Hello Christy,
OK, detective Rebecca is on the case. I feel like I’m doing an exam…
Here’s what I’ve gleaned. Hope it’s not all completely wrong…
V1
Saturday night,packed in tight,all together in the big Marquee
the man from the Cork Examiner comes up and sez to me
how come you keep comin back to The Rebel every year
the answer’s plain and simple Mick*,the reason ‘s very clear
CHORUS
The Banks! The Banks! The Beautiful Banks!
The Banks of The River Lee
Saturday Night,We’re backed in tight
All together in The Big Marquee”
V3
Puccini ‘s in The Opera House, Karl Marx in The Connolly Hall
Joe Mac ‘s in The Arcadia, The Two Norries are on the ball
Maggie Barry’s on The Coal Quay, Jimmy Crowley’s on the ran-tan-tan
Sound as a Bell, Hank Wedell and The Maestro John Spillane…
The Banks! The Banks! The Beautiful Banks!
The Banks of The River Lee
Saturday Night,We’re backed in tight
All together in The Big Marquee”
V7
The Lonely Woods of Upton, The Boys of Fairhill,
The Piper of Crossbarry, I hear him still,
I see the Blood and Bandage, I hear The Rebel Sing,
I’m gonna kiss that Blarney Stone when the Bells of Shandon Ring”
The Banks! The Banks! The Beautiful Banks!
The Banks of The River Lee
Saturday Night,We’re backed in tight
All together in The Big Marquee”
(*** Mick Clifford)
alt opening line
There’s an eagle down in Skibbereen, a Kerryman in Tralee…
—
How’s it going?
I’m wondering about a tune.
Ruby Walsh keeps popping up but I’m not sure at all.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
well done…you’ve nailed 3 of the 7 verses…
I tossed and turned with the opening line but opted for the former..I d like that alternate opening line..it may lead to another song
Rhyming ran-tan-tan with John Spillane – Excellent
How did the difficult third verse follydat ?
Christy's reply
“Heres Caitriona Twomey,comin up The Mall
to cook the Penny Dinner,to feed the great and small
and there goes Don O’Leary on the road to Sunday’s Well
up to The Cork Life Centre to ring the Morning Bell”
Dearest Christy, thank you for an incredible night in the Marquee. What a show!!! You are a gentleman and a genius. Tears streamed down my face to the lyrics of The Voyage and we roared with laughter at The Big Marquee. Cork needed a CM song all of its own!! Stay safe and well Christy. Le go leor grá ~ Ruth, Daragh and our heavenly guardian-angel Chloë May (CM) Xx
Christy's reply
Thanks Ruth for bringing the memory of Chloe May back to the 4711ers site..her light still shining bright in your sad hearts…very best to You & Daragh
Ah Hitch-Hicking Christy, those were the days. Hop into a Car , Van or Truck with whoever was good enough to stop. I got a lift in a Cattle truck once, and he had a load of signs behind the seats belonging to the many hitch-hickers he had carried over the years. On my first occasion to hear your good self, I hitched to Mullingar and back, My poor Mother was beside herself with worry….. her Boy gone off to hear all them long Haired Fellas….. little did she know what it all started,,,,, a lifetime of love for your music and songs.
Ride onn
Patsy
Hi Christy, great gig in the Marquee . . . two sons brought the old fellah for his birthday . . . left a book for ye with the sound man (hope he’s a sound bloke!) . . . please God ye got it.
Christy's reply
I have the book here under the pillow…David is sound
Hi Christy,
The set list expandin’ and expoundin’ at a rate of knots.
The full panel used to great effect. Some disappointed songs left behind in the workshop. But Jaysus lads this isn’t Junior B.
It’s the fecking Marquee. In Cork like. Look at the effort young Casey put in to get his start. Getting hard to leave Lyra McKee,
Lemons 7 and Pagan Ritual from the first fifteen. A full back line of Chicago, Quinte and Ride On takes some beating.
Derry an Beeswing solid as always around the middle of the park. Up top Ordinary Man, DTs and The Voyage scoring for fun. When you can call on Nancy, Joxer and Lisdoon to empty the bench you’re home and hosed. Cad faoi The Big Marquee ?
