Seeing Hilary post below reminded me of set of a gigs not sure if they were in April, when i started to travel more to gigs, a trip to one of the Scotland gigs can not remember which one, I have found memories of only planning for the the 2 gig leaving work going home packing the bag and getting an early flight to Glasgow, then you had a show in Manchester 2 days later which was the last on the tour if i remember correctly, i was lucky to be asked was i going to Manchester and was given a ticket, flew home and then flew to Manchester managed to get in on a flight in time, gig was in the palace theatre then back home , this has always been one of my fav gigs that i have had the pleasure of going to, after checking i found the photos from that night it was indeed April 19th 2011.
Christy's reply
The Wicklow Boy is back again…always good to hear from you ….thanks again for all the great shots you have shared with us..some of them used in recent releases…small hopeful signs emerging, maybe we’ll have a gaggle again before too long, gather together in some oasis of perfume and after shave,
I still recall you arriving into the fold..how many years ago is that now?….it did not take you long to become a regular attendee….I’ve spotted you in manys the venue and you’re there to be seen in many of the filmed gigs …..Yourself and Herself the most loyal of listeners….Shine On Adam
Hi All. Easter always feels like a time for remembering, this time 5 years ago we were on tour in the UK including Guilford, Brighton ,Canterbury, and London, and of course the month of April will always be associated with the gaggle in Lisdoon seems there is the potential of snow on the Island tomorrow ! ! https://youtu.be/GFh2CCyOX_Y beir bua agus beannacht,,, H
Christy's reply
fair play to you Hilary..thanks fro posting..I clicked on and heard the old song again.,it was lovely to hear, brought back memories of recording it, Myself ,Liam,Andy and Dónal..
just the other day Dave posted Liam Óg and Catherine Ennis playing “Easter Snow”, it went in real deep…
got my first jab last week…no problems and my WiFi got a great boost…may have the second jab before the NCH gig… Mick reckons if we’re fully loaded with Pfizer by May the 1st we might do a Dylan and go electric
I love the irish national on monday.
Wonderful ,competitive card.
Soldier song/national anthem before the start of the race.
The horse parade of competitors.
Remembering 1916.
Fillies in Frilly dresses, colts and geldings in shiny shoes, lashings of porter, fine food, the Bobbyjo , small bets, big lays, sunshine, the roar, live music,might craic, the rank outsider and the hot favourite are all equal.
2 years absence means that the 2022 hospitality package is a dead cert…there must be another racing song in all that Christy?
Snow due here tomorrow ( so i can wear my Fairyhouse 2021 snood) whilst i dream of Jack Kennedy kicking ahead on the final circuit at Ballyhack with 9 furlongs to go.
Rory
Christy's reply
a Racing song , now theres a thought,.
Mick O’Learys aeroplanes are under starter’s orders …
down Ballydoyle there’s not a word of Sheik Mahammod’s daughter,
Years ago, round here, the greeting from men always used to be “ow do”. It means how are you doing? I heard it on the TV recently and I was right back in my childhood. These days we usually get straight into the weather or whatever going on right now. It would be a sad world if people didn’t talk to each other. It’s a long time since I lived in a city, and even then, it was Manchester, just as Dave says.
There’s two tracks on the Out to an other side album that both have the same tune but are treated completely differently. One is muscular voices, the other is the pipes at their soulful best. So mant possibilities. 😊
Rebecca
Christy's reply
“Story Bud”
“Hows she cuttin”
“ey up Our Kid”
“awe righ ?”
“G’Day Mate”
“Whallup”
Hi Christy and John Gibbs
Thank you for your lovely responses! I knew that a Blue Brothers’ “Getting the Band Back Together” scenario might need more than a whimsical, if quite serious, mention on a Webpage 🙂
What will be will be. Maybe the time is right for a new song, or maybe John’s wonderful torchsong of truth-telling can light other corners of continued dispossession in the world, like the Cherokee realised so many years ago.
If it is publicly performed – which it should be really by someone more in the public eye than me – John will be the first to know, and you quickly after, Christy!
