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
Traditional
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 COWBOY’S DREAM: A Cowboy Tune
A common theme in cowboy songs is the hope of heaven. This particular song is sung to a Scottish air virtually everyone is familiar with: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean. A very early (1935) and abbreviated recording of the song by The Sons of the Pioneers features Roy Rogers on vocals and yodel. It … Continue reading THE COWBOY’S DREAM: A Cowboy Tune
THE SPINNING WHEEL: An Irish Song
A traditional Irish tune. The rhythm of the words actually invokes the spin of the wheel, as the young girl tries to convince her grandmother there are no sounds from outside the window but those made by nature. There's a lovely version of the song by Catherine McKinnon with the Jubilee Singers here. THE SPINNING … Continue reading THE SPINNING WHEEL: 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
THE COLORADO TRAIL: A Cowboy Tune
Here's a wonderful cowboy song with one of most popular themes, the girl he left behind. There are several versions out there, some with more or different verses, but my favorite is this short and sweet one by the Norman Luboff Choir. You can listen to it here. THE COLORADO TRAIL Eyes like the morning … Continue reading THE COLORADO TRAIL: A Cowboy Tune
MAIDS WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG, NEVER WED AN OLD MAN: An Irish Song
A sassy little ditty with advice for unmarried women. Listen to a recording by The Dubliners here. Maids, When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man! An old man came courting me, hey ding dooram ay! An old man came courting me, me being young An old man came courting me, all for to marry … Continue reading MAIDS WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG, NEVER WED AN OLD MAN: 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
Gifford MacShane, Author 