In contention for Amhran na Ceolchoirme and only its third time out. Hope its fit to travel West for the second weekend of September. How does the second verse go ?
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
2nd Verse of “The Big Marquee”
“Puccini ‘s in The Opera House, Karl Marx in The Connolly Hall
Joe Mac ‘s in The Arcadia, The Two Norries are on the ball
Maggie Barry’s on The Coal Quay, Jimmy Crowley’s on the ran-tan-tan
Sound as a Bell, Hank Wedell and The Maestro John Spillane….”
Dont you recite those Latin lines to the Rose of Tralee, now a garda, who’s stopped you, oh is it just off the ferry in Dublin docks?! The song this is. Having not having not learnt Latin, already mentioned, one morning myself and fellow altar boy still managed upon genuflecting at the high altar, us both realising we were on the same side as the priest. We were supposed to be each side of the priest. (Consternation in my poor young head!) One was imagining letters going to Rome about this upstart server & Cardinal Ratzinger sending replies back.
Oh, those days of carefree and being young thumbing around Britain eh!?
Christy's reply
not a tall Ed…
in “Me & The Rose” I sang the opening refrain of the “Kyrie eleison”…..
Dear Christy, less than 2 hours east from Helsinki along the coast, there is a small town called Hamina. It is a place where the biggest crime is a stolen unlocked bike, extreme tuning of a 50cc, and a lost family dog. With a total population of 20,000, at least once a week, social media goes mad because Max or Charlie has disappeared again. I bring you the warmest greetings! Such a privilege to see the master at work at The Slieve Russell this upcoming Friday. All the best! – Eric”
Christy's reply
Eric…. 20,000 is a big town over here…. I found a dog once.. I called him “Mountain”…a lovely big mad wild fucker of a dog..he followed me everywhere until he got pneumonia from jumpin into The Liffey….see you in Slieve Russell
Hello Christy,
That’s a marathon hitchhike you did from Bristol to Carlisle. It’s long and complicated enough by train. Was the FG180 electroacoustic? I know it was a good one to play.
Last couple of weeks I’ve been listening to your Live from Vicar Street album every day. It’s not often we get to hear you Donal and Declan together, all on the same stage.
My favourite second hand book shop is probably Barter Books in Alnwick. It fills the whole of the old railway station. I swear you can get to Narnia down those endless shelves of treasure.
I’ve had a rootle around for Martin Leahy’s Snowflakes. I think he must have only shared it with you. Looking forward to hearing it.
Thankyou for the detailed set list.
I’m glad to see Casey back there, after so long.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
there was a brilliant folk club in Alnwick in the 1960s..run by a guy called Doug..it was unique… I loved playing there it flew the Blue Star too
Catching up on these posts.
I served mass but never learnt Latin. I joined up as all the changes were taking place. Lucky me. So, little Latin acquired by me.
Peter Hames, the writer of that great song. Rest in Peace.
The ‘Settle to Carlisle railway’, that name rings a stong bell.
Tis a pity indeed and sad about bookshops, R, how many are buying online? Ruining small bookshops and plenty more small businesses besides.
Christy's reply
Ita Missa Est
Gloria tibi Domine
et cum spiritu tuo
I hitched from Bristol to Carlisle once…myself, sleeping bag and Yamaha FG180…got there in time for the gig.. following day hitched across to Newcastle-on-Tyne for a gig with The High Level Ranters….a grand wee lump of Nepalese keeping me company…
then I gathered £50 together and purchased my first chariot..a 1960 bent and battered mini-van….the unequalled love and pride I had in that auld banger….I bought it, after hours, in The Pack Horse Inn,Birtle, Nr Bury, Lancs from Reg Nuttall, a plumber who smoked cheroots….a decent man who allowed me pay him in instalments
Hi Christy,
The box set has a couple of gems that each appear twice in it.
Scapegoats, and Hey Ronnie Reagan.
The are both more than worthy double entrants.
Seeing your set list from Cork, have you ever played the same song twice in the same set, in error or on demand?