The world needs more protest songs out in public. It is getting harder to get a gig and commercial love-songs these days are often about a kind of possession I don’t recognise as love, the colonisation of a body. I like the Dick Gaughan type of love song!! 🙂
The warmest of regards to you both.
Jenny
Interesting points from Rory, as ever. Being from/in a city that scores well for being less ‘up itself’ than others, I hope that’s the case, despite the size of the place… the regular addition of ‘love’ into a greeting or an exchange in a shop (‘What can I get you ,love?)is natural and something, I hope you remember fondly in these parts – also, a welcome trait that often strikes people visiting the area for the first time and, notably, exiles returning.Sad,if we have to be instructed how to ‘behave’/socially greet,especially by a Government devoid of common decency and moral compass…hopefully,we can all aim to be the kindest we can be.
Found an interesting artist/musician by chance – always a buzz, even if he’s probably very well known to many – am about to return to look at /listen to more at http://www.davidrooney.com what a talent.
Have a good day all – come sun or Easter Snow (now, there’s a tune…)
Dear Christy,
The only thing i could think to say was ‘we all belong here, this is our native shore’.
This lovely song ‘miracles of nature’ is playing away tonight , from the somewhat overlooked but wonderful ‘graffiti tongue’.
I saw a paper review early doors today and the english city-centric presenters were in awe of the newspaper piece that said that an english countryside code was about to suggest that ‘when appropriate’ we say ‘hello’ to passers by when out in the country.
However in Hawick we say ‘hello’ to everyone we meet and pass whether on the High street or out in the mist past Philhope Brig. I recall someone looking at properties in a window , that i said hello to as i locked up, and they said ‘i had forgotten that people say hello to complete strangers here’ (or fine day, wet isn’t it,how are you etc) . They had driven in from a city where people forget that it is just polite, open, friendly and costs not a penny to be decent.
So when i heard that today i thought of ‘we all belong here’. Just a correct, lovely, open ,human and natural thing to say whether behind a drystone wall or on a city motorway walkover.
Thanks for the inspiration Christy, top man.
Rory
Hello Christy and All,
Out the side of the vaccine side effects and the gigs are starting to look like they could be a when instead of an if. Looking forward to days of travel and listening and sharing and playing and singing. Getting my family in the kitchen again is going to be brilliant.
I need to chivvy that harp maker along to get the new beauty in a case that can travel.
Rebecca
Dear Christy, I have been in regular contact with Jenny concerning “Irish Ways and Irish Laws” and change of words, “Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws” in support of the indigenous people of Australia. I have always been one to stand up for the underdog. As Mr Eric B mentioned in a mail a few months ago, “It is our remit as songwriters to give a voice to those who may not have, or who may need one” and in this case I stand by and give Jenny my full support. I really like her idea, her lyrics heartfelt. Jenny is not only a compassionate and considerate person, but also a fine musician and great singer, with a very special voice.
Once upon a time there was
Irish Ways and Irish Laws
Indian Ways and Indian Laws
Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws
She has a vision and that’s where all begins.
Hope you are all keeping safe and well.
With kindest and warmest regards.
John
Shaggy dog story, Christy: Sat evening ebay search for an affordable copy of Liam’s Piper’s Call DVD (have the album) and up turns the Helen Davies album in the search results. Checked wikipedia (nowt) and so to discogs, which lists Laim as one of the musicians.
Anyhow, the discogs copy of the CD was dellivered this morning and the listing for track 9 is as follows:
“9. Dark is the colour of my true love’s hair (trad. Irish)
Didn’t know, until I checked, that Palle Mikkelborg is Helen’s husband.
Listened to the entire album on YouTube, wondering if ‘cripes, if he plays the tin whistle, will I recognise Liam?’ but track nine is hugely different to the other tracks, and the playing is so serenely solid that I thought the style unmistakeable (agree with you, not quite 100% sure but if not Liam O’Flynn, who the hell else was playing like that in 2000?).
So I brought it here to share and maybe someone might have commented that it was idunno1 or idunno2 etc…. but I wouldn’t have risked it if I thought I really was mistaken.
