Irish Fridays

[johncorrigan]

Here is a poem for Irish Friday. It could have been a song - it's in Jig time.
A little ballad with crafty rhyme and rhythm.

Juniper Hill

Anonymous, 1940
from Ulster's Other Poetry, John Wyse Jackson and Hector McDonnell, The Lilliput Press 2009.

Thank you, Padraig. I had an old Glasgow buddy, now in Frankfurt, who lived in the Portrush/ Portstewart area for a few years in the eighties; so I sent him 'Juniper Hill', and he replied saying that it had brought back fond memories of a fine time spent there.

[johncorrigan]

On BBC Radio 4 extra this afternoon, Scotland's national treasure Karine Polwart takes listeners through the history and meanings of 'The Parting Glass' in Soul Music from four years ago.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000y6n2?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

https://youtu.be/INI5nUs75nY?si=kwTKk8fsv-GLc_bZ

[Padraig]

Late again. He would be late for his own funeral, as they laughingly say. And, The Parting Glass is a funeral song I was late for last week John, though I'm in time for this week's requiem.
To be honest though, I seem to have attended numerous funerals recently of people I knew, and I heard this hymn, which I should have known well, but it only rang a bell. (Should that be 'tolled'?)
I include a translation and quite a lovely rendition of the tune, with piano accompaniment.

Ag Críost an Síol - Wikipedia

Ag Criost An Siol - Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill - YouTube

[Globaltruth]

Late again. He would be late for his own funeral, as they laughingly say. And, The Parting Glass is a funeral song I was late for last week John, though I'm in time for this week's requiem.
To be honest though, I seem to have attended numerous funerals recently of people I knew, and I heard this hymn, which I should have known well, but it only rang a bell. (Should that be 'tolled'?)
I include a translation and quite a lovely rendition of the tune, with piano accompaniment.

Ag Críost an Síol - Wikipedia

Ag Criost An Siol - Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill - YouTube

Me too Padraig, me too. My recent "favourite" was an old pal of mine, a police surgeon. Although to describe him by his occupation is indeed insufficient.

As the hearse drew up, there was a full ceremonial police guard (on their own time), they lowered their flag and... a steel drum band struck up.

After the ceremony it was off to his favourite curry place. More steel band.

And a finale of many more fireworks than were necessary.

That sums him up - oh, and he was insistent no one wore black.

Way to go Doc., way to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvlXGq94A5A

[Padraig]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvlXGq94A5A

Well stone the crows! Global - Danny Boy a funeral song, or a love song, or just a song for singing. The Irish are good at that.

I was looking at the newly published - The European Song Book - (see Platform 3 The Refreshment Room for some details) and I saw that last week's Ag Criost an Siol - Please give methe 'trick' aquestion ... sign-in form. above - was one of the six songs they voted for.

The other five were: The Fields of Athenry;Grace; Whiskey in the Jar; Song for Ireland; I'll Tell My Ma.

[johncorrigan]

Occasionally I listen in to Radio 4's 'Add to Playlist'. Thus it was this evening and I enjoyed hearing Mary Bergin being put forward by American folk musician, Sam Amidon, and in particular 'Ríl Gan Ainm / Ah Surely / The Union Reel'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSYq2NY-9UI

Happy Irish Fiday.

[Padraig]

I'll take a chance on something different, but as Irish as Get Out - The Irish Showbands.
I have just heard of the passing of Dickie Rock - a stalwart of the top of the range The Miami Showband.
The end of an era - not my era exactly, I'm too old.


Irish singer Dickie Rock dies aged 88 - BBC News background info


Dickie Rock & The Miami Showband - Rock'n Roll Music - YouTube 1965

ps global 'his soul was' should be 'may his soul be' but you knew that.

[johncorrigan]

I heard this on Radcliffe's Christmas Fireside folk show on Wednesday - The Sixteen/Harry Christophers singing 'Twas Pretty to be in Ballinderry' from the songs of Charles Villiers Stanford...sounded kinda Christmassy for an Irish Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOAdxlQg1XI
Nollaig Chridheil to all.

[Globaltruth]

no dancers or musicians were harmed in the making of this video. (hopefully)

https://youtu.be/goZ-rvaGz_Q?si=jhVhveI__2QdC10e

[Padraig]

Catching up on recent posts - Mary Bergin, 29/11; Balinderry song,20/12; Jenny's Chickens, 10/01/25.

Great stuff J and G. Loved Mary Bergin and the Reel with No Name. Jenny's Chickens all song and dance and Monty Python. The main dangers to participants were those big hard shoes the girls wore. Brilliant.
The Balinderry song for Christmas caused me to rack my brains to remember when I was teaching and this young lady was embarking on a career in the local folk scene. Here she is, Gemma Hasson, and her version of Balinderry. I think she made some progress and I thought she had the right idea, but I had no hand in her development.

'Tis pretty to be in Ballinderry / Ballinderry

to be in balinderry gemma hassan - YouTube