Distant Shore
(Billy Bragg)
Everyone knows that there’s no place like home
I’m just seeking refuge in a world full of storms
Washed up on a distant shore, can’t go home anymore

The natives are hostile whatever I say
The thing they fear most is I might want to stay
By their side on a different shore, can’t go home anymore

I escape my tormentors by crossing the sea
What I cannot escape is the memory
Washed up on a distant shore, can’t go home anymore

Everyone knows that there’s no place like home
I’m just seeking refuge in a world full of storms
Washed up on a distant shore, can’t go home anymore
Washed up on a distant shore, can’t go home anymore
Washed up on a distant shore, can’t go home anymore

Robbie Overson – Rickenbacker 12-String
Ewen Vernal – Electric Bass
James Mackintosh – Drums, Percussion
Donald Shaw – Accordion, Piano, Keyboard
James Grant – Acoustic Guitar
Michael McGoldrick – Low Whistle

top

Another Day

(Tim O Brien and Darell Scott)

This world is made from sweat and toil
Pushing muscle and elbow oil
We can’t lie too long in the shade
Because everyday must be remade

Some days we fall some days we fly
In the end we all must die
Our rotten flesh and broken bones
Will feed the ground that we call home
Will feed the ground that we call home

A new sprout grows from a fallen tree
This song will go on after me
So lift your heart and dry your eyes
It’s another day to live and die
It’s another day to live and die

Now I’ve run naked in the wild
Seen the beauty of a new born child
Like the alchemists of old
I’ve tried to spin my straw to gold

Most times a giver some times a thief
So full of hope but prone to grief
Between freedom and despair
I know the truth is lying there
I know the truth is lying there

A new sprout grows from a fallen tree
This song will go on after me
So lift your heart and dry your eyes
It’s another day to live and die
It’s another day to live and die

Go on now don’t you worry about me
You’ve miles to go and a world to see
My life’s been long and full and good
I’ve run this race the best I could

It’s a short time here and a long apart
The same song rings in both our hearts
So take this guitar when I’m gone
Write your rhymes and pass it on

A new sprout grows from a fallen tree
This song will go on after me
So lift your heart and dry your eyes
It’s another day to live and die
It’s another day to live and die

Dirk Powell – Banjo
Paul Meehan – Bouzouki
Tim O’Brien – Backing Vocals
Ewen Vernal – Double Bass
James Mackintosh – Drums
Donald Shaw – Accordion, Wurlitzer
Dezi Donnelly – Fiddle
Niall Vallely – Concertina
Cillian Vallely – Low Whistle

top

Song of Lies

(John Spillane/Louis dePaor)

And her mouth was as red
As the fresh fallen snow
The day she told me again
How another man’s love
Was as white as a raven’s
While mine was blacker than blood
How another man’s love
Was as white as a raven’s
While mine was blacker than blood

And I asked if she knew for sure
That the rain in her eyes
Would never run dry
Till the flames of the sun
Ran like ice in her veins
And froze the door to her heart
Till the flames of the sun
Ran like ice in her veins
And froze the door to her heart

And she told me the last time
As if for the first time
If the world turns away from the sun
Then nothing and never
Will always be true
And that she would forever be mine
Then nothing and never
Will always be true
And that she would forever be mine

And I swear that the sun
In her eyes turned to stone
Her dress was as white as the moon
The priest told me nothing
And no one was true
And that she would forever be mine
The priest told me nothing
And no one was true
And that she would forever be mine

Oh the blackened sole
Of her small bright shoe
Has left it’s mark
In the long white hall
Of my heart

Donald Shaw – Piano
Dezi Donnelly – Fiddle

top

The Curra Road

(Ger Wolfe)

In the summer we’ll go walking
Way down to the river down the Curra road
There’s a blue sky we’ll walk under
Listen to the humming bees and on we’ll go
We won’t worry about the traffic
Worry about the way to go
Worry about the phone
In the summer we’ll go walking
Way down to the river down the Curra road

