A popular ditty with cowboys, this old tune has borrowed from both Irish and American traditions. If some of it sounds familiar, the line “Her parents don't like me, they say I'm too poor” was borrowed by Peter, Paul & Mary for “Pretty Mary”; the lines “I'll eats when I'm hungry” and “them that don't … Continue reading JACK O’ DIAMONDS: A Cowboy Tune
MUSIC
RORY O’MORE: An Irish Song
One of my favorites! This traditional song is a perfect rendition of the pull-and-tug between a courting couple: a man who's madly in love, and a woman who's trying to 'play it cool'. You can find a version of it by the inimitable Wolfe Tones here. RORY O'MORE Young Rory O'More courted Kathleen bawn. … Continue reading RORY O’MORE: 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
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
WAYFARIN’ STRANGER: An American Folk Song
This song's roots are open to discussion. Some say it dates from the 18th century, some say the 19th; some credit it to North Carolina, some the Appalachians in general, while still others believe it was originally an African-American spiritual. Regardless of who's right (or close to right), it's a beautiful song, and there's a … Continue reading WAYFARIN’ STRANGER: An American Folk Song
I’LL TELL MY MA: An Irish Song
A happy little ditty about courtin'. There's some discussion between the cities as to whether this song belongs to Dublin or Belfast. Though known as a drinking song today, it was originally a playground chant for children, accompanied by a game that was a cross between tag and “Ring Around the Rosie”. Suffice it to … Continue reading I’LL TELL MY MA: An Irish Song
SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE: An American Folk Song
This traditional American folk song about the California Gold Rush of the 1850s is sung to the tune of “On Top of Old Smokey”, which in turn may date from the 17th century. The refrain after each verse is probably a bastardization of the original Gaelic words. I learned this song as a child from … Continue reading SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE: An American Folk Song
THE VALLEY OF KNOCKANURE: An Irish Song
Stemming from an incident in Gortagleanna during the War of Independence (1921), there are several versions of this song extant. These lyrics are based on a poem by Bryan MacMahon, which in turn is based on oral histories and older poems, some of which are lost today. A haunting version of this song is presented … Continue reading THE VALLEY OF KNOCKANURE: An Irish Song
At the Intersection of Music and Writing
It occurred to me the other day that the people who propound THE RULES OF WRITING are much more vocal than those of us who do not. Since I was listening to a John McCormack CD at the time (it's almost Paddy's Day, you know, and I'm learning two new songs), I wondered how those … Continue reading At the Intersection of Music and Writing
OFT IN THE STILLY NIGHT: An Irish Song
This poem, written in the early 19th century by Irishman Thomas Moore, was set to music by Scottish composer Sir John Stevenson. It was perhaps most famously played at the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002. I also feature it in my manuscript WHISPERS IN THE CANYON, as the favorite song of Katie Donovan, the clan … Continue reading OFT IN THE STILLY NIGHT: An Irish Song
Gifford MacShane, Author 