As for the title track:
“4.Open the Door Softly (trad. Irish)
Helen Davies, harps
Poul Hoxbro, pandero, renaissance bass recorder
Open the door softly, someone wants to come in
Give me a chink no wider than you’d fill up with your ear
And if you’re hard of hearing dear, your mouth will do as well
So put your lips against the crack, and hear what I’ve to tell”
Liam’s playing right now and those poetic words, I’ve gone all unnecessary (as it were)! The album sounds somehow more diverse than I recall it being on YouTube, when I was focused on listening for either pipes or a whistle.
This is your reward for having been a good aul fella and not squawking when you were jabbed (I hope the side effects are mild and don’t last for too long, I had a sore arm for 24 hour and now my left shoulder is surely Covid-immune).
Great that you’re in the 50% jab club – I’m glad all was well set up.
Great to have confirmation of College Green gigs – sorry I missed you and Moving Hearts. Your mention of Archie Fisher reminded me of his great style (only ever saw him with Clancy and Makem).Plenty of it on show at http://www.redhouserecords.com also, songs featuring doors… a wonderful LP by Eric Andersen (’bout Changes ‘n’ Things) inc ‘Close the door lightly when you go’…wonderful stuff.
As ever, a treat to visit here and be reminded of good times/music – and look ahead…
This chat about De Dannan and members brought back some great memories, but hazy detail, I wonder if you/ fellow guestbookers might have info for me to follow up for photos/film evidence.
In the late 80s or early 90s, there were several free weekend concerts in central Dublin (sponsored by Heineken?)- roads closed, stage erected and a few thousand punters packed in outside Trinity College/Bank of Ireland site. One Saturday night there was a brilliant gig featuring De Dannan/Mary Black/Dolores Keane and other combinations of artists. I’m 99% sure I’m not imagining that I witnessed such a gathering, but would appreciate any confirmation!
Enjoy the Spring day.
Dave
Christy's reply
It was a wonderful experience…to sit among a group of fellow elders and observe the care and compassion displayed by our magnificent health care workers….I’m 50% loaded now, hoping and wishing for a brighter future
yes, those College Green Gigs did take place, I guested at one when Moving Hearts (mark 3) invited me to sing with them….
Hi Christy
Thanks for a lifetime of music. I was glad to get to hear you in the Goilin on my precious visits home that were early or late enough in the summer to catch the Club.
Christy, I did a rewrite of Irish Ways and Irish Laws by John Gibbs – Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws – about the invasion of Australia and dispossession of Australian indigenous people. There are few other songs that could carry such grief, sadness and weight of injustice as the relatively recent dispossession of this country.
Here are the words – I would like Moving Hearts, wherever you all are, to record it with a young leader of the Yolngu Nation … via the airwaves in solidarity with indigenous peoples. Ah sure it would be amazing and I’m not after much am I?
Australian Indigenous People have been denied a treaty, denied Land Rights, denied a voice. In combination with yours they might have one more thread in their bow to get one. Irish people helped with the colonisation of this land – maybe it’s time to really connect with this beautiful country-caring culture in a gesture of acknowledgement and sorrow. The new lyrics do try to tell the real story – this land was not settled … it was violently stolen. A bit like Ireland itself.
Irish Ways and Irish Laws by John Gibbs – new lyrics Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws
Since the dawn of time there was
Yolngu Ways and Yolngu laws
families of Yolngu blood
Waking to the morning, waking to the morning
Then the white man came around
turned us up and turned us down
Telling lies of empty land
While waging wars unending,
brave Warriors defending
In violence the white man came
Genocide in all but name
stole the children from the bush
torn from land and living, torn from land and living
Across the land invaders came
clearing forest, planting grain
No dreaming place lies undisturbed
Even changed the rivers flowing, changed the rivers flowing
200 years of stolen land
May the power of the artist’s hand
keep the Yolngu spirit high
above the pain descending, above the pain descending.
This dispossession carries on
We say that it must not be long
Before the constitution’s graced
with the voices of First Nations,
the voices of First Nations
Christy's reply
greetings to you all up there in that beautiful land….
