Hi Christy and Kevin, quite few more birds in the air….dead or live…
“Two island swans mated for life”
“She’s as white as any lily and as gentle as a dove”
“If I had the wings of a swallow I’d fly far over the sea”
“If I had the wings of an eagle over those prison walls I would fly”
“For his gander was stolen and roasted
last Saturday night
This Gander was graceful and gentle,
both sturdy and strong”
“Down around by Cork Harbour I was
dealing in turkeys and geese”
“All he wanted was the lights of the bar
the nightingale and the wild rover”
“The birds in the burrows and the rabbits
in the sky and there’s drunkards everywhere”
“Sixteen peacocks leave their nest and go flying into mystery”
tbc
Enjoy the last gig in the HQ for this season!
I hope it won’t tke too long til I can make it over again…
Birgit
Christy's reply
“come all you ornithologists and listen to my song
its only forty verses, I wont detain you long
it concerns a Singing Bird I heard the other
of the Feathered Species .what more can I say” ( Matty Mulchin)
“I think I hear the Morning Cock, I think I hear the Jay”
“With cudgels stout We’d roam about in search of the dreólín
We’d search for birds through every furze from Litir to Dooneen.
We’d leap for joy beneath the sky, as through the fields We’d run
When the Boys of Barr na Sráide went hunting for the wren”
One of my favourites
There is no lonesome corncrake’s cry of sorrow or delight
But you can hear the cars and the shouts from bars, the laughter and the fights.
Haven’t heard Christy sing it so maybe it doesn’t count?
The guestbook is hopping….
We have left the snow covered hills of the O Donnell County ….. on through the O Neill , the Farney , onto the Royal and the Wee County…. the Black Lagoon beckons and soon we will look towards Vicar St… the final night of the Christmas/New Year run. The anticipation builds with every mile.
Great post KM, not forgetting the Corncrake that it is rumoured that Bono said had to go in North and South !! The last round up at HQ tonight, thanks Christy and crew and staff there for a mighty run, some great stand out performances, the tributes to Shane, the reception for Snowflake, the hush for Black and Amber & Lyra, the return of Missing You, the random shout outs, and the everlasting joy of the ball stuck in the net, the stand up recitations with accompanying actions !!! Safe travelling all. Shine On CM. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Its been a great series of gatherings….
and yourself there for every song…
into winter quarters now for a few weeks,
we’ll darn the socks, tighten the shocks, rinse the jox
freshen the repertoire, keep doin the pressups and before we know it,
the wagons will be rolling again
thanks for all your support, …and prompts… and the help you give to others
Hi Christy, here is something I found interesting that some here might too. It reminded me of the songs in your repertoire that reference birds. Seán Ronayne is an Ornithologist on a mission to record every bird species in Ireland. He was interviewed on the Tommy Tiernan show recently. Here is a clip of him at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am2h0n7XS9E
A quick memory jog…many more no doubt:
“Lightning,Bird,Wind,River, Man..”
“This is the day the cuckoo likes..”
“Like the trembling heart of a captive bird..”
“The hawks against the doves…”
“Every bird upon my word is singing..”
“With the birds I’ll sing a song”
“And the cuckoo is a wonderful bird..”
“The hawks of morning cannot reach you here”
“The small birds are singing in the trees..”
“There were magic nights in the lobby bar when Ger Wolfe would sing like a lark”
Kev
Christy's reply
“listen to the distant Corncrake, hear the Lark and the Curlew sing”
“The Robin is a friend of his”
“Scallcrows, yiz are only Scallcrows”
” we both sat down together to hear the Nightingale sing”
” a China rat , a Bengal Cat and a Bombay Cockatoo”
“The Mavis sang so shrill”
“The Yellow Bittern of the long smooth neck”
and probably a few more to shake from memories bush
Ok landed safely in Dub, all grand. Next stop, Vicar St!
Christy, Ned Farrell’s young fella Barry didn’t make it, he is not well. But he asked me to give a hup and raise a glass for him.
