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.