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
In the early days of Planxty we had “the bare set”
in earlier years ,when playing in Bands, we were sometimes limited to our initial repertoire…maybe 14 or 15 pieces….when invited to encore we would replay our most popular numbers….
Thankfully,with passing years , that is no longer the case…..these days there is a gathered repertoire of songs gleaned from 56 years of gigging…..some are constant, others pop up unexpectedly …..
one night,a few years back , I did sing Nancy Spain twice…..I realised it half way thru the opening verse but decided to keep going
In Cork last Saturday, I exited the stage singing the chorus of “The Big Marquee” …a brand new song, yet “The Rebel ” sang it with me …..they’re quick learners, those blood & bandage Leesiders
Hi Christy, sounds like the sunny banks of the Lee was the place to be, mind you no surprise there. We’ve tickets for your return to the Orchard County a bhuí le Hilary. Recently, a friend sent a picture taken at Spanish Point and it arrived From Clare to Here in seconds! Never get tired listening to this beautiful song. Brought me back to Planxty reunion gigs in 2004 and in the words of Leagues O’Toole ‘an event of some considerable historical and cultural magnitude’. With all-Ireland train passes in our pockets we’re thinking of Heuston and along the tracks to the West Coast of Clare – at our leisure of course gone are the days of hitchhiking.
Christy's reply
We will have many readers here who’ve never seen that word before
HITCH-HIKING
who’ve never enjoyed care free years of hitchin hither and tither to sessions, fleadhs, gigs, dates ,romantic liasons, card games, race meetings and whatever you’re having yourself…
in the late 50s myself and The Meg McGowan would set off hitchin….our destination being wherever our lift was heading…we might have the price of two bottles of stout between us, but we were apprentice panhandlers and good fortune was always our destiny..
most youngsters nowadays have much more to cope with…pass ports,guaranteed air B&B, smartphones, sun block, credit cards,worried parents,lotsa clobber,world wide destinations, visas, return tickets, zzzzzz
would I swop places with them….absolutely not…
gimme Naas, Kildare, Portlaois, Kilcullen, Boyle, Prosperous, give me porter, ballads and hay-barns…. who cares if the arse is half out of your trousars…..where we gonna hitch this weekend Meg ?
Hi C. CONGRATULATIONS on a wonderful gig in the Tent. The excitement was palpable, people were in early, the sun was shinning. Then when the lights went down and you came on stage and declared ” Sat night packed in tight all together in the Big Marquee by the banks of the River Lee, Up The Rebel, Up the Rebel” the stage was set for a mighty night. Then you exhorted the assembled to “Sing with me ” with City of Chicago followed by Quinta Brigada, after that there was no going back !! Talk about feeling the love in the room, the respect, the Tent Choir in great voice, the listening to the quiet new songs, did everyone there know all the words ?? You acknowledged the local heroes in the audience from Don O Leary, to the 2 Norries and the Bard of Cork himself John Spillane and his bandmate Martin Leahy and numerous others in the new Cork song, as well as all the crew who made the gig possible. Special credit is due to Johnny, Davey, Jeff and Dickon for their work on this massive gig, it certainly is the nearest thing to an Irish Barrowlands, even to the crowd chanting as we exited, all 4,000 of us and not a hint of any hassle. GRMMA, beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Thank You Hilary…You describe it well…here goes
1. Chicago………………….Luka Bloom
2.Quinte…………………….CM
3.Johnny Boy…………………Gary Moore
4. Ride On…………………..Jimmy MacCarthy
5. The Big Marquee……………CM
6.Patrick Murphy……………..John Spillane
7. Lemon Sevens………………Briany Brannigan
8.Lingo Politico……………..Pat Quinn
9. North & South……………..CM/Bono/The Edge
10.Casey…………………….Martin Egan
11.Biko Drum…………………Wally Page
12.Black is The Colour………..Trad-CM
13.On The Mainland……………CM
14. Back Home in Derry………..Bobby Sands/Gordon Lightfoot
15. Snowflakes……………….Martin Leahy
16.Beeswing………………….Richard Thompson
17.Delerium Tremens…………..CM
18.Amsterdam…………………Paul McCormack/ Barney Rushe
19.Lyra McKee………………..James Cramer
20.Well Below The Valley………Trad/CM
21.Pagan Ritual………………Albert Niland
22.Sonny’s Dream……………..Ron Hynes
23.Ordinary Man ****………….Peter Hames
24.The Voyage………………..Johnny Duhan
25.Lisdoonvarna………………CM
26. Nancy Spain………………Barney Rushe
27. Joxer……………………CM
1 hour 45 minutes
****I’ve just heard the sad news of the passing of Peter Hames who wrote “The Ballad of an Ordinary Man” back in 1983 and shared it with me generously…His great song has become hugely popular here in Ireland…last night 4,000 people sang it with me in Cork..Rest in Peace Peter….we send our condolences to Anne and their Family
Good morning Christy, thank you so much for a brilliant night in the tent. the energy you put out last night was unreal ,myself and Emma , Hilary and Dave sang the night away .. it surely was one of the greatest nights in the tent.. thanks again and safe travels .. Tony , emma..