Past the cattle at their grazing
Through the woods of hazel, holly, birch and oak
Past the robin on the gatepost
Singing to the bluebells, sunlight is their host
We won’t worry about the winter
Worry about it raining
Worry about the snow
In the summer we’ll go laughing
Way down to the river down the dusty road

There is music in the river
Listen to it dancing underneath the bridge
The wind is hardly breathing
Words onto the willow branches overhead
We won’t worry about the government
Worry about the way to go
Worry about the hay
In the summer we’ll go walking
Hand in hand together down the dusty way

Dirk Powell – banjo
Robbie Overson – Acoustic Guitar
Ewen Vernal – Double Bass
James Mackintosh – Drums
Donald Shaw – Accordion, Piano, Wurlitzer
Karen Matheson – Backing Vocals

top

The Ballad of Tim Evans

(Ewan McColl)

Tim Evans was a prisoner
Down in his prison cell
And those who read about his crimes
Condemned his soul to hell
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

For the killing of his own dear wife
And the murder of his child
The jury found him guilty
The hangin' judge, he smiled
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

They took Tim Evans from the dock
And they led him to his cell
They closed the door behind his back
Saying “damn your soul to hell”
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

Tim Evans pleaded innocent
He swore by Him on high
He never killed his own dear wife
Nor caused his child to die
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

Tim Evans walked around the yard
Some screws, they walked behind
He saw the sky above the wall
He knew no peace of mind
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

The governor came to his cell
The chaplain by his side
Saying, "Your appeal has been turned down
Prepare yourself to die"
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

They took Tim Evans to the place
Where the hangman did prepare
They tied a rope around his neck
With a knot behind his ear
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

A thousand lads were screaming
And cursing at the doors
Tim Evans didn't hear them
He was deaf forever more
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down"

They sent Tim Evans to the dock
For a crime he didn’t do
It’s Christy was the murderer
The judge and jury too
Sayin', "Go down you murderer go down"

Paul Meehan – Acoustic Guitar
Tim O’Brien – Backing Vocals, Mandolin
Ewen Vernal – Double Bass
Michael McGoldrick – Bodhran
Donald Shaw – Wurlitzer
Mel Mercier – Shaker
Niall Vallely – Concertina

top

Just a Note

(Matt McGinn)

Just a note for the time is short dear
Hard is the work and long the day
But my fond heart will be with you Mary
Although you are many many miles away

Kiss the children for me Mary
Do not let them pine or grieve
Tell them I will be working for them
How our home I had to leave

Building dams in the fields and the factories
Moving concrete by the load
Tell them I will be with you Mary
When I am finished working on the road

Just a note for the time is short dear
Hard is the work and long the day
But my fond heart will be with you Mary
Although you are many many miles away

Robbie Overson – Acoustic Guitar
Michael McGoldrick – Flute
Donald Shaw - Keyboard

top

Lord MacDonald's

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Karen Matheson/Donald Shaw)

Tha smeorach 's a 'mhaduin chiuin
Binn ,binn a' ceileireadh;
Tha smeorach 's a 'mhaduin chiuin
Ge b'e co 'chluinneadh i

A Mhorag nighean Dhomhuill duinn
Tha thu cruinn sgiobalta
A Mhorag nighean Dhomhuill duinn,
Tha thu cruinn boidheach

Thug mi cion 'us cion 'us cion
Thug mi cion an uiridh dhuit,
Thug mi cion 'us cion 'us cion
'S bhuilichinn do phosadh

A Mhorag bheag nighean Dhomhuill ghibich,
Is ioma fear 'thug ribean duit;
A Mhorag bheag nighean Dhomhuill ghibich,
Is ioma fear tha'n toir ort.

