by the fire
Thinking Myra and her daughter surely would me admire
O when the tea it came round in big geowls it was stuff very strong
When Myra said speak up or make us the verse of a song
Old Bill by the fire he was cursing and swearing with fright
For his gander was stolen and roasted last Saturday night
This Gander was graceful and gentle, both sturdy and strong
He never grew cold although he lived very long
His beak and his legs were as yellow as the gold that does shine
And his gob it would bore an inch board in a very short time
Well I’ve travelled Killarney, Kilgarvan, Kanturk and Kilmeague
Down around by Cork Harbour I was dealing in turkeys and geese
In all of my rambles and travels I never did see
O the likes of Bill’s gander for grandeur and Championship breed
The Boys and the Girls gathered at Myra’s Caboose
For they’d heard of the name and the fame of Bill and his goose
They’d measure this fine gander’s legs with a carpenter’s rule
And they never would leave ‘til they saw the length of his wings

More Info 

I arrived into Miltown Malbay, County Clare in the winter of 1964. It was there I met the Uilleann piper Willie Clancy. Seeing a guitar, Willie asked me did I know “Liverpool Lou”, a Dominic Behan song then riding high in the charts. I sang and Willie backed me beautifully on his legendary chanter. Sadly (or gladly) there was not a single smart phone in the house. Later in the night he sang this song which is known locally as “The Gander”. It has always remained with me and resurfaced in recent lockdown times. I always felt that Myra was overlooked in the narrative and decided to re-name the song. I imagine an old railway carriage repurposed as a trailer and parked in verdant forest. A rambling House where Myra and Bill were the most welcoming of hosts.

The Bord na Móna Man

Christy Moore

She spent seven days creating the World, the Sun the Moon and the Stars
The Plough, and the Milky Way, then Jupiter and Mars
Then She opened up her rib cage, pulled out a little man
She put him down near Timahoe, that’s where it all began
As to why she picked the Shortgrass God only knows
Life began for the Bord na Móna man without a stitch of clothes
Go forth says she and multiply God mam and I will begod
What better place to start the race then below in the Yellow Bog
Don’t you know he’ll never go
Once he gets his foot half in the door
He’s sound as a bell he’ll work like hell hire him if you can
‘clare to God you’ll never meet the beat of the Bórd na Móna man
At the edge of Tankard’s garden he built a lonely cell
Where he contemplated Limbo, then Purgatory and Hell
With the barbed wire in his Calvin Klein’s the poor man couldn’t sleep
All he had for company was jockey boys and sheep
When he’d converted Moorefield, Raheens and Ballitore
He set sail down the Grand Canal ‘til he came to Lullymore
Where he broke up the Bordellos and smashed the Poitín Stills
Began to bale the briquettes around the Sandy Hills
And don’t you know he’ll never go
Once he gets his foot half in the door
He’s sound as a bell he’ll work like hell hire him if you can
‘clare to God you’ll never meet the beat of the Bórd na Móna man
He opened up the Klondike, and he blazed the Yukon Trail
Crushed grapes in California before Columbus had set sail
He Drank tea on top of Everest before Hillary was born
Blindfold up the North Face, backstroke around the Horn
Way back in the 1960s when the world was facing ruin
The East and West were neck and neck to be first on the Moon
When the Yankee steered his module down on the moon to land
Who was there to hold the ladder but the Bord na Móna man
And don’t you know he’ll never go
Once he gets his foot half in the door
He’s sound as a bell he’ll work like hell hire him if you can
‘clare to God you’ll never meet the beat of the Bórd na Móna man

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What more can I say. Growing up we were surrounded by Turf; “cuttin it, footin it, clampin it together, bringing home the turf no matter what the weather” – Luka. Those great black sods would glow in the hearth all the year round, centre point of the Dowling household. Thousands came to harvest the black loam. It fuelled the nation, but like all good things it has (almost) come to an end. I still love to walk the bog.

Van Diemen’s Land

Christy Moore (Trad Arr.)

Me and three more went out one night into the Squire’s Park
We were hoping that we’d get some game the night it being dark
To our sad misfortune they captured us with speed
And they brought us down to Warwick jail it caused our hearts to bleed
Young Men all be aware
Lest you be drawn into a snare
Come Monday morning at the court we did appear
Like Job we stood with patience our sentence to hear
No jury, bail nor witness our case it did go hard
Our sentence was for fourteen years straight away being sent on board
The ship that bore us from the land the Speedwell was her name
For full five months and upwards we ploughed the ragin’ main
We saw no land nor harbour I tell you its no lie
All around us one Black Ocean above us one Blue Sky
About the Fifth of August its then that we made land
And at 5 o’clock next morning they tied us hand to hand
To see our fellow sufferance it filled me heart with woe
There’s some chained to the harrow and others to the plough
To see our fellow sufferance filled me with despair
They’d leather smocks and Lindsay shorts their feet and hands were bare
They tied them up two by two like horses in a dray
And the ganger he stood over them with his Malacca cane
There was a female servant there Rosanna was her name
For 16 years a convict from Wolverhampton came
She often told her tale of love when she was young at home
Now its rattling of her chains in a foreign land to roam
So come all of you young poaching lads and a warning take from me
Mark you well the story that I tell and guard your destiny
It’s all about transported lads as you must understand
The hardships we did undergo going to Van Diemen’s land