Christy's reply
sound Tony and Emma….that Tent beats all…..long may it be re-erected..long may we have the stamina and enthusiasm to come together by the Lee
Hello Christy,
Oh I wish I’d been there. Galway is getting closer. 9th September is the day we’ll be there. It sounds like it was a wonderful family affair last night.
“Saturday night,packed in tight,all together in the big Marquee”
Your words make me feel happy.
Steve’s pipes teacher was poorly yesterday so we didn’t get to Settle. I found a second hand bookshop in Slaithwaite (we say slath-wait, or sla’wit) round here. So we set off. When we got there the place was all locked up and dark. The woman in the mystic crystal shop next door said it’s closing down. We’re losing bookshops round here. So few secondhand bookshops left. I don’t get it. They’re such a joy to spend time in. So I bought candles and played a hairy cowskin bodhran in the mystic shop. The skin was lashed to the frame with a complicated stringing system. It sounded lovely.
Ed, I think it’s the Settle to Carlisle railway you’re thinking off. Yes, it’s still chugging along. I went on it as a child. There’s the ribble head viaduct which the train goes over. I remember beautiful red stone in Carlisle.
Well Christy it seems ages since I’ve been in touch! Although seen you a hundred times since I last posted I just didn’t get around to it. Well I’m waking up in limerick after The Marquee last night:- it was fantastic I must say- the energy in the Tent was magical. Loved the new chant Packed in Tight’ it’s something that will live on for years.
Sean my son brought me- he’s a performer on the music scene too- he loved your set – always learning for his own gigs. Thanks again big man and I’ll check in more often. Jim
Christy's reply
Good luck to Sean..hope he is enjoying his music…I too l earned from many old hands back in the 60s…lessons I still retain and practice, practice,practice
I’ve been off & about visiting my new grandson (2 of 2) & his Ma, my darlin’ daughter & hubby, so haven’t been dabbling in this spirit for a while…
I see you’re all still up & at it – great to see
The shows reviews sound magnificent – well done to you all…
Cool here, desert town winter cold
Stay in tune & the smiles shine through
I love this site
Besta
Danny Harris
Christy's reply
Summertime here in Bognia….the festivities are in full swing….hope it soon warms up for you in that cool Desert Town….Sting,Blondie, Depeche Mode and Clapton all flying in and out this week but we are holding our own….good man Danny..keep coming back and tell us more
Dear Christy..
Thank you so much for another unforgettable evening, full of your art, your music your energy..Your new songs are very good, the well known brilliant as always. I am impressed and happy, that I could have that experience at the mighty big Marquee ..
Thanks for mentioning our names, it is good to feel the positive reaction and comments from many people sitting close to us..I tell them, that we come all that way..because we love your music..
Dear Christy, today is my birthday, before I go to sleep now, I listen to one of my favourite songs: So do I..
A beautiful, calming cradlesong for me now..
All the best..
Keep safe an well..
Herzliche Grüße, also from Barbara and Evelin..
Christy's reply
Thank you for making the journey from Frankfurt to Cork…..I’m still buzzing from last nights soiree by the River Lee….from the Alte Opera to the Big Marquee…safe home
It’s a hit.