Thug mi cion 'us cion 'us cion
Thug mi cion an uiridh dhuit,
Thug mi cion 'us cion 'us cion
'S bhuilichinn do phosadh

A Mhorag nighean Dhomhuill duinn
Tha thu cruinn sgiobalta
A Mhorag nighean Dhomhuill duinn,
Tha thu cruinn boidheach

Thug mi cion 'us cion 'us cion
Thug mi cion an uiridh dhuit,
Thug mi cion 'us cion 'us cion
'S bhuilichinn do phosadh

A Mhorag bheag nighean Dhomhuill uidhir
Thug mi cion an uiridh duit;
A Mhorag bheag nighean Dhomhuill uidhir
Bhuilichinn do phosadh

TRANSLATION
The thrush in the still morning
Sweetly, sweetly thrills
The thrush in the still morning
Whoever would hear her.
CHORUS
Morag daughter of dark Donald
You are full and tidy
Morag daughter of dark Donald
You are full and pleasing.

I gave you affection and affection and affection
I gave you affection last year
I gave you affection and affection and affection
And I’d love to marry you.

Little Morag daughter of untidy Donald
Many a man has given you a ribbon
Little Morag daughter of untidy Donald
Many a man desires you.

Little Morag daughter of dun Donald
I gave you affection last year
Little Morag daughter of dun Donald
I’d love to marry you.

Karen Matheson – Vocals
Signy Jacobson – Frame Drum
Ewen Vernal – Double Bass
James Mackintosh – Drums
Donald Shaw – Wurltizer, Accordion
Dezi Donnelly – Fiddle
Malcolm Stitt – Acoustic Guitar, Bouzouki

top

Quiet of the Night

(Karan Casey)

In the quiet of the night
I make up my dreams
And steal a bit of peace
To ease me through the day

In the quiet of the night
I make up my mind
I decide to stay strong
For the rest of the way

Something secret about me
Something I hold to myself
I love you in my heart
Because you let me be

In the quiet of the night
I keep it in mind
That your heart is as tender
As tender as a rose

In the quiet of the night
When the sky is laden with grief
I follow you heart
To the ends of the earth

Something secret about me
Something I hold to myself
I love you in my heart
Because you let me be

Robbie Overson – Acoustic Guitar
Ewen Vernal – Double Bass
Donald Shaw – Piano, Wurlitzer
Niall Vallely – Concertina

top

Bata is Bóthar (The Stick and the Road)

(John Spillane/Louis DePaor)

Ó chaitheas-sa seal i measc na bponcán
Ag codailt amuigh fé chrann mo dhóchais
Ag réabadh fallaí a thóg m’athair romham
Idir é is an doicheall i bhfuinneog a súl

‘Sea thugadar go fial dúinn a raibh acu le tabhairt
Bata is bóthar is fonn abhaile
‘Sea téir abhaile go h-ifreann
Is fan sa bhaile in Éirinn.

Is chuas ina dhiaidh sin go Londain groí
Mo dhá láimh liom is mé liom féin
Dá mbeinnse céad bliain ag doras Sheáin Bhuí
Ní bhfaighinn bheith istigh i ngar dá chroí

‘Sea thugadar go fial dúinn a raibh acu le tabhairt
Bata is bóthar is fonn abhaile
‘Sea téir abhaile go h-ifreann
Is fan sa bhaile in Éirinn.

Is bhíos ag a’ deireadh i ndeireadh an domhain
Ag luí béal faoi ibpoll an uaignis
Ag scríobadh na cré i dtrínse ró mhór
A bhí chomh cúng le huaigh mo linbh

‘Sea thugadar go fial dúinn a raibh acu le tabhairt
Bata is bóthar is fonn abhaile
‘Sea téir abhaile go h-ifreann
Is fan sa bhaile in Éirinn.

Is bhíos-sa lá i dtír na ndall
Ag iarraidh dídean ó racht na farraige
Ní bhfuaireas-sa ann ach airgead ag méileach
Is fliuchadh mo bhéil de mo dheora féin

‘Sea thugamar go fial dóibh a raibh againn le tabhairt
Bata is bóthar is fonn abhaile
‘Sea téir abhaile go h-ifreann
Is fan sa bhaile as Éirinn!