Now all I have to do is wallow in the unbelievable atmosphere of what did you call it, a 58 year fleadh!
Oh yes, in case I forget later, it was a great night, powerful atmosphere, you were in fine form altogether, thank you for such a magic moment!
I’ve tracked down a replacement copy of Dave Lordan’s Lost Tribe of the Wicklow mountains. The original was either stolen or hidden by the fairies. I’m expecting it to turn up now another copy is flying across the Internet. Didn’t manage to find it in a bookshop. But I did get to explore some book filled aladdins caves in the search. I love a good bookshop!
Went to the EPIC museum yesterday for the Pogues exhibition and the museum of emigration. Steve found it pretty harrowing. I’ve spent some time trying to understand Irish history, so it wasn’t a shock to me. The pogues exhibition is still being set up. The curator Niall Stokes was there and must have been feeling chatty. Talked with him for a bit.
The parking here is a bit of a challenge. One parking ticket and one frayed husband later, we’re paying 45 euros per day. The parking ticket is cheaper.
Back to the bosom of the harp, its waiting for me in the living room here.
Moving song..I like your comments re Gordon Lightfoot
Well Christy: NFG (No Flamin’ Good) from yer 3 Hail Marys…maybe one of us has been rubbing um er shoulders with some of The Ladies of Perpetual Indulgence at some stage…
Not to worry..jackpotted to $120 mill I believe…fingers crossed (arthritis permitting)
I’ve never seen one post whinging about a dud show from you – I know it’s not booking.com but it’s a grand testament to your preparation & performance to be so well received
May many songs on strings have golden wings Christy -,give ‘em your soul & they’ll nurture it
Danny Harris: blaming the Pope for everything
Christy's reply
“When the poor auld pope came to Ireland
way back in that holy time
Bishop Casey and Father Cleary
served the mass and poured the wine
two jockey boys they’d ride for Ireland
preaching us morality
shure god love them they’re only human
Annie Murphy might not agree”
an additional verse added to the song “Casey ” by the late songwriter, poet and activist Martin Egan…this verse was added with the blessing of the author…
Hi Christy,
A highlight of 2023 for my wife and I was seeing you at Bundoran on 26 September. Thank you for a memorable night. We first became aware of you when hitching around Ireland in 1976. We returned to Australia with a Planxty vinyl. One song of which in particular appealed to me, namely the Cliffs of Dooneen. So, on this trip to Ireland, on the way to Bundoran, I felt I had to see the Cliffs of Dooneen. I assured my wife it would be worth it. Bearing in mind from phrases in the song, namely “of all the fine places that I’ve ever seen there’s nothing to compare with The Cliffs of Dooneen”, and “the high rocky slopes at The Cliffs of Dooneen”, I have this picture in my mind that they rivalled the Cliffs of Mohr. So, driving on the backroads to Beale, the first enquiry from a local drew a blank, “never heard of them”. The next, a lady in a farm, explained that if you went to the strand and looked left you would see a slight rise from the high-water mark. This was them. She explained that a local lad had written the song, and may have used some emotional poetic licence in the wording! Thanks for the music. Ever thought of visiting Australia? Stephen & Anne
Christy's reply
Stephen & Anne..
I had a similar experience back in 1984…..I’ve loved the irony ever since….each time I sing Jack McAuliffe’s song my mind returns to scale the mighty Cliffs of Dooneen….Kerry behind me, Clare before me, the broad majestic Shannon in between…
“a grand place to be on a fine Summers Day”
Yes… I made 6 trips up to Australian back in the 80’s and 90’s…loved it…Woolongong, Warnambul, Wooloomaloo, Cudgee, Mudgee and Vinegar Hill
” where the rain never falls on The Dusty Diamandtina”
Two of us heading over from Glasgow tonight for Friday’s gig at Vicar Street. After many wonderful nights at the Barras (beneath the carousel of healing), this is our first in Ireland. Meeting up with our dear family (Dubs now in Kildare Town at the Curragh), who first tuned us into your music many years ago. Your songs have punctuated our lives in special ways ever since.