Where’s the bould Ronan Collins when we needed him most ?
lets hope he visits regularly….he’s been a great champion
Hello Christy,
OK, detective Rebecca is on the case. I feel like I’m doing an exam…
Here’s what I’ve gleaned. Hope it’s not all completely wrong…
V1
Saturday night,packed in tight,all together in the big Marquee
the man from the Cork Examiner comes up and sez to me
how come you keep comin back to The Rebel every year
the answer’s plain and simple Mick*,the reason ‘s very clear
CHORUS
The Banks! The Banks! The Beautiful Banks!
The Banks of The River Lee
Saturday Night,We’re backed in tight
All together in The Big Marquee”
V3
Puccini ‘s in The Opera House, Karl Marx in The Connolly Hall
Joe Mac ‘s in The Arcadia, The Two Norries are on the ball
Maggie Barry’s on The Coal Quay, Jimmy Crowley’s on the ran-tan-tan
Sound as a Bell, Hank Wedell and The Maestro John Spillane…
The Banks! The Banks! The Beautiful Banks!
The Banks of The River Lee
Saturday Night,We’re backed in tight
All together in The Big Marquee”
V7
The Lonely Woods of Upton, The Boys of Fairhill,
The Piper of Crossbarry, I hear him still,
I see the Blood and Bandage, I hear The Rebel Sing,
I’m gonna kiss that Blarney Stone when the Bells of Shandon Ring”
The Banks! The Banks! The Beautiful Banks!
The Banks of The River Lee
Saturday Night,We’re backed in tight
All together in The Big Marquee”
(*** Mick Clifford)
alt opening line
There’s an eagle down in Skibbereen, a Kerryman in Tralee…
—
How’s it going?
I’m wondering about a tune.
Ruby Walsh keeps popping up but I’m not sure at all.
Rebecca
well done…you’ve nailed 3 of the 7 verses…
I tossed and turned with the opening line but opted for the former..I d like that alternate opening line..it may lead to another song
Rhyming ran-tan-tan with John Spillane – Excellent
How did the difficult third verse follydat ?
“Heres Caitriona Twomey,comin up The Mall
to cook the Penny Dinner,to feed the great and small
and there goes Don O’Leary on the road to Sunday’s Well
up to The Cork Life Centre to ring the Morning Bell”
Dearest Christy, thank you for an incredible night in the Marquee. What a show!!! You are a gentleman and a genius. Tears streamed down my face to the lyrics of The Voyage and we roared with laughter at The Big Marquee. Cork needed a CM song all of its own!! Stay safe and well Christy. Le go leor grá ~ Ruth, Daragh and our heavenly guardian-angel Chloë May (CM) Xx
Thanks Ruth for bringing the memory of Chloe May back to the 4711ers site..her light still shining bright in your sad hearts…very best to You & Daragh
Aw, Patsy, I love it! Meet your cousin.
Ah Hitch-Hicking Christy, those were the days. Hop into a Car , Van or Truck with whoever was good enough to stop. I got a lift in a Cattle truck once, and he had a load of signs behind the seats belonging to the many hitch-hickers he had carried over the years. On my first occasion to hear your good self, I hitched to Mullingar and back, My poor Mother was beside herself with worry….. her Boy gone off to hear all them long Haired Fellas….. little did she know what it all started,,,,, a lifetime of love for your music and songs.
Ride onn
Patsy
Hi Christy, great gig in the Marquee . . . two sons brought the old fellah for his birthday . . . left a book for ye with the sound man (hope he’s a sound bloke!) . . . please God ye got it.
I have the book here under the pillow…David is sound
Hi Christy,
The set list expandin’ and expoundin’ at a rate of knots.
The full panel used to great effect. Some disappointed songs left behind in the workshop. But Jaysus lads this isn’t Junior B.
It’s the fecking Marquee. In Cork like. Look at the effort young Casey put in to get his start. Getting hard to leave Lyra McKee,
Lemons 7 and Pagan Ritual from the first fifteen. A full back line of Chicago, Quinte and Ride On takes some beating.
Derry an Beeswing solid as always around the middle of the park. Up top Ordinary Man, DTs and The Voyage scoring for fun. When you can call on Nancy, Joxer and Lisdoon to empty the bench you’re home and hosed. Cad faoi The Big Marquee ?