Translation
THE STICK AND THE ROAD
O I spent a time in the land of the yanks
Sleeping out under the tree of my hope
Tearing down walls my father had built before me
Between himself and the window of suspicion of their eyes

Yeah they gave us generously what they had to give
The stick and the road and the longing to go home
Yes go home to hell
And stay home in Ireland

And I went after that to greater London
My two hands hanging and me on my own
If I was a hundred years at the door of John Bull
I wouldn’t get in close to his heart

Yeah they gave us generously what they had to give
The stick and the road and the longing to go home
Yes go home to hell
And stay home in Ireland

And I was in the end at the end of the world
Lying face down in the pool of loneliness
Scratching at the clay in a trench too wide
That was as narrow as the grave of my child

Yeah they gave us generously what they had to give
The stick and the road and the longing to go home
Yes go home to hell
And stay home in Ireland

And one day I went to the land of the blind
Looking for shelter from the rage of the sea
All I found there was the bleating of money
And the wetting of my mouth from my own tears

Yeah they gave us generously what they had to give
The stick and the road and the longing to go home
Yes go home to hell
And stay home from Ireland

Robbie Overson – Acoustic Guitar
Ewen Vernal – Double Bass
James Mackintosh – Drums, Percussion
Michael McGoldrick – Bodhrán
Donald Shaw – Accordion, Wurlitzer
Dezi Donnelly – Fiddle
Mel Mercier – Berimbao

top

The Four Loom Weaver

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Donald Shaw)

I'm a four loom weaver as many a man knows
I've nowt to eat and I've worn out my clothes
My clogs are both broken and stockings I've none
You’d hardly give me tuppence for all I've got on

Old Billy at Bent he kept telling me long
We might have better times if I'd but held my tongue
I holded my tongue till I near lost my breath
And I feel in my heart that I'II soon starve to death

I'm a four loom weaver as many a man knows
I've nowt to eat and I've worn out my clothes
My clogs are both broken and stockings I've none
You’d hardly give me tuppence for all I've got on

We held out for six weeks thought each day was the last
We tarried and shifted till now we’re quite fast
We lived upon nettles when nettles were good
And Waterloo Porridge was best of our food

I'm a four loom weaver as many a man knows
I've nowt to eat and I've worn out my clothes
My clogs are both broken and stockings I've none
You’d hardly give me tuppence for all I've got on

Our Margaret declares if she'd clothes to put on
She'd go up to London and see the great man
And if things didn't alter when there she had been
She swears she’ll fight with blood up to thine.

I'm a four loom weaver as many a man knows
I've nowt to eat and I've worn out my clothes
My clogs are both broken and stockings I've none
You’d hardly give me tuppence for all I've got on

I'm a four loom weaver as many a man knows.
I've nowt to eat and I've worn out my clothes
Stockings I’ve none and no looms to weave on
I’ve woven myself to the far end
I’ve woven myself to the far end

Paul Meehan – Acoustic Guitar
Donald Shaw – Piano
Mel Mercier – Bodhrán
Niall Vallely – Concertina
Cillian Vallely – Low Whistle

top

The Jute-Mill Song

(Mary Brookbank)
Oh dear me the mill runs fast
The poor wee shifters cannae get their rest
Shifting bobbins course and fine
They fairly make you work for your ten and nine

Oh dear me I wish the day was done
Running up and down the pass is no fun
Shifting, piecing, spinning warp, weft and twine
To feed and clothe your bairnes off a ten and nine

Oh dear me the mill runs fast
The poor wee shifters cannae get their rest
Shifting bobbins course and fine
They fairly make you work for your ten and nine

Oh dear me the world is ill divided
Them that works the hardest are the least provided
But I’m maun bide contented dark days are fine
There’s no much pleasure living off a ten and nine

Oh dear me the mill runs fast
The poor wee shifters cannae get their rest
Shifting bobbins course and fine
They fairly make you work for your ten and nine

Dirk Powell – Banjo
Donald Shaw – Accordion
Brendan Gleeson – Fiddle

top

Who Put the Blood

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Ted Barnes/Donald Shaw(MCPS))

Where have you been all along summer's day
Son tell it unto me
A fishing and a fowling in the fields and in the forest
I am weary mother let me be
I am weary mother let me be