John Gibbs visits this site and hopefully he will read your interpretation of his song….many years ago I met Floyd Westerman (Red Crow) of the Cherokee People…when I sang John’s song to him Floyd carried it home to his people and began to sing a new version….
Its 40 years since I last sang with Moving Hearts… we’ve all been scattered to distant galaxies, a reunion of that original line highly unlikely…
perhaps it would be better to have a version sung as you suggest but also accompanied by musicians from the Yolgnu people…
should it happen, please do let us hear it…
I’m shamefully aware of the part certain Irish people played in the Genocide of Native people where the bloodstained union jack was raised in conquered colonies….I’ve also witnessed first hand the racist attitudes and taunts displayed by descendents of those “white” mercenaries….in California, Vancoiver, Perth WA,
Auckland and Montego Bay…
PS. I learned and recorded Floyd Westerman’s song “Quiet Desperation”
Thought I’d drop in to share a very recent YouTube find, and well hidden it is too because this track is on Helen Davies’ Close the Door Softly album … you’re expecting heavenly harp music, right? Well, there is some:
Found it not long after I was Pfizered for the first time, last Friday.
Stay well, all’n’Christy too xx
Christy's reply
never heard this before…I think I recognise the Piper but not 100%sure…do you happen to know? Archie Fisher used to sing a song that opened
“Open the door softly, I’ve something to tell you dear”
hi Christy hope all is well,
Seeing Hilary post below reminded me of set of a gigs not sure if they were in April, when i started to travel more to gigs, a trip to one of the Scotland gigs can not remember which one, I have found memories of only planning for the the 2 gig leaving work going home packing the bag and getting an early flight to Glasgow, then you had a show in Manchester 2 days later which was the last on the tour if i remember correctly, i was lucky to be asked was i going to Manchester and was given a ticket, flew home and then flew to Manchester managed to get in on a flight in time, gig was in the palace theatre then back home , this has always been one of my fav gigs that i have had the pleasure of going to, after checking i found the photos from that night it was indeed April 19th 2011.
The Wicklow Boy is back again…always good to hear from you ….thanks again for all the great shots you have shared with us..some of them used in recent releases…small hopeful signs emerging, maybe we’ll have a gaggle again before too long, gather together in some oasis of perfume and after shave,
I still recall you arriving into the fold..how many years ago is that now?….it did not take you long to become a regular attendee….I’ve spotted you in manys the venue and you’re there to be seen in many of the filmed gigs …..Yourself and Herself the most loyal of listeners….Shine On Adam
We have snow here, and porridge with honey, and coffee.
Easter snow.
I suppose a rasher sandwich is out of the question
Hi All. Easter always feels like a time for remembering, this time 5 years ago we were on tour in the UK including Guilford, Brighton ,Canterbury, and London, and of course the month of April will always be associated with the gaggle in Lisdoon seems there is the potential of snow on the Island tomorrow ! ! https://youtu.be/GFh2CCyOX_Y beir bua agus beannacht,,, H
fair play to you Hilary..thanks fro posting..I clicked on and heard the old song again.,it was lovely to hear, brought back memories of recording it, Myself ,Liam,Andy and Dónal..
just the other day Dave posted Liam Óg and Catherine Ennis playing “Easter Snow”, it went in real deep…
got my first jab last week…no problems and my WiFi got a great boost…may have the second jab before the NCH gig… Mick reckons if we’re fully loaded with Pfizer by May the 1st we might do a Dylan and go electric
Hi Christy, we are still enjoying your music. Reminds us famine immigrants of the old Country. Kevin C McCurrie
ah jasus curly…enjoyin the famine…
I love the irish national on monday.
Wonderful ,competitive card.
Soldier song/national anthem before the start of the race.
The horse parade of competitors.
Remembering 1916.
Fillies in Frilly dresses, colts and geldings in shiny shoes, lashings of porter, fine food, the Bobbyjo , small bets, big lays, sunshine, the roar, live music,might craic, the rank outsider and the hot favourite are all equal.
