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Favorite Irish ballads/jigs/reels?
joshofalltrades
Class TraitorSmoke-filled roomRegistered User regular
Class TraitorSmoke-filled roomRegistered User regular
A couple friends and I just started an Irish/folk band and I'm interested in knowing what some of the Penny Arcade favorite tunes are.
A couple of disclaimers, first. We play for all-age audiences, so nothing filthy or depraved, and preferably none of the typical swear words either. Songs glorifying violence, drinking or womanizing are also off-limits. I know, I know, that's like 90% of Irish culture. Now, a song like Wild Rover -- where drinking and gambling end up as a poor fellow's downfall -- that's okay. Just nothing that would get us unwanted attention from parents. I live in a Christian fundie paradise, and while I don't personally agree with those views I'm not out to get rocks thrown through my windows.
Second, a little bit about the members. I play guitar, bass, harmonica and a little percussion. We do have a female member; she barely plays guitar, plays bass fairly decently, has an amazing voice and can do a little percussion. The final member is a violinist, but he also does a fair guitar. All three of us sing. I'm thinking about finding an accordion on the cheap (or free, if possible) and learning some of that as well, since I can play piano.
Finally, some songs we already know:
Wild Mountain Thyme
The Kesh Jig
Rights of Man
Star of the County Down
Eli, the Barrow Boy
Come Thou Fount
Carrickfergus
Sweet Afton
I suppose we should also learn Danny Boy, but it's my understanding that that's not really viewed as a traditional Irish tune. If we learn it, we'd do it on request only.
Well, H/A? What are your thoughts?
A couple of disclaimers, first. We play for all-age audiences, so nothing filthy or depraved, and preferably none of the typical swear words either. Songs glorifying violence, drinking or womanizing are also off-limits. I know, I know, that's like 90% of Irish culture. Now, a song like Wild Rover -- where drinking and gambling end up as a poor fellow's downfall -- that's okay. Just nothing that would get us unwanted attention from parents. I live in a Christian fundie paradise, and while I don't personally agree with those views I'm not out to get rocks thrown through my windows.
Second, a little bit about the members. I play guitar, bass, harmonica and a little percussion. We do have a female member; she barely plays guitar, plays bass fairly decently, has an amazing voice and can do a little percussion. The final member is a violinist, but he also does a fair guitar. All three of us sing. I'm thinking about finding an accordion on the cheap (or free, if possible) and learning some of that as well, since I can play piano.
Finally, some songs we already know:
Wild Mountain Thyme
The Kesh Jig
Rights of Man
Star of the County Down
Eli, the Barrow Boy
Come Thou Fount
Carrickfergus
Sweet Afton
I suppose we should also learn Danny Boy, but it's my understanding that that's not really viewed as a traditional Irish tune. If we learn it, we'd do it on request only.
Well, H/A? What are your thoughts?
joshofalltrades on
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A few I can think of:
Rocky Road to Dublin
Fields of Athenry
Kelly the Boy from Killarn
Black Velvet Band
I'll Tell me Ma
Look into Australian folk songs as well, like "South Australia" which I think is a great song.
Love that song.
The Highwayman
2nd the Fields of Athenry as well
Kinky Boots (This one)
Come Out You Black & Tans
Broad Black Brimmer
Green, White, and Gold
Merry Ploughboy (Off to Dublin in the Green)
Rare Old Mountain Dew
Streams of Whiskey
Whiskey You're the Devil
That's not an all-ages friendly song.
So is McAlpine's Fusiliers.
Also, any traditional jigs that can be played with violin lead and guitar backing would be much appreciated.
Pick it up. I grew up on/around folk music of various nationalities and this is more or less essential for the Irish side of things.
A lot of the above suggestions are fine, but very touristy/dull and a lot less than authentic. (eg Danny boy and Whisky in the Jar...blaaargh)
Some I'd suggest:
The Unquiet Grave (ghost love story, Kate Rusby does a good version)
The Wild Goose
As I Roved Out
Bold Riley
Caanan's Land - should keep the God botherers happy, folk christian song.
Most of the best ones are very violent, unfortunately. And have quite a lot of sex in too.
We love this sort of thing. Like, a lot.
As for touristy crap... yeah, we're learning it to be crowd pleasers, but we'd like a solid foundation of the good stuff. It's kind of like how every cover band has to know Brown Eyed Girl. Nobody likes playing it anymore, but inevitably some drunk chick at a party will request it and then you have to go through the motions.
We're getting together tomorrow for practice, I'll print this page out and see what the others think.
The Wild Colonial Boy
Whistling Gypsy Rover
The Minstrel Boy
The Orange and the Green
Spancill Hill
I guess no rebel stuff, which is a pity since there are some lovely songs. The Foggy Dew for example.
I remember another one, can't remember the name.
And something no, nay, never
No, nay, never no more
Will I play the wild rover?
I'll never no more
If you want to do an instrumental, I suggest you Brian Boru's March the **** out of that bitch.