Who put the blood on your right shoulder
Son tell it unto me
‘Its the blood of a hare that I killed yesterday
I killed most manfully
I killed most manfully

The blood of a hare it would never be so red
Son tell it unto me
It's the blood of a boy that I killed yesterday
I killed most manfully
I killed most manfully

What was between yourself and the boy
Son tell it unto me
It was mostly the cutting down of a rod
That never would come to a tree
That never would come to a tree

What will you do when your daddy finds out
Son tell it unto me
I will put my foot on board of a ship and sail away
Sail to a foreign country
And sail to a foreign country

What will you do with your lovely wedded wife
Son tell it unto me
She can put her foot onboard of a ship and follow me
Follow after me
Follow after me

What will you do with your two fine babes
Son tell it unto me
I'll give one to my father and the other to my mother
To keep them company
To keep them company

What will you do with your house and your lands
Son tell it unto me
I will lay them bare to the birds and the air
There's no more welcome for me
There's no more welcome for me

What will you do in the Winter of your life
Son tell it unto me
Like a sally in the rock I will bend in the wind
And pray for the Gods mercy
Oh and pray for the Gods mercy

Thank you to Aine Ui Cheallaigh in Ring, Co., Waterford, for singing this song to me a few years back.

Guitar, bouzouki & ebu - Ted Barnes
Keyboards - Donald Shaw
Double Bass - Ewan Vernal
Djembe & percussion - James Mackintosh
Additonal guitar - Robbie Overson
Bb Flute - Michael McGoldrick

top

The King's Shilling

(Iain Sinclair)

Oh my love has left me with bairnes twa
And that's the last of him I ever saw
He's joined the army and marched to war
He took the shilling
He took the shilling and he’s off to war

Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar
Take the King's shilling and you’re off to war

Well did he look as he marched along
With his kilt and sporran and his musket gun
And the ladies tipped him as he marched along
He sailed out by
He sailed out by the Broomielaw

The pipes did play as he marched along
And the soldiers sang out a battle song
"March on, march on," cried the Captain gay
And for King and country
For King and country we will fight today

Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar
Take the King's shilling and we're off to war

The battle rattled to the sound of guns
And the bayonets flashed in the morning sun
The drums did beat and the cannons roared
And the shilling didn't seem
The shilling didn't seem much worth the war

Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar
Take the King's shilling and we're off to war

Well the men they fought and the men did fall
Cut down by bayonets and musket ball
And many of these brave young men
Would never fight for
Would never fight for the King again

Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar
Take the King's shilling and we're off to war
Come laddies come, hear the cannons roar
Take the King's shilling and you’ll die in war

I’ve always liked the gentle heartache to this song which I got from Frank Harte.

Guitar - Ted Barnes
Accordion – Donald Shaw
Double Bass – Ewan Vernal

top

Weary from Lying Alone

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Donald Shaw (MCPS))

One evening of late as I carelessly strayed
I espied a fair maid in deep mourn
asked her the matter, she quickly made answer
I am weary from lying alone, alone
I am weary from lying alone

My comely young damsel come down here alongside me
And tell me of the years that have a flown
For seven long gone and eleven years around
I am weary from lying alone, alone
I am weary from lying alone

If I got a comely young man who would take me without fortune
And make me a wife of his very own
For the truth is I’ll say is, I’ll die in despair
If I lie any longer alone, alone
If I lie any longer alone

There’s a neat sweet li’l flower in this garden alongside me
Take it away sure it is all but your own
For the flower it will fade and so also will the maid
For she’s weary from lying alone, alone
For she’s weary from lying alone.

This is a song I learnt from the exquisite singing of Iarla O Lionaird.