2 years absence means that the 2022 hospitality package is a dead cert…there must be another racing song in all that Christy?
Snow due here tomorrow ( so i can wear my Fairyhouse 2021 snood) whilst i dream of Jack Kennedy kicking ahead on the final circuit at Ballyhack with 9 furlongs to go.
Rory
a Racing song , now theres a thought,.
Mick O’Learys aeroplanes are under starter’s orders …
down Ballydoyle there’s not a word of Sheik Mahammod’s daughter,
“I-ya” Christy……ceart go leor,míle mait agat
“what’s cookin”…..bacún,cabáiste agus prátaí, buíchois le dia
Long time since I last heard it. I picked Voyage (1989) out of the CD-wall. So calm. What a gem. Good luck, Günter
Years ago, round here, the greeting from men always used to be “ow do”. It means how are you doing? I heard it on the TV recently and I was right back in my childhood. These days we usually get straight into the weather or whatever going on right now. It would be a sad world if people didn’t talk to each other. It’s a long time since I lived in a city, and even then, it was Manchester, just as Dave says.
There’s two tracks on the Out to an other side album that both have the same tune but are treated completely differently. One is muscular voices, the other is the pipes at their soulful best. So mant possibilities. 😊
Rebecca
“Story Bud”
“Hows she cuttin”
“ey up Our Kid”
“awe righ ?”
“G’Day Mate”
“Whallup”
Hi Christy and John Gibbs
Thank you for your lovely responses! I knew that a Blue Brothers’ “Getting the Band Back Together” scenario might need more than a whimsical, if quite serious, mention on a Webpage 🙂
What will be will be. Maybe the time is right for a new song, or maybe John’s wonderful torchsong of truth-telling can light other corners of continued dispossession in the world, like the Cherokee realised so many years ago.
If it is publicly performed – which it should be really by someone more in the public eye than me – John will be the first to know, and you quickly after, Christy!
The world needs more protest songs out in public. It is getting harder to get a gig and commercial love-songs these days are often about a kind of possession I don’t recognise as love, the colonisation of a body. I like the Dick Gaughan type of love song!! 🙂
The warmest of regards to you both.
Jenny
Mornin’ Christy/all
Interesting points from Rory, as ever. Being from/in a city that scores well for being less ‘up itself’ than others, I hope that’s the case, despite the size of the place… the regular addition of ‘love’ into a greeting or an exchange in a shop (‘What can I get you ,love?)is natural and something, I hope you remember fondly in these parts – also, a welcome trait that often strikes people visiting the area for the first time and, notably, exiles returning.Sad,if we have to be instructed how to ‘behave’/socially greet,especially by a Government devoid of common decency and moral compass…hopefully,we can all aim to be the kindest we can be.
Found an interesting artist/musician by chance – always a buzz, even if he’s probably very well known to many – am about to return to look at /listen to more at http://www.davidrooney.com what a talent.
Have a good day all – come sun or Easter Snow (now, there’s a tune…)
Dave
Dear Christy,
The only thing i could think to say was ‘we all belong here, this is our native shore’.
This lovely song ‘miracles of nature’ is playing away tonight , from the somewhat overlooked but wonderful ‘graffiti tongue’.
I saw a paper review early doors today and the english city-centric presenters were in awe of the newspaper piece that said that an english countryside code was about to suggest that ‘when appropriate’ we say ‘hello’ to passers by when out in the country.
However in Hawick we say ‘hello’ to everyone we meet and pass whether on the High street or out in the mist past Philhope Brig. I recall someone looking at properties in a window , that i said hello to as i locked up, and they said ‘i had forgotten that people say hello to complete strangers here’ (or fine day, wet isn’t it,how are you etc) . They had driven in from a city where people forget that it is just polite, open, friendly and costs not a penny to be decent.
So when i heard that today i thought of ‘we all belong here’. Just a correct, lovely, open ,human and natural thing to say whether behind a drystone wall or on a city motorway walkover.
Thanks for the inspiration Christy, top man.