In contention for Amhran na Ceolchoirme and only its third time out. Hope its fit to travel West for the second weekend of September. How does the second verse go ?
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
2nd Verse of “The Big Marquee”
“Puccini ‘s in The Opera House, Karl Marx in The Connolly Hall
Joe Mac ‘s in The Arcadia, The Two Norries are on the ball
Maggie Barry’s on The Coal Quay, Jimmy Crowley’s on the ran-tan-tan
Sound as a Bell, Hank Wedell and The Maestro John Spillane….”
Dont you recite those Latin lines to the Rose of Tralee, now a garda, who’s stopped you, oh is it just off the ferry in Dublin docks?! The song this is. Having not having not learnt Latin, already mentioned, one morning myself and fellow altar boy still managed upon genuflecting at the high altar, us both realising we were on the same side as the priest. We were supposed to be each side of the priest. (Consternation in my poor young head!) One was imagining letters going to Rome about this upstart server & Cardinal Ratzinger sending replies back.
Oh, those days of carefree and being young thumbing around Britain eh!?
not a tall Ed…
in “Me & The Rose” I sang the opening refrain of the “Kyrie eleison”…..
Dear Christy, less than 2 hours east from Helsinki along the coast, there is a small town called Hamina. It is a place where the biggest crime is a stolen unlocked bike, extreme tuning of a 50cc, and a lost family dog. With a total population of 20,000, at least once a week, social media goes mad because Max or Charlie has disappeared again. I bring you the warmest greetings! Such a privilege to see the master at work at The Slieve Russell this upcoming Friday. All the best! – Eric”
Eric…. 20,000 is a big town over here…. I found a dog once.. I called him “Mountain”…a lovely big mad wild fucker of a dog..he followed me everywhere until he got pneumonia from jumpin into The Liffey….see you in Slieve Russell
Hello Christy,
That’s a marathon hitchhike you did from Bristol to Carlisle. It’s long and complicated enough by train. Was the FG180 electroacoustic? I know it was a good one to play.
Last couple of weeks I’ve been listening to your Live from Vicar Street album every day. It’s not often we get to hear you Donal and Declan together, all on the same stage.
My favourite second hand book shop is probably Barter Books in Alnwick. It fills the whole of the old railway station. I swear you can get to Narnia down those endless shelves of treasure.
I’ve had a rootle around for Martin Leahy’s Snowflakes. I think he must have only shared it with you. Looking forward to hearing it.
Thankyou for the detailed set list.
I’m glad to see Casey back there, after so long.
Rebecca
there was a brilliant folk club in Alnwick in the 1960s..run by a guy called Doug..it was unique… I loved playing there it flew the Blue Star too
Catching up on these posts.
I served mass but never learnt Latin. I joined up as all the changes were taking place. Lucky me. So, little Latin acquired by me.
Peter Hames, the writer of that great song. Rest in Peace.
The ‘Settle to Carlisle railway’, that name rings a stong bell.
Tis a pity indeed and sad about bookshops, R, how many are buying online? Ruining small bookshops and plenty more small businesses besides.
Ita Missa Est
Gloria tibi Domine
et cum spiritu tuo
I hitched from Bristol to Carlisle once…myself, sleeping bag and Yamaha FG180…got there in time for the gig.. following day hitched across to Newcastle-on-Tyne for a gig with The High Level Ranters….a grand wee lump of Nepalese keeping me company…
then I gathered £50 together and purchased my first chariot..a 1960 bent and battered mini-van….the unequalled love and pride I had in that auld banger….I bought it, after hours, in The Pack Horse Inn,Birtle, Nr Bury, Lancs from Reg Nuttall, a plumber who smoked cheroots….a decent man who allowed me pay him in instalments
Hi Christy,
The box set has a couple of gems that each appear twice in it.
Scapegoats, and Hey Ronnie Reagan.
The are both more than worthy double entrants.
Seeing your set list from Cork, have you ever played the same song twice in the same set, in error or on demand?
