Originally posted by Padraig
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The author being William Allingham (1824-1889) , the Bard of Ballyshannon - of English descent who worked most of his life in the Customs House there.
A contemporary and friend of the Rosettis and Tennyson.
He wrote a song or two, so seems valid to include him here, although I do not know of any of his songs being set to music (other than insufferably twee versions of the Airy Mountain)
Another verse from the Airy Mountain
And a song....Down along the rocky shore
Some make their home,
They live on crispy pancakes
Of yellow tide-foam;
Some in the reeds
Of the black mountain-lake,
With frogs for their watch-dogs,
All night awake.
O spirit of the Summertime!
Bring back the roses to the dells;
The swallow from her distant clime,
The honey-bee from drowsy cells.
Bring back the friendship of the sun;
The gilded evenings, calm and late,
When merry children homeward run,
And peeping stars bid lovers wait.
Bring back the singing; and the scent
Of meadowlands at dewy prime;—
Oh, bring again my heart's content,
Thou Spirit of the Summertime !Last edited by Globaltruth; 10-04-23, 10:34.Comment
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Thanks Global, I had forgotten that. Heaney includes him a poem about poets in a early book . . . ??Originally posted by Globaltruth View Post
I always remember one of his 'good' poems which puts me in mind of Wordsworth. Nobody ever agreed with me but I'll champion it yet. I believed it to be a scene he observed near Ballyshannon where I once wandered myself - goodness I nearly said 'lonely as a duck'
Four ducks on a pond
A grass bank beyond
A blue sky of Spring
White clouds on the wing.
What a little thing
To remember for years,
To remember with tears.Comment
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Here's a song commemorating the 1798 Rebellion (words supplied). I first heard it in 1962, though it must have been well known long before that. '62 was in the pre-Troubles period when things were bubbling and rebel songs were popular enough. This instrumental version originated in a small group of which I was a member -piano, guitar, bass and drums - and the arrangement was by our pianist. He later recorded it with his orchestra, almost note for note. I loved the tune and I still appreciate this gentle arrangement.
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Cheer up! It might never happen.
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An Bonnan Bui (The Yellow Bittern) Cathal Bui Mac Giolla Ghunn - 1680- 1756.
This is a Sean Nos song of that period. Heaney's familiar version of The Yellow Bittern, known through the collaborative CD with Liam O'Flynn The Poet and the Piper, is a translation of the words of the song. That might explain why it is 'uncollected' - a fact I had not noticed until now. It also clarifies the tone of the poem when it is recognised as a translation.
"Discussing the Irish Language curriculum at St.Columb's College . . SH mentions an anthology that was used as a text book, adding that in some cases 'the Irish was too difficult' but singling out An Bonnan Bui as one of the texts students 'were fit for'. The Translations of Seamus Heaney 2022
The song was chosen by SH on Desert Island Discs, sung by 'a namesake' Seosamh O Heanai. Here I have selected a newer Sean Nos singer - Pieras O Lorcain.
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Originally posted by Padraig View PostAn Bonnan Bui (The Yellow Bittern) Cathal Bui Mac Giolla Ghunn - 1680- 1756.
This is a Sean Nos song of that period. Heaney's familiar version of The Yellow Bittern, known through the collaborative CD with Liam O'Flynn The Poet and the Piper, is a translation of the words of the song. That might explain why it is 'uncollected' - a fact I had not noticed until now. It also clarifies the tone of the poem when it is recognised as a translation.
"Discussing the Irish Language curriculum at St.Columb's College . . SH mentions an anthology that was used as a text book, adding that in some cases 'the Irish was too difficult' but singling out An Bonnan Bui as one of the texts students 'were fit for'. The Translations of Seamus Heaney 2022
The song was chosen by SH on Desert Island Discs, sung by 'a namesake' Seosamh O Heanai. Here I have selected a newer Sean Nos singer - Pieras O Lorcain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amA48rKIVJA
Late News: Johnny Fean of Horslips 28 April 2003 RIP
Their Irish roots were visible.
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Anyone going to this?
Quite the double bill...
Cormac Begley - O'Neill's March - thanks for posting Padraig. At times I thought the feller had smuggled a didgeridoo in as well. Prodigious performance.Last edited by Globaltruth; 30-04-23, 15:02.Comment
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Talking of Cormacs, GT, from the look of the photo I assume it's a different Cormac McCarthy from the chap who wrote 'All the Pretty Horses'. Regarding Cormac Begley and horses, I saw him with Lisa back in February in the beautiful Mackintosh Church in Glasgow during Celtic Connections, and he was terrific. Here they are together doing Dylan's 'All the Tired Horses'...reaches right in to my core.Originally posted by Globaltruth View PostAnyone going to this?
Quite the double bill...
Cormac Begley - O'Neill's March - thanks for posting Padraig. At times I thought the feller had smuggled a didgeridoo in as well. Prodigious performance.
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That is stunning. I didn't know they performed togetherOriginally posted by johncorrigan View PostComment
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He's on this one with her too, GT. Another of those great Myles O'Reilly films...Originally posted by Globaltruth View Post
It reminds me of 'Little Naomi Wise' by Idy Harper and Coon Creek Girls but with a different outcome.
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Lisa O'Neill ~ 'Old Note' from the album 'All Of This Is Chance'.
Haunting and mesmerising.
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When you don't know what to do, don't worry just get up and dance, or if you can't dance - watch!
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Originally posted by Padraig View PostWhen you don't know what to do, don't worry just get up and dance, or if you can't dance - watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6vm1Rn3PlY Delight, Padraig, and not a black-and-blue shin in sight. 
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Sean Keane, the quiet man of the Chieftans, has died. At least, that's my lasting memory of him - a tall handsome man somewhere in the middle of the group doing his job of concentrating on playing the fiddle. It was with great sadness that I just found this video; it must have been one of the last appearances he made, on the occasion of Joe Biden's visit to Ireland - you can see the helicopter bearing the President away. His old friend and fellow Chieftan Matt Molloy is there too, both leaving the limelight to others and getting their heads down to the job in hand. I have included the Irish Times obit plus the video above, and another video with Sean, mainly on his own demonstrating his virtuosity.
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