If there was any way that ‘Motherland’ found its way into your thoughts for Friday, it is a special one. As is ‘So Do I’. They all are, really.
Very excited for the gig and to see how Vicar Street compares to its sister church on Gallowgate.
Hello Christy,
Loving Dublin. Yesterday we went to the Bar Rua. It has the same menu as the Oslo bar in Salthill. My first porn star martini. Hell, it was like drinking sweeties. Vanilla vodka, pineapple juice, lime juice, pomegranate and prosecco. If it was pink, Barbi would drink it. It was gorgeous. Took me back to when I was 10, eating chips and bits and drinking lilt after going swimming on a Saturday morning. Lilt was the thing in those days…
I’m having great dreams in Dublin. Last night I was trying to get to the knicker sale in Marks and spencers but ended up on a 50 hour bus ride round a load of villages. It was one long Beltane fair, full of green woods and joyous shenanigans.
Hoping we’ll get to the pogues exhibition at the Epic Museum today.
Also hoping your Easter Snow benediction works and Pat gets his plane safely.
Francis St is a good place to stay. It’s quiet at night!
I’ll go back to laying here and listening to the voices in the street below now.
Murmuration! Thankyou 🦢🐦⬛🦜
Hi Christy and Kevin, quite few more birds in the air….dead or live…
“Two island swans mated for life”
“She’s as white as any lily and as gentle as a dove”
“If I had the wings of a swallow I’d fly far over the sea”
“If I had the wings of an eagle over those prison walls I would fly”
“For his gander was stolen and roasted
last Saturday night
This Gander was graceful and gentle,
both sturdy and strong”
“Down around by Cork Harbour I was
dealing in turkeys and geese”
“All he wanted was the lights of the bar
the nightingale and the wild rover”
“The birds in the burrows and the rabbits
in the sky and there’s drunkards everywhere”
“Sixteen peacocks leave their nest and go flying into mystery”
tbc
Enjoy the last gig in the HQ for this season!
I hope it won’t tke too long til I can make it over again…
Birgit
“come all you ornithologists and listen to my song
its only forty verses, I wont detain you long
it concerns a Singing Bird I heard the other
of the Feathered Species .what more can I say” ( Matty Mulchin)
A right flocking menagerie in the lyrical aviary!
A murmuration might be the prettiest
Or how about
Flock, murder or gaggle?
From the lovely Michael Considine
The cock he crew in the morning he crew both loud and shrill
An aviary?
Two of the finest!
“I think I hear the Morning Cock, I think I hear the Jay”
“With cudgels stout We’d roam about in search of the dreólín
We’d search for birds through every furze from Litir to Dooneen.
We’d leap for joy beneath the sky, as through the fields We’d run
When the Boys of Barr na Sráide went hunting for the wren”
we need to gather them into a 4711er murmuration
One of my favourites
There is no lonesome corncrake’s cry of sorrow or delight
But you can hear the cars and the shouts from bars, the laughter and the fights.
Haven’t heard Christy sing it so maybe it doesn’t count?
off side
The guestbook is hopping….
We have left the snow covered hills of the O Donnell County ….. on through the O Neill , the Farney , onto the Royal and the Wee County…. the Black Lagoon beckons and soon we will look towards Vicar St… the final night of the Christmas/New Year run. The anticipation builds with every mile.