Keyboards - Donald Shaw

top

Éirigh Suas a Stóirín

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Robbie Overson)

Éirigh suas a stóirín mura bfhuil tú 'do shuí
Oscail an doras agus lig mise chun ti
Tá buidéal im' aice bhéarfas deoch do mhnaoi an tí
Agus tá súil agam nach ndiúltaíonn tú mé fá do iníon

Nuair a éirím amach ar maidin agus dearcaim uaim siar
Is dearcaim ar a'bhaile úd a bhfuil agam le dul ann
Titeann na deóra ina sróite liom síos
Agus nímse míle osna bíos cosúil le cumhaidh

I ngleanntan coilleadh uagní is lag brónach a bím
Ó Dhomhnach go Domhnach 's mé ag cathamh mo shaoil
'smé ag feitheamh gach trathnóna ce rachadh 'na ród no cé thiocfadh 'n tí
'S gan duine ar an domhan mhór a thógfadh mo chroí

Nach aoibhinn don éanlaith a éiríos gach lá
‘S a luíos arís ar an aonchraoibh amháin
Ní h’é sin dom féin ‘s do mo chéad mhíle grá
Is i bhfad i bhfad ó chéile bíos ár n-éirí gach lá

top

Rise up, my Love

(Translation)

Rise up, my love, if you’re still in bed lying
Open the door that I might come and recline
By my side I’ve a bottle that I’ve brought for your mother
And I hope she’ll allow it that you shall be mine

When I rise in the morning and look o’er the way
And I look at the place where I’ll spend the long day
The tears fall in streams down my two cheeks like rain
And many’s the time that I sigh for that maid

In the thick wooded glen I live there in loneliness
From Sunday to Sunday spending time on my own
The coming and going I watch o’er the road-way
And nothing in this wide world will lift up my heart

Isn’t it great for the birds that rise up every morning
And roost with each other on the same bush or spray
But that’s not how it is for both me and my true-love
For it’s far from each other that we rise every day

Lupeta Sheehan taught this to me many
moons ago and Mairghead Ni Dhomhnaill’s
beautiful rendition of it has greatly influenced
my own version.

Guitar – Robbie Overson
Concertina – Niall Vallely
Flute – Michael McGoldrick

top

Eppie Morrie

(Trad Arr. Karan Casey/John Doyle)

Four-and-twenty Highland men
Came from the Carron side
To steal away Eppie Morrie
Cause she wouldn't be a bride, a bride
She wouldn't be a bride

Then out it's came her mother then
It was a moonlit night
She couldn't see her daughter
For the moon it shone so bright, so bright
The moon it shone so bright

They've taken Eppie Morrie
And a horse they've bound her on
And they're away to Carron side
As fast as horse could gang, could gang
As fast as horse could gang

And Willie's taken his pistol out
And put it to the minister’s breast
O marry me, marry me, minister
Or else I'll be your priest, your priest
Or else I'll be your priest

Haud away from me, Willie
Haud away from me
There's not a man in all Strathdon
Shall wedded be by me, by me
Shall wedded be by me

Then mass was sung and bells were rung
And they're away to bed
And Willie and Eppie Morrie
In one bed they were laid, were laid
In one bed they were laid

He's taken the shirt from off his back
And kicked away his shoes
And thrown away the chamber key
And naked he lay down, lay down
And naked he lay down

He's kissed her on the lily breast
And held her shoulders twa
But aye she gat and aye she spat
And turned to the wa', the wa'
And turned to the wa'

They wrestled there all through the night
Before the break of day
But aye she gat and aye she spat
But he could not stretch her spey,
He could not stretch her spey

Haud away from me, Willie,
Haud away from me
There's not a man in all Strathdon
Shall wedded be by me, by me
Shall wedded be by me

Then early in the morning
Before the light of day
In came the maid of Scallater
In gown and shirt alone, alone
In a gown and shirt alone

Get up, get up, young woman
And take a drink with me
You might have called me maiden
For I'm as whole as thee, as thee
For I'm as whole as thee.

Then in there came young Breadalbane
With a pistol on his side
O, come away, Eppie Morrie
And I'll make you my bride, my bride
And l'll make you my bride

Go get to me a horse, Willie
Get it like a man
And send me back to my mother
A maiden as I came, I came
A maiden as I came

Haud away from me, Willie
Haud away from me
There's not a man in all Strathdon
Shall wedded be by me, by me
Shall wedded be with me

Haud away from me, Willie
Haud away from me
There's not a man in all Strathdon
Shall wedded be by me, by me
Shall wedded be by me

Thank you to Tony Cuffe for the long
version of this song. I first heard Peggy Seeger and
Ewan McColl do it.

