Hello Christy,
I’m glad you posted up the full verse with your own explanation. Kind of turns it into a record. Google finds things in the guestbook, so it’s accessible to people now. Is that why we call a recording a record…? Is it ok to ask what the alligator is please?
Salt. Yack! No wonder the old woman never went to sleep!
The F chord is working. All four fingers have given in and started to behave. I was so proud of myself I called Steve and made him listen to it! So, as you said, conquer and move on. Wondering how I can tie my hands in knots today…!
Dear Christy,
I was taken to see the Giants Causeway on Monday, it is a world heritage site but there were so many tourists clambering, unhindered, across the stacks that it is clear to see that they are weating them down. I was horrified. The Colloseum does not allow human ants to clamber all over its face to scuff and pick to trail and scart but the causeway’s beauty is being eroded by millions of doctor martens and adidas…..i suppose we all belong here but heavens have we no thought that she came along millions of years before us?
Anyways i heard the grandaughter of the pecker dunne sing and it was a thing of beauty, lilting away, and i spoke with her of Margaret Barry and of John Reilly, she is keeping the flame growing beautifully.
Today before i go racing i shall drive to Dunlavin Green to pay respect, on Sunday i visited the memorial at Toome to remember Roddy McCorley.
Niamh’s voice still playing in my head.
Stay well
Rory
Mention of Irish emigration to England and the nursing profession, in DH Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, a nurse who attends to a guy, a character Dawes, he’s in hospital, a nurse who tends to him is Irish. That book is 113 years old this year.
Hi Christy,
I thought Joe Brolly did a mighty version
of The Salt on The Free State podcast
And would like to share the lyrics with the Guestbook…
When I was a smashing young fellow
My age it was just seventeen
I hired myself to a farmer
At the horse fair at the Ballinascreen
His farm was way up in the mountains
It was there among heather and bog
And the stock that I had to look after
Were a donkey, a goat and a dog
The master turned out an old skinflint
His heart was as hard as a stone
He worked me from daylight to darkness
In a month I was just skin and bone
We never ate nothing but porridge
He said it would make me a man
It very near made me a dead one
We supped it straight out of the pan
The master and me and his mother
We lived in this tumble down shack
The woman was well over ninety
And her bones were beginning to crack
She sat on a chair by the fire
She never would go to her bed
And when I arose every morning
She was sitting there nodding her head
We had three old hens and a rooster
One day they all died in their coup
He plucked them and boiled them an salted them
And we lived for a week of the soup
Misfortunes they never come single
For next day the old nanny goat died
He skinned her and boiled her and salted her
Then made himself shoes from the hide
I thought that his mind was affected
I thought that his mind was insane
Poor Fido he died of distemper
I was sent for the salt once again
When I saw what happened poor Fido
Not a wink did I sleep all that night
And when I arose the next morning
I got the most terrible fright
The old woman was lying by the fire
As I raced for the door he cried “Halt”
Roaring “Where are you going so early ?”
“Get back here and fetch me the salt”
I went out through the door like a rocket
Down the mountain I ran like a hare
I never stopped running for a fortnight
And I’ve never been since at a fair
It was a fine bit of radio in three parts.
Fair play to yourself and Dion and Joe.
And it was a proper wooden leg …
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Hello Christy
I’ve been keeping my eye on the gigs list and after a while now I will be returning to see your show, all goes well, in Wexford.
I saw you in Lyrath in November however I believe the atmosphere will be outstanding in the Opera House.
Can you recall early visits to the National Opera House? I imagine it must be breathtaking from the stage point of view.
Looking forward to seeing you.
all the best
Christy's reply
every night is different Matty…we never know what way the wind is gonna blow…no doubt the Wexford Opera House is an outstanding and very impressive buiding where I’ve had some great nights…
but they dont become brilliant venues until the listeners arrive and create the atmosphere that we all need to thrive
but there have been great gigs in some hairy auld kips along the way…my outstanding memory of the Old Wexford Opera House 42 years ago…Moving Hearts kicked off, starlings and bats took fright above in the rafters and went shittin all around the place….
Good news… http://www.wildinart.co.uk confirms that the Manchester city centre mosaics trail has been extended until 6/5/24…
The stunning pieces were made by Mark Kennedy,featuring iconic figures connected to Ireland…I narrowly avoided a punch by Katie Taylor,but might chance a duet with Luke Kelly.
Dave
Christy's reply
as Ewan once sang…
“These are more enlightened times”
but then again….
I often wonder
Hello Christy,
Now you’ve got me going. What is that verse you just posted. Love it! Did you write it?
In the meantime,
Here is a master subverting the may day form
Vogon poetry is of course, the third worst in the universe.