Cheers
Rory
In the early days of Planxty we had “the bare set”
in earlier years ,when playing in Bands, we were sometimes limited to our initial repertoire…maybe 14 or 15 pieces….when invited to encore we would replay our most popular numbers….
Thankfully,with passing years , that is no longer the case…..these days there is a gathered repertoire of songs gleaned from 56 years of gigging…..some are constant, others pop up unexpectedly …..
one night,a few years back , I did sing Nancy Spain twice…..I realised it half way thru the opening verse but decided to keep going
In Cork last Saturday, I exited the stage singing the chorus of “The Big Marquee” …a brand new song, yet “The Rebel ” sang it with me …..they’re quick learners, those blood & bandage Leesiders
Hi Christy, sounds like the sunny banks of the Lee was the place to be, mind you no surprise there. We’ve tickets for your return to the Orchard County a bhuí le Hilary. Recently, a friend sent a picture taken at Spanish Point and it arrived From Clare to Here in seconds! Never get tired listening to this beautiful song. Brought me back to Planxty reunion gigs in 2004 and in the words of Leagues O’Toole ‘an event of some considerable historical and cultural magnitude’. With all-Ireland train passes in our pockets we’re thinking of Heuston and along the tracks to the West Coast of Clare – at our leisure of course gone are the days of hitchhiking.
We will have many readers here who’ve never seen that word before
HITCH-HIKING
who’ve never enjoyed care free years of hitchin hither and tither to sessions, fleadhs, gigs, dates ,romantic liasons, card games, race meetings and whatever you’re having yourself…
in the late 50s myself and The Meg McGowan would set off hitchin….our destination being wherever our lift was heading…we might have the price of two bottles of stout between us, but we were apprentice panhandlers and good fortune was always our destiny..
most youngsters nowadays have much more to cope with…pass ports,guaranteed air B&B, smartphones, sun block, credit cards,worried parents,lotsa clobber,world wide destinations, visas, return tickets, zzzzzz
would I swop places with them….absolutely not…
gimme Naas, Kildare, Portlaois, Kilcullen, Boyle, Prosperous, give me porter, ballads and hay-barns…. who cares if the arse is half out of your trousars…..where we gonna hitch this weekend Meg ?
Hi C. CONGRATULATIONS on a wonderful gig in the Tent. The excitement was palpable, people were in early, the sun was shinning. Then when the lights went down and you came on stage and declared ” Sat night packed in tight all together in the Big Marquee by the banks of the River Lee, Up The Rebel, Up the Rebel” the stage was set for a mighty night. Then you exhorted the assembled to “Sing with me ” with City of Chicago followed by Quinta Brigada, after that there was no going back !! Talk about feeling the love in the room, the respect, the Tent Choir in great voice, the listening to the quiet new songs, did everyone there know all the words ?? You acknowledged the local heroes in the audience from Don O Leary, to the 2 Norries and the Bard of Cork himself John Spillane and his bandmate Martin Leahy and numerous others in the new Cork song, as well as all the crew who made the gig possible. Special credit is due to Johnny, Davey, Jeff and Dickon for their work on this massive gig, it certainly is the nearest thing to an Irish Barrowlands, even to the crowd chanting as we exited, all 4,000 of us and not a hint of any hassle. GRMMA, beir bua agus beannacht. H
Thank You Hilary…You describe it well…here goes
1. Chicago………………….Luka Bloom
2.Quinte…………………….CM
3.Johnny Boy…………………Gary Moore
4. Ride On…………………..Jimmy MacCarthy
5. The Big Marquee……………CM
6.Patrick Murphy……………..John Spillane
7. Lemon Sevens………………Briany Brannigan
8.Lingo Politico……………..Pat Quinn
9. North & South……………..CM/Bono/The Edge
10.Casey…………………….Martin Egan
11.Biko Drum…………………Wally Page
12.Black is The Colour………..Trad-CM
13.On The Mainland……………CM
14. Back Home in Derry………..Bobby Sands/Gordon Lightfoot
15. Snowflakes……………….Martin Leahy
16.Beeswing………………….Richard Thompson
17.Delerium Tremens…………..CM
18.Amsterdam…………………Paul McCormack/ Barney Rushe
19.Lyra McKee………………..James Cramer
20.Well Below The Valley………Trad/CM
21.Pagan Ritual………………Albert Niland
22.Sonny’s Dream……………..Ron Hynes
23.Ordinary Man ****………….Peter Hames
24.The Voyage………………..Johnny Duhan
25.Lisdoonvarna………………CM
26. Nancy Spain………………Barney Rushe
27. Joxer……………………CM
1 hour 45 minutes
****I’ve just heard the sad news of the passing of Peter Hames who wrote “The Ballad of an Ordinary Man” back in 1983 and shared it with me generously…His great song has become hugely popular here in Ireland…last night 4,000 people sang it with me in Cork..Rest in Peace Peter….we send our condolences to Anne and their Family
Good morning Christy, thank you so much for a brilliant night in the tent. the energy you put out last night was unreal ,myself and Emma , Hilary and Dave sang the night away .. it surely was one of the greatest nights in the tent.. thanks again and safe travels .. Tony , emma..