Guitar & backing vocals - John Doyle
Bass – Ewan Vernal
Concertina – Niall Vallely
Bodhran – Frank Torpey
Keyboards - Donald Shaw

top

Strange Fruit

(Louis Allen)

Southern trees bearing strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south
Them big bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the winds to suck
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

I learnt this song from the singing of Billie Holiday and the great champion of the Black Civil Rights movement Nina Simone.

Keyboard – Donald Shaw

top

Where Are You Tonight I Wonder

By Andy M. Stewart, Arr. Karan Casey/Donald Shaw (MCPS)

Where are you tonight I wonder
Where will you be tonight when I cry
Will sleep for you come easy
Whilst I alone can't slumber
Will you welcome the morning
At another man's side

How easy for you the years have slipped under
And left me with a shadow the sun can't dispel
For I built for you a tower full of love and admiration
But I built it so high I could not reach it myself

The view from my window is a world full of sadness
The face in my mirror is the one face I know
You have taken all that's in me, so my heart is in no danger
My heart is in no danger, but I'd still like to know

Where are you tonight I wonder
Where will you be tonight when I cry
Will sleep for you come easy,
Whilst I alone can't slumber
Will you welcome the morning
At another man's side

There is a silence and it cannot be broken
There is a pure heart and it’s there I will go
Time will work its healing and my spirit will grow stronger
But in the meantime I would still like to know.

Where are you tonight I wonder
And where will you be tonight when I cry
Will sleep for you come easy
Whilst I alone can't slumber
Will you welcome the morning
At another man's side

I learnt this from the singing of June Tabor.

Thanks to Phil Cunningham, Donald Shaw and
Robbie Overson for teaching me how to sing it in 3/4!

Piano: Donald Shaw
Fiddles: Dezi Donnelly

top

Buile Mo Chroí

Music - John Spillane, Words - Louis De Paor. (Arr. Karan Casey/Donald Shaw/Robbie Overson/Mike McGoldrick)

An gcloiseann tú bualadh mo chroí
Buile mo chroí
Greadadh mo chroí
An gcloiseann tú greadadh mo chroí

Are you hearing the beat of my heart
The bang of my heart
The scrape of my heart
Are you hearing the scrape of my heart

An mbraitheann tú cuisle mo chroí
I dtearmann do lámha
I ngéibheann do ghrá
An mbraitheann tú cuisle mo chroí

Are you feeling the pulse of my heart
In the palm of your hand
In the jail of your love
Are you feeling the pulse of my heart

Tá botún sa tsaol
Nach maithim do Dhia
An ghrian i do shúil
Ag teacht idir mé agus solas an lae
Tá botún sa tsaol

There’s a fault in this world
And I won’t forgive God
The sun in your eye
That comes between me and the light of the sky
There’s a fault in this world

An gcloiseann tú bualadh mo chroí
Buile mo chroí
Briseadh mo chroí
An gcloiseann tú briseadh mo chroí

Are you hearing the beat of my heart
The pain of my heart
The break of my heart
Are you hearing the break of my heart

Tá cóta an athar
Ró-mhór dá mhac
A bhróga caite
Ar chosa mo mhic
Ag bualadh mo chroí
Greadadh mo chroí
Stracadh mo chroí
An mbraitheann tú caitheamh mo chroí

Your old man’s coat
Is too big for you boy
His worn out shoes
On the feet of my son
Kicking my heart
Breaking my heart
A tearing my heart
Are you wearing the tear of my heart

Tá cóta an athar
Ró-mhór dá mhac
A bhróga caite
Ar chosa mo mhic
Ag bualadh mo chroí
Greadadh mo chroí
Stracadh mo chroí
An mbraitheann tú caitheamh mo chroí

