the things you bump into in the irish music rabbit hole.

[mopinko]

so, 4 green fields is 'my song' i share a lot of points w the wise old woman. but yesterday i got the back story of the song. it's from the troubles, and the 4 green fields are the provinces at the time. ulster is the one in bondage.
i couldnt remember the one of the others, so i look it up. and i find this guy-

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/meet-the-last-king-of-ireland-living-off-donegal

the song-

[The Magistrate]

1. Here's Another For Your Collection, Ma'am

[mopinko]

2. ty sir. i'd come across this one, but had forgotten it.

this 'making a set list' thing is the most fun i've had w my clothes on since i dont remember.
the previews that popped up at the end suggest another branch of this rabbit hole.

chatting w the boss of the band this am on fb. he said he enjoys singing the old songs w a good singer. me- well, it's kind of you to sing w me.

[mopinko]

7. this thread got bumped,

i have been working on this song, but i was told not to do too many 'rebel songs', and esp not from the troubles. i was then asked to sing 4 green fields and grace, but..
i'm told even over there, no one sings those songs unless they want a bar fight, or a walk out.

i love this parody, and plan to learn it. thinkin it could be a mash-up.

[mactire]

3. Cheol agus craic - music and good times

I could suggest hundreds of songs to hear, especially since Irelands’ history is told so well in its music. The emotions run the gamut, from fun drinking songs, humourous and touching ones of romance, historical events, tributes to significant people, real and mythical, and so many with the theme of emigration. One of the most renowned in more recent years is “The Fields of Athenry” describing the plight of one trying to feed his family at the time of the ‘great hunger’. YouTube is a good source of various artists performing this beautiful sad song, and be sure to see the one of hundreds of folks gathered in the town of Athenry singing it together. It’s also chilling to hear the Irish fans singing it at a sporting event. Slainte

[mopinko]

4. most of what i know about irish history i learned by looking up the ppl in the songs.

i figure if no one wrote a song about it, and no one sings it now, it must not be important.
i tell that joke, and the irishmen all agree w me.

ty.

[Hekate]

5. Have you heard of Tommy Sands, the Irish songman and peacemaker?

His book is “Songman: A Journey in Irish Music.” His music will break your heart. His book will uplift you.

Until I took a musical journey to Ireland some years back, I thought “Tommy Sands” was an American pop singer from my high school years. But Tommy Sands of Ireland is someone else entirely, and our group spent an evening with him.

Here’s There Were Roses — a true story from 1974, about two young men he grew up with. The roses filled his parents’ garden, where friends and neighbors gathered for song and story.

Peace, mopinko. Peace, friend.

[mopinko]

6. ty. so many songs in this rabbit hole.

so lucky to live in the th province of chgo. finding a lot of folks to sing with!

ya know, i wouldnt be so bitter, but my older sibs were born into at least 50 1st degree relatives w/in a mile. i ended up in exile at the end of the commuter line. not that many stories came down, but none came to me.