Hey Kev…. Two Island Swans
Mated for Life
Great post KM, not forgetting the Corncrake that it is rumoured that Bono said had to go in North and South !! The last round up at HQ tonight, thanks Christy and crew and staff there for a mighty run, some great stand out performances, the tributes to Shane, the reception for Snowflake, the hush for Black and Amber & Lyra, the return of Missing You, the random shout outs, and the everlasting joy of the ball stuck in the net, the stand up recitations with accompanying actions !!! Safe travelling all. Shine On CM. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Its been a great series of gatherings….
and yourself there for every song…
into winter quarters now for a few weeks,
we’ll darn the socks, tighten the shocks, rinse the jox
freshen the repertoire, keep doin the pressups and before we know it,
the wagons will be rolling again
thanks for all your support, …and prompts… and the help you give to others
Hi Christy, here is something I found interesting that some here might too. It reminded me of the songs in your repertoire that reference birds. Seán Ronayne is an Ornithologist on a mission to record every bird species in Ireland. He was interviewed on the Tommy Tiernan show recently. Here is a clip of him at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am2h0n7XS9E
A quick memory jog…many more no doubt:
“Lightning,Bird,Wind,River, Man..”
“This is the day the cuckoo likes..”
“Like the trembling heart of a captive bird..”
“The hawks against the doves…”
“Every bird upon my word is singing..”
“With the birds I’ll sing a song”
“And the cuckoo is a wonderful bird..”
“The hawks of morning cannot reach you here”
“The small birds are singing in the trees..”
“There were magic nights in the lobby bar when Ger Wolfe would sing like a lark”
Kev
“listen to the distant Corncrake, hear the Lark and the Curlew sing”
“The Robin is a friend of his”
“Scallcrows, yiz are only Scallcrows”
” we both sat down together to hear the Nightingale sing”
” a China rat , a Bengal Cat and a Bombay Cockatoo”
“The Mavis sang so shrill”
“The Yellow Bittern of the long smooth neck”
and probably a few more to shake from memories bush
the new hat is keeping the bald head well covered
Ok landed safely in Dub, all grand. Next stop, Vicar St!
Christy, Ned Farrell’s young fella Barry didn’t make it, he is not well. But he asked me to give a hup and raise a glass for him.
Now all I have to do is wallow in the unbelievable atmosphere of what did you call it, a 58 year fleadh!
Oh yes, in case I forget later, it was a great night, powerful atmosphere, you were in fine form altogether, thank you for such a magic moment!
der grossen welkommen
I’ve tracked down a replacement copy of Dave Lordan’s Lost Tribe of the Wicklow mountains. The original was either stolen or hidden by the fairies. I’m expecting it to turn up now another copy is flying across the Internet. Didn’t manage to find it in a bookshop. But I did get to explore some book filled aladdins caves in the search. I love a good bookshop!
Hello Christy,
My last video from Tuesday night.
https://youtu.be/ILYitbN_PEs?si=vSVDkCSmo9trBfCq
Hope the people of the guestbook enjoy it.
Went to the EPIC museum yesterday for the Pogues exhibition and the museum of emigration. Steve found it pretty harrowing. I’ve spent some time trying to understand Irish history, so it wasn’t a shock to me. The pogues exhibition is still being set up. The curator Niall Stokes was there and must have been feeling chatty. Talked with him for a bit.
The parking here is a bit of a challenge. One parking ticket and one frayed husband later, we’re paying 45 euros per day. The parking ticket is cheaper.
Back to the bosom of the harp, its waiting for me in the living room here.