Rory
Hello Christy and All,
Out the side of the vaccine side effects and the gigs are starting to look like they could be a when instead of an if. Looking forward to days of travel and listening and sharing and playing and singing. Getting my family in the kitchen again is going to be brilliant.
I need to chivvy that harp maker along to get the new beauty in a case that can travel.
Rebecca
Dear Christy, I have been in regular contact with Jenny concerning “Irish Ways and Irish Laws” and change of words, “Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws” in support of the indigenous people of Australia. I have always been one to stand up for the underdog. As Mr Eric B mentioned in a mail a few months ago, “It is our remit as songwriters to give a voice to those who may not have, or who may need one” and in this case I stand by and give Jenny my full support. I really like her idea, her lyrics heartfelt. Jenny is not only a compassionate and considerate person, but also a fine musician and great singer, with a very special voice.
Once upon a time there was
Irish Ways and Irish Laws
Indian Ways and Indian Laws
Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws
She has a vision and that’s where all begins.
Hope you are all keeping safe and well.
With kindest and warmest regards.
John
Shaggy dog story, Christy: Sat evening ebay search for an affordable copy of Liam’s Piper’s Call DVD (have the album) and up turns the Helen Davies album in the search results. Checked wikipedia (nowt) and so to discogs, which lists Laim as one of the musicians.
Anyhow, the discogs copy of the CD was dellivered this morning and the listing for track 9 is as follows:
“9. Dark is the colour of my true love’s hair (trad. Irish)
Helen Davies, harps
Liam O’Flynn, uillean pipes
Palle Mikkelborg, keyboards
Cy Nicklin, vocal”
Didn’t know, until I checked, that Palle Mikkelborg is Helen’s husband.
Listened to the entire album on YouTube, wondering if ‘cripes, if he plays the tin whistle, will I recognise Liam?’ but track nine is hugely different to the other tracks, and the playing is so serenely solid that I thought the style unmistakeable (agree with you, not quite 100% sure but if not Liam O’Flynn, who the hell else was playing like that in 2000?).
So I brought it here to share and maybe someone might have commented that it was idunno1 or idunno2 etc…. but I wouldn’t have risked it if I thought I really was mistaken.
As for the title track:
“4.Open the Door Softly (trad. Irish)
Helen Davies, harps
Poul Hoxbro, pandero, renaissance bass recorder
Open the door softly, someone wants to come in
Give me a chink no wider than you’d fill up with your ear
And if you’re hard of hearing dear, your mouth will do as well
So put your lips against the crack, and hear what I’ve to tell”
Liam’s playing right now and those poetic words, I’ve gone all unnecessary (as it were)! The album sounds somehow more diverse than I recall it being on YouTube, when I was focused on listening for either pipes or a whistle.
It’s the 10th track on this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUkM64OllVGN4SFYYRjUN9wspXnQtLYYl
This is your reward for having been a good aul fella and not squawking when you were jabbed (I hope the side effects are mild and don’t last for too long, I had a sore arm for 24 hour and now my left shoulder is surely Covid-immune).
Hi Chrsty
Great that you’re in the 50% jab club – I’m glad all was well set up.
Great to have confirmation of College Green gigs – sorry I missed you and Moving Hearts. Your mention of Archie Fisher reminded me of his great style (only ever saw him with Clancy and Makem).Plenty of it on show at http://www.redhouserecords.com also, songs featuring doors… a wonderful LP by Eric Andersen (’bout Changes ‘n’ Things) inc ‘Close the door lightly when you go’…wonderful stuff.
As ever, a treat to visit here and be reminded of good times/music – and look ahead…
Hope the Atkin’s ringing.
Dave
Hi Christy/ all
I hope the jab wasn’t too painful…
This chat about De Dannan and members brought back some great memories, but hazy detail, I wonder if you/ fellow guestbookers might have info for me to follow up for photos/film evidence.
In the late 80s or early 90s, there were several free weekend concerts in central Dublin (sponsored by Heineken?)- roads closed, stage erected and a few thousand punters packed in outside Trinity College/Bank of Ireland site. One Saturday night there was a brilliant gig featuring De Dannan/Mary Black/Dolores Keane and other combinations of artists. I’m 99% sure I’m not imagining that I witnessed such a gathering, but would appreciate any confirmation!