sound Tony and Emma….that Tent beats all…..long may it be re-erected..long may we have the stamina and enthusiasm to come together by the Lee
Hello Christy,
Oh I wish I’d been there. Galway is getting closer. 9th September is the day we’ll be there. It sounds like it was a wonderful family affair last night.
“Saturday night,packed in tight,all together in the big Marquee”
Your words make me feel happy.
Steve’s pipes teacher was poorly yesterday so we didn’t get to Settle. I found a second hand bookshop in Slaithwaite (we say slath-wait, or sla’wit) round here. So we set off. When we got there the place was all locked up and dark. The woman in the mystic crystal shop next door said it’s closing down. We’re losing bookshops round here. So few secondhand bookshops left. I don’t get it. They’re such a joy to spend time in. So I bought candles and played a hairy cowskin bodhran in the mystic shop. The skin was lashed to the frame with a complicated stringing system. It sounded lovely.
Ed, I think it’s the Settle to Carlisle railway you’re thinking off. Yes, it’s still chugging along. I went on it as a child. There’s the ribble head viaduct which the train goes over. I remember beautiful red stone in Carlisle.
Rebecca
Sla’wit it is then..
Well Christy it seems ages since I’ve been in touch! Although seen you a hundred times since I last posted I just didn’t get around to it. Well I’m waking up in limerick after The Marquee last night:- it was fantastic I must say- the energy in the Tent was magical. Loved the new chant Packed in Tight’ it’s something that will live on for years.
Sean my son brought me- he’s a performer on the music scene too- he loved your set – always learning for his own gigs. Thanks again big man and I’ll check in more often. Jim
Good luck to Sean..hope he is enjoying his music…I too l earned from many old hands back in the 60s…lessons I still retain and practice, practice,practice
G’day Christy & you mob:
I’ve been off & about visiting my new grandson (2 of 2) & his Ma, my darlin’ daughter & hubby, so haven’t been dabbling in this spirit for a while…
I see you’re all still up & at it – great to see
The shows reviews sound magnificent – well done to you all…
Cool here, desert town winter cold
Stay in tune & the smiles shine through
I love this site
Besta
Danny Harris
Summertime here in Bognia….the festivities are in full swing….hope it soon warms up for you in that cool Desert Town….Sting,Blondie, Depeche Mode and Clapton all flying in and out this week but we are holding our own….good man Danny..keep coming back and tell us more
Dear Christy..
Thank you so much for another unforgettable evening, full of your art, your music your energy..Your new songs are very good, the well known brilliant as always. I am impressed and happy, that I could have that experience at the mighty big Marquee ..
Thanks for mentioning our names, it is good to feel the positive reaction and comments from many people sitting close to us..I tell them, that we come all that way..because we love your music..
Dear Christy, today is my birthday, before I go to sleep now, I listen to one of my favourite songs: So do I..
A beautiful, calming cradlesong for me now..
All the best..
Keep safe an well..
Herzliche Grüße, also from Barbara and Evelin..
Thank you for making the journey from Frankfurt to Cork…..I’m still buzzing from last nights soiree by the River Lee….from the Alte Opera to the Big Marquee…safe home