Rebecca
Moving song..I like your comments re Gordon Lightfoot
Well Christy: NFG (No Flamin’ Good) from yer 3 Hail Marys…maybe one of us has been rubbing um er shoulders with some of The Ladies of Perpetual Indulgence at some stage…
Not to worry..jackpotted to $120 mill I believe…fingers crossed (arthritis permitting)
I’ve never seen one post whinging about a dud show from you – I know it’s not booking.com but it’s a grand testament to your preparation & performance to be so well received
May many songs on strings have golden wings Christy -,give ‘em your soul & they’ll nurture it
Danny Harris: blaming the Pope for everything
“When the poor auld pope came to Ireland
way back in that holy time
Bishop Casey and Father Cleary
served the mass and poured the wine
two jockey boys they’d ride for Ireland
preaching us morality
shure god love them they’re only human
Annie Murphy might not agree”
an additional verse added to the song “Casey ” by the late songwriter, poet and activist Martin Egan…this verse was added with the blessing of the author…
Martin remains a dearly missed friend to many
Hi Christy,
A highlight of 2023 for my wife and I was seeing you at Bundoran on 26 September. Thank you for a memorable night. We first became aware of you when hitching around Ireland in 1976. We returned to Australia with a Planxty vinyl. One song of which in particular appealed to me, namely the Cliffs of Dooneen. So, on this trip to Ireland, on the way to Bundoran, I felt I had to see the Cliffs of Dooneen. I assured my wife it would be worth it. Bearing in mind from phrases in the song, namely “of all the fine places that I’ve ever seen there’s nothing to compare with The Cliffs of Dooneen”, and “the high rocky slopes at The Cliffs of Dooneen”, I have this picture in my mind that they rivalled the Cliffs of Mohr. So, driving on the backroads to Beale, the first enquiry from a local drew a blank, “never heard of them”. The next, a lady in a farm, explained that if you went to the strand and looked left you would see a slight rise from the high-water mark. This was them. She explained that a local lad had written the song, and may have used some emotional poetic licence in the wording! Thanks for the music. Ever thought of visiting Australia? Stephen & Anne
Stephen & Anne..
I had a similar experience back in 1984…..I’ve loved the irony ever since….each time I sing Jack McAuliffe’s song my mind returns to scale the mighty Cliffs of Dooneen….Kerry behind me, Clare before me, the broad majestic Shannon in between…
“a grand place to be on a fine Summers Day”
Yes… I made 6 trips up to Australian back in the 80’s and 90’s…loved it…Woolongong, Warnambul, Wooloomaloo, Cudgee, Mudgee and Vinegar Hill
” where the rain never falls on The Dusty Diamandtina”
Hi Christy.
Two of us heading over from Glasgow tonight for Friday’s gig at Vicar Street. After many wonderful nights at the Barras (beneath the carousel of healing), this is our first in Ireland. Meeting up with our dear family (Dubs now in Kildare Town at the Curragh), who first tuned us into your music many years ago. Your songs have punctuated our lives in special ways ever since.
If there was any way that ‘Motherland’ found its way into your thoughts for Friday, it is a special one. As is ‘So Do I’. They all are, really.
Very excited for the gig and to see how Vicar Street compares to its sister church on Gallowgate.
Thanks for the music.
Adam
Motherland in Donnolly’s Hollow
Come All You Dreamers
Sorry, I meant to post this in my last post. A gem from Tuesday night
https://youtu.be/7fSXKFTXL6E?si=v9Q8ZFMPf0K6uSPT
There were curious combinations at the Fair of Spancilhill
Hello Christy,
Loving Dublin. Yesterday we went to the Bar Rua. It has the same menu as the Oslo bar in Salthill. My first porn star martini. Hell, it was like drinking sweeties. Vanilla vodka, pineapple juice, lime juice, pomegranate and prosecco. If it was pink, Barbi would drink it. It was gorgeous. Took me back to when I was 10, eating chips and bits and drinking lilt after going swimming on a Saturday morning. Lilt was the thing in those days…
I’m having great dreams in Dublin. Last night I was trying to get to the knicker sale in Marks and spencers but ended up on a 50 hour bus ride round a load of villages. It was one long Beltane fair, full of green woods and joyous shenanigans.
Hoping we’ll get to the pogues exhibition at the Epic Museum today.
Also hoping your Easter Snow benediction works and Pat gets his plane safely.
Francis St is a good place to stay. It’s quiet at night!
I’ll go back to laying here and listening to the voices in the street below now.
Rebecca
Great night and an easy trip up the road. Thank god the weather wasn’t like it is tonight.
One of the lads was speaking about the Ballad of Ruby Walsh on the way down and was delighted to hear it as we weren’t expecting it at all.