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I played Waterson’s Folk Club in Hull in 1968. Later, Mike Waterson sang this song for me. A unique and influential singer, Mike was a member of the Watersons. Their sound still reverberates around this poor old head. Verse 6 always gets me. Earlier verses describe miscarriages of justice, slavery, savage cruelty and terrible exploitation but the heart-breaking loneliness of Rosanna from Wolverhampton has kept me singing this song for over 50 years. I recorded it once before in the 1970s. There are many different versions of Van Diemen’s Land. One which has a Tipperary setting. I sometimes get to sing this song in the Góilín Singers Club. It lifts off when 80 singers join in the chorus and harmonise with gusto.

December 1942

Ricky Lynch

It’s freezing cold the snow comes down there’s ice on the barbed wire
Everything is ready right on time another train is due
Now it’s coming down the line it’s heading for the fire
Just another December day in 1942
The train is packed with dispossessed people from the ghetto
Treated worse than animals in some cruel filthy zoo
Terrorised and beaten starved into submission
So it was on that December day in 1942
The train came to a stop to unload its human cargo
Met be demons and by devils and their savage dogs
Curses blows and whips rain down on those exhausted people
But their deadly nightmare had only just begun
And they cried out to the Lord God Creator of the Universe
In our despair we call on you
But all their tears and all their prayers they went unanswered
On that God-forsaken December Day in 1942
Women men and children in that freezing winter twilight
Families torn in two by thugs with sticks and guns
Made to undress driven and naked to the slaughter
And then into the chamber they were forced to run
When the doors were locked and sealed no mercy and no pity
The word came down the line and the orders were carried through
Just another number to add to their statistics
On another God-forsaken day in 1942
And they cried out to the Lord God Creator of the Universe
In our despair we call on you
But all their tears and all their prayers they went unanswered
On that God-forsaken December Day in 1942

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I thank Ricky Lynch for sharing his song with me. It is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to sing it. I dedicate this recording to Tomi Reichental. Tomi’s lifelong dedication is an inspiration. For decades now he has been commemorating the six million Jews murdered by Nazi Fascists in the Holocaust of 1939-1945. Tomi’s life story is well described in his book I Was a Boy in Belsen (O’Brien Press). I recommend it. Ricky Lynch is an artist at the heart of the Cork music scene for many years. He sings, writes, paints and nurtures the live music scene in his native city

All I Remember

Mick Hanly

I was lured by the rockin horse, sweets and the búl-a-bos, 50 wild boys to a room
Sing lámh lámh eile the dish ran away with the spoon
Black shoes and stockings for those who say don’t Blue is the colour outside
God made the world, and the snake tempted Eve and she died
Wild Christian Brothers sharpening their leathers, learn it by heart that’s the rule
All I remember is dreading September and school
And they made me, for better or worse
The fool that I am or the wise man I’ll be
And they gave me their blessings and curse
It wasn’t their fault it was me, the one that you see
The priest in confession condemns my obsession with thoughts that I didn’t invite
I mumble and stutter he slams down the shutter, goodnight
Stainless as steel you know how I feel someone shoot me while my soul is clean
I don’t think I’ll last, my vow to abstain is obscene
Arch-Confraternity men to the fight raise up your banners on high
Searching for grace securing my place when I die
And they made me, for better or worse
The fool that I am or the wise man I’ll be
And they gave me their blessings and curse
It wasn’t their fault it was me, the one that you see
God kept a very close eye on me
All round my bed in the darkness he spied on me
Caught me in the long grass so often he died for me
Ballrooms of Romance in Salthill and Mallow I stood like John Wayne by the wall
Lined up like cattle we wait to do battle and fall
You can’t wine and dine her in an old Morris Minor but ask her before it’s too late
I danced on her toes, accepted rejection as my fate
Drink was my saviour it made me much braver but I couldn’t hold it too well
Threw up on the coach, it ruined my approach when I fell
And they made me, for better or worse
The fool that I am or the wise man I’ll be
And they gave me their blessings and curse
It wasn’t their fault it was me, the one that you see
God kept a very close eye on me
God He kept a very close eye on me
God She kept a very close eye on me

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Previously recorded with Moving Hearts in 1981, Mick Hanly’s opening verse brings me right back to my first day in infant school (Sept 1949). Sister Philomena sought to comfort us with Honey Bees. Sister Rose lurked in the background. Those Brides of Jesus were primed to prepare us for the 15 years of doctrine and programming that were to follow. Patrician Brothers and Dominican Priests continued the process, some with decency and kindness, others with violence and frustrated intolerance. Some of us slipped the net, others took the cloth, some lived on blissfully, a few unfortunates took the high jump or made for the river. Mick well describes elements of our early lives as we grew up in a culture that was tightly controlled by the power from Rome. Over the past 10 years Jim Higgins repeatedly called for this song at sound checks. It began to drift back into the set list. He remembers seeing the sleeve of the 1981 Moving Hearts single in his father’s record store (Music City, Shop St. Galway). And still they keep on ringing the bell.

