ESCAPE TO IRELAND on a romantic adventure! It's your lucky day... In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, enjoy these romantic Irish tales! 15 books plus a collection of 6 individual stories are available now. Pick your favorites today! This promo ends Saturday March 25! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day all March! Immerse yourself into Irish … Continue reading 2 Special Promos for March: Irish & Ireland Books
Irish
EILEEN OG: An Irish Song
by Percy French (1854-1920) Every once in awhile, authors latch onto a word and it becomes so popular, you virtually can’t get away from it. Lately, one of those words is “petrichor”, meaning the earthy scent of rain that’s fallen on dry soil. Each time I see or hear it, though, it brings this song … Continue reading EILEEN OG: An Irish Song
THE MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE: An Irish Song
Written by Percy French in 1896, The Mountains of Mourne shows us a somewhat naive and gullible Irish lad who finds himself in London for the first time. It's a charming song, not without humor and self-deprecation. You can hear a version of it by Irish Mist here. MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE Oh, Mary, this London's … Continue reading THE MOUNTAINS OF MOURNE: An Irish Song
OLD SETTLER’S SONG: An American Folk Song
In the mid-19th century, the Gold Rush left many hopeful miners dispirited and penniless. Rumors abounded that the Pacific Northwest was ripe for the plucking, with rich, fertile soil for those willing to work it. Unfortunately, most of that soil was covered with timber, and years of work were needed before it would yield enough … Continue reading OLD SETTLER’S SONG: An American Folk Song
O’DONNELL ABU!: An Irish Song
One of the best of the rebel songs, O'Donnell Abu! was written by Michael Joseph McCann in 1843. "Abu!", as I understand it, is similar to "Hurrah!" I recognized this song on the bagpipes long before I knew the words (or even knew it had words!) I subsequently have asked many Irish singers for the … Continue reading O’DONNELL ABU!: An Irish Song
PADDY ON THE RAILWAY: An Irish Song
A crisp, easy-to sing tune about an Irishman who comes to the US to work on the railroads. So many Irish worked on the railway that, in the Eastern States in the 19th century, there was a popular saying: "an Irishman was buried under every tie." This song is actually very long, with at least … Continue reading PADDY ON THE RAILWAY: An Irish Song
JESSIE, THE FLOW’R OF DUNBLANE: An Irish Song
Though this song is of Scottish origin, it's been adopted into the Irish litany of music. I like it especially because the heroine of my novel WHISPERS IN THE CANYON is named Jesse. You can hear a lovely version by a harpist here. Jessie, The Flow'r Of Dunblane The sun has gone down o’er the … Continue reading JESSIE, THE FLOW’R OF DUNBLANE: An Irish Song
IF I WERE A BLACKBIRD: An Irish Song
Our song today comes with both male and female verses. Though they are often sung apart, the occasional duet is most beautiful. You can hear a version of it by Silly Wizard here. If I Were a Blackbird Begins with the man’s part: I am a young sailor, my story is sad For once I was … Continue reading IF I WERE A BLACKBIRD: An Irish Song
THE HILLS OF KERRY: An Irish Song
In keeping with the short story I published in response to the New West Writers prompt, I'm giving you today the complete words to The Hills of Kerry (aka The Green Hills of Kerry.) You can hear a lovely version by the Dublin City Ramblers here. THE HILLS OF KERRY The palm trees wave on … Continue reading THE HILLS OF KERRY: An Irish Song
THE WILD COLONIAL BOY: An Irish Song
Probably one of the most popular Irish songs, The Wild Colonial Boy tells the tale of a young man who leaves Ireland and becomes the Australian equivalent of Robin Hood. The song was featured in the movie “The Quiet Man”, and also in my Donovan family saga. My favorite version is by Dennis Day and … Continue reading THE WILD COLONIAL BOY: An Irish Song
Gifford MacShane, Author 