Your old man’s coat
Is too big for you boy
His worn out shoes
On the feet of my son
Kicking my heart
Breaking my heart
A tearing my heart
Are you wearing the tear of my heart

Sioscadh mo chroí
Doirteadh mo chroí,
An gcloiseann tú doirteadh mo chroí
Ciúnas mo chroí
Uaigneas mo chroí
An gcloiseann tú uaigneas mo chroí
Cogar a chroí

Guitar - Robbie Overson
Double Bass -Ewan Vernal
Keyboards - Donald Shaw
Bodhran – Frank Torpey
Djembe & percussion - James Mackintosh
Pipes - Michael McGoldrick
Fiddle - Dezi Donnelly

top

You Brought Me Up

Music - John Spillane, Words - Louis De Paor
(Arr. Karan Casey/Robbie Overson)

You brought me up and out of the water
You brought me up to forget
I had ever been, I could ever breathe
In the water under your heart

I darkened your door and your days you said
You couldn’t sleep the night
With the sound of the sea hard on my heels
Climbing the stairs to your bed

You promised me gloves from the skins of the fishes
The smile of the dolphin for a ring in my hands
But you left me with nothing but a mouthful of air
And promises wide as the ocean

You left me down for once and for all
You left me out in the open
Under mackerel skies, high and dry
And out of the reach of our sea

Way out of reach and out of my depth
I wear your love like a skin
That hurts when anyone touches me
Where you left me down
For once and for all
Way out of reach of our sea

You promised me gloves from the skins of the fishes
The smile of the dolphin for a ring in my hands
But you left me with nothing but a mouthful of air
And promises wide as the ocean

You brought me up and out of the water
You brought me up to forget
I had ever been, I could ever breathe
In the water under your heart

Thank you to John Spillane and Louis De Paor (the gaelic-hit factory) for all their great songs and poems.

Guitar - Robbie Overson
Fiddle - Dezi Donnelly
Accordion - Donald Shaw

top

The Snows They Melt The Soonest

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Robbie Overson)

The snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the corn it ripens fastest as the frosts are settling in
And when a young man tells me that my face he'll soon forget
Before we part I'll wage a bet he'll be fain to follow it yet

The snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the swallow flies without a thought as long as it is spring
When springtime goes and winter blows, my lad, and you'll be fain
With all your pride to follow me across the stormy main

The snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the bee that flew in summertime in winter it will not sting
I've seen a woman's anger melt between the night and morn
It's surely not a harder thing to melt a woman's scorn

So never bid me farewell for no farewell I'll receive
You will lie with me, my love, and kiss and take your leave
And I'll wait here till the woodcock calls and the marten takes it's wing
For the snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing

I learnt this song from the singing of Annie Briggs and Dick Gaughan.

Guitar - Robbie Overson
Ebu - Ted Barnes
Cellos - Alison Lawrence

top

The Liberty Tree

(Trad. Arr. Karan Casey/Donald Shaw (MCPS))

It was the year of ’93
The French did plant an olive tree
The symbol of great liberty
And the people danced around it
O wasn’t I telling you,
The French declared courageously
That Equality, Freedom and Fraternity
Would be the cry of every nation

In ’94 a new campaign
The tools of darkness did maintain
Gall’s brave sons they did form a league
And their foes they were dumb-founded
They gave to Flanders liberty
And all its people they set free
The Dutch and Austrians home did flee
And the Dukes they were confounded

Behold may all of human-kind
Emancipated with the French combine
May laurels green all on them shine
And their sons and daughters long wear them
May every tyrant shake with dread
And tremble for their guilty head
May the Fleur-de-Lis in dust be laid
And they no longer wear them

For Church and State in close embrace
Is the burden of the Human Race
And the people tell you to your face
That you will long repent it
For Kings in power and preaching drones
Are the cause of all your heavy groans
Down from your pulpits, down from your thrones
You will tumble unlamented.
O wasn’t I telling you,
The French declared courageously
That Equality, Freedom and Fraternity
Would be the cry of every nation

I got this from the singing of Len Graham.

Piano - Donald Shaw

top