Gasún

Tom Tuohy and Ciaran Connaughton

Gasún, Gasún why do you walk alone
Must be the strangest feeling
Gasún Gasún you don’t have no one
All has lost its meaning
As the apple falls from the orchard tree
We grow slow as time
Walk through all those golden fields
Through the barley wheat and the rye
And now you say to me
There must be a way
For all that time will bring
Is another day
Remember when we used to talk
Down by the old oak tree
Winter nights are colder now
It’s been so many years
And now you say to me
There must be a way
To find a home for you
A place for you to stay
O Gasún where are you
Lost like a bottle
Washed out across the sea
Soon to be forgotten
Ní neart go cur le chéile
Conaic mé solas san spéir
Ní neart go cur le chéile
Conaic mé solas san spéir

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This beautiful song was sent to me by Tom Tuohy. I recorded his “Honda 50” some years back. Two songs that illustrate the diversity of his writing. Tom has flown from the boglands of sweet Kildare and now resides with his family somewhere over on the European mainland. While Gasún is laden with the hopelessness and despair of homelessness, other elements appear in its short verses. I hope Tom continues to write and record. Every time I hear from him, his music has developed, his skills advanced, yet he remains a Bog Man to his very core. Ride on Tom Tuohy.

Flying into Mystery

Wally Page and Tony Boylan

Sixteen Fishermen raving out on the town on E
Sixteen peacocks leave their nest and go flying into mystery
They try to cut the Spanish look but they look so untidy
Don’t ask too much, you’ll never get enough when you’re flying into mystery
Flying into mystery when they should be out seafaring
Run out the jib and rig the boom, step back reality
When their ship is on the ocean their nights are so empty
They weary of the smelly fish and the wash of the salty sea
Sixteen jolly ravers each one carrying his own caul
They believe it will keep death away when they face the angry squall
Why face the angry squall when you could go Go-Go dancing
Run out the jib and rig the boom, step back reality
Yabba Dabba Da, Yabba Dabba Da, yat tie a rat tie a rat tie a rada
Yabba Dabba Da, Yabba Dabba Da, yat tie a rat tie a rat
To the Sixteen Fishermen raving O the girls look so fancy
You could ate your fry off the back of her neck if you want some more say please
When fishermen are feeling good they feel it musically
They go down singing shanties to the dance floor all at sea
To the dance floor all at sea go the Sixteen Fishermen raving
Run out the jib and rig the boom, step back reality
Flying into mystery when they should be out seafaring
Run out the jib and rig the boom, step back reality

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Previously recorded as “Sixteen Fishermen Raving” back in 2005, I first heard Wally sing this in The Cobblestone, Dublin in 1999. I played it in last year’s lockdown sessions and again at a streamed gig from Vicar St. Dublin. Since then the song has gained greater popularity and newfound interest. A different version 16 years later. My hairy ears seem to detect variations in the timbre of this ancient voice box. Perhaps this 76 year old instrument gains fresh intonation from the experience and the trauma of recent events. (Pseud’s Corner here we come). I still carry my own caul. Safely tucked in my breast pocket alongside a double-michelle-pfizervaccination-passport.

Greenland

Paul Doran

We filled the boats with what we hoped would last us for the journey
Silently we gathered on the shore
On us shone the midnight sun and everywhere around us
The land where we could stay no more
From the shelter of the bay out to the open water
Floating on a picture of the sky
Leaving what we knew not knowing what’s to come
One last look and then we said goodbye
To Greenland, Greenland
My soul is in the rock in the grass and on the air
It moves between the Caribou and the Puffin
Dives beneath the ice sheets with the Narwhale and the seal
Feels the hunger of the bear
Endless days, restless nights, stories from the past
Remembering the Mother of the Sea
In her tangled hair she holds the sins of Man
Every missing creature there would be
The harshness of the hunter’s life the struggle to survive
The frozen beauty of the land
The wandering spirit of Qivitoq who chose to live apart
Like a Man-Dog in the wild
We filled the boats with what we hoped would last us for the journey
Silently we gathered on the shore

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I’ve previously recorded two Paul Doran songs, “Natives” back in 1987 and “The Gardener” in 2016. I fell beneath the spell of Greenland when Paul shared it with me last year. It took months for me to find my way into this landscape. The melody stretches to the upper and lower limits of my vocal range but I was determined to sing Greenland. Not since “Lord Baker” have I been so transfixed by a song, ‘floating on a picture of the sky’. An extra pleasure to sing this song with my son Andy.