Enjoy the Spring day.
Dave
It was a wonderful experience…to sit among a group of fellow elders and observe the care and compassion displayed by our magnificent health care workers….I’m 50% loaded now, hoping and wishing for a brighter future
yes, those College Green Gigs did take place, I guested at one when Moving Hearts (mark 3) invited me to sing with them….
Hi Christy
Thanks for a lifetime of music. I was glad to get to hear you in the Goilin on my precious visits home that were early or late enough in the summer to catch the Club.
Christy, I did a rewrite of Irish Ways and Irish Laws by John Gibbs – Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws – about the invasion of Australia and dispossession of Australian indigenous people. There are few other songs that could carry such grief, sadness and weight of injustice as the relatively recent dispossession of this country.
Here are the words – I would like Moving Hearts, wherever you all are, to record it with a young leader of the Yolngu Nation … via the airwaves in solidarity with indigenous peoples. Ah sure it would be amazing and I’m not after much am I?
Australian Indigenous People have been denied a treaty, denied Land Rights, denied a voice. In combination with yours they might have one more thread in their bow to get one. Irish people helped with the colonisation of this land – maybe it’s time to really connect with this beautiful country-caring culture in a gesture of acknowledgement and sorrow. The new lyrics do try to tell the real story – this land was not settled … it was violently stolen. A bit like Ireland itself.
Irish Ways and Irish Laws by John Gibbs – new lyrics Yolngu Ways and Yolngu Laws
Since the dawn of time there was
Yolngu Ways and Yolngu laws
families of Yolngu blood
Waking to the morning, waking to the morning
Then the white man came around
turned us up and turned us down
Telling lies of empty land
While waging wars unending,
brave Warriors defending
In violence the white man came
Genocide in all but name
stole the children from the bush
torn from land and living, torn from land and living
Across the land invaders came
clearing forest, planting grain
No dreaming place lies undisturbed
Even changed the rivers flowing, changed the rivers flowing
200 years of stolen land
May the power of the artist’s hand
keep the Yolngu spirit high
above the pain descending, above the pain descending.
This dispossession carries on
We say that it must not be long
Before the constitution’s graced
with the voices of First Nations,
the voices of First Nations
greetings to you all up there in that beautiful land….
John Gibbs visits this site and hopefully he will read your interpretation of his song….many years ago I met Floyd Westerman (Red Crow) of the Cherokee People…when I sang John’s song to him Floyd carried it home to his people and began to sing a new version….
Its 40 years since I last sang with Moving Hearts… we’ve all been scattered to distant galaxies, a reunion of that original line highly unlikely…
perhaps it would be better to have a version sung as you suggest but also accompanied by musicians from the Yolgnu people…
should it happen, please do let us hear it…
I’m shamefully aware of the part certain Irish people played in the Genocide of Native people where the bloodstained union jack was raised in conquered colonies….I’ve also witnessed first hand the racist attitudes and taunts displayed by descendents of those “white” mercenaries….in California, Vancoiver, Perth WA,
Auckland and Montego Bay…
PS. I learned and recorded Floyd Westerman’s song “Quiet Desperation”
Thought I’d drop in to share a very recent YouTube find, and well hidden it is too because this track is on Helen Davies’ Close the Door Softly album … you’re expecting heavenly harp music, right? Well, there is some:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpPTnaNeVmQ
Found it not long after I was Pfizered for the first time, last Friday.
Stay well, all’n’Christy too xx
never heard this before…I think I recognise the Piper but not 100%sure…do you happen to know? Archie Fisher used to sing a song that opened
“Open the door softly, I’ve something to tell you dear”
viva health care workers et al
Christy and Rebecca joining jab world – ain’t no stopping us soon! Great inspirational musicians on your list, Christy All the best D
Thanks Dave!
Good luck with the vacc Christy. Mine’s at 11:05 in Huddersfield. ☺️