The second worst is that of the Azgoths of Kria. During a recitation by their poet master Grunthos the Flatulent of his poem “Ode to a Small Lump of Green Putty I Found in My Armpit One Midsummer Morning” four of his audience died of internal haemorrhaging and the president of the Mid-Galactic Arts Nobbling Council survived by gnawing one of his own legs off. Grunthos was reported to have been “disappointed” by the poem’s reception, and was about to embark on a reading of his 12-book epic entitled “My Favourite Bathtime Gurgles” when his own major intestine, in a desperate attempt to save humanity, leapt straight up through his neck and throttled his brain.
The very worst poetry of all perished along with its creator, Paul Neil Milne Johnstone of Redbridge, in the destruction of the planet Earth. Vogon poetry is mild by comparison.
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Christy's reply
Its an additional verse I wrote of late to “If I Get An Encore”
“When I hit the road with Planxty
days and nights in that transit van
crisscrossing the Nation
from Kildimo we drove to Kilcrohane
Merrily We Kissed The Quaker,lay down with the alligator
as we sailed upon the Lake of Pontchartrain.
O the music and the banter,the sound of Liam Óg’s chanter,
I’ll never hear the likes of Him again”
“Merrily We Kissed The Quaker,
lay down with the alligator
as we sailed upon the Lake of Pontchartrain.
the sound of Liam Óg’s chanter,
the music and the banter
We’ll never hear the likes of Him again”
Dublin’s superb EPIC museum hosts an evening event on 11 May,featuring a doc film,Q and A about Irish nurses in Britain/NHS…
A cause close to my heart…Without meeting a Mayo born,Meath residing,Manchester based student nurse in 1972,my life would have been different…and much less interesting,for sure!
Checking out the topic of Irish nurses in the UK,I see that there has also been a radio broadcast (Angels of Mercy)on ‘Newstalk’,by ex nurse,now broadcaster ,Grainne McPolin…
Brilliant that such research has been done and credit to the generations of nurses who left Ireland to pursue careers in the UK and elsewhere…
There’s a fair bit of online info about the research etc,but I won’t do anymore blathering just now…
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
a well deserved tribute to those who have helped us all with compassion and kindness….
theres no talkin to that Joe Brolly fellow…he fires on all cylinders…I think he’s gone heavy into the Strokestown nuts…bur he’s a fair auld chanter when he gets goin…and a handy forward at the ball in his day…I miss himself and Pat Spillane after devotions of a Sunday evening…..
Hi Christy.. just saw that ahead of the release of their new album ‘No Flowers Grow in Cement Gardens’, A Lazarus Soul will play a headline show at Vicar Street, 26 October 2024.. tickets are now on sale.. Some here will know that you have recently performed great versions of their songs “Black and Amber” and “Lemon 7s”..
Christy's reply
Thanks Kevin…thats a good tip…we’ll be there for The Laz
Hello Christy,
I have a bit of a thing about old books, particularly songbooks. The other day I was in a great junk shop. A small bookcase crammed with old books. I focused in on some great big blue ones. Scots Minstrelries. 3 volumes of them. Full to the brim with old Scottish songs, weighing a ton, cloth bound in dark blue with gold on them.
So I asked the lady, how much are they, I can’t see a price. 50p each! wow! They’re resting on my piano stool till I find them a good spot in a bookcase.
Hi Christy,
By all accounts Derry was hopping for the 2 nights.
Such a special and monumental few days we have had in the past week.
I was listening to the Joe podcast over the weekend, and I had a right few Belly laughs.
Refreshing to hear you call your parents “Mammy” and “Daddy”….unfortunately them words are fast disappearing from the vocabulary as our generations pass.
Looking forward to NCH.
Ride Onn.
Patsy
Hi Christy
2 nights in Bellaghy, music, craic, sightseeing, a drink or two, the homeplace, great trip and spoke to Declan McLaughlin too who has some great albums and songs.
Made the tea for us tonight to the yellow disc , fine array of protest songs…the thing that keeps us sane.
Keep on keeping on
Rory
Ps tomorrow down to see if Ruby’s ballad works for Jack Kennedy at Punchestown
Just wanted to mention an interview,I saw by achance link…Guy Garvey (Elbow band) on the Tommy Tiernan Show,recently…
One of Burys finest exports…dry humour,ace wordsmith and fascinating Garvey family. I realise many here may well have seen the programme,but worth checking it out….
I’ve enjoyed GG’s lyrics for years….sung so well in a tight band
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
Gigg Lane, Black Puddin, Valley Folk, John Wiilie Lees
Just want to say how amazing the two Derry gigs were…. so many great songs , Stardust families and Bloody Sunday families remembered….. Lyra too.
In Palestine is such a strong song with a lovely melody…..
Great audiences , Great venue… Great Gigs.
Keep coming back , the Derry Air agrees well with you.
Thinking of good fortune,music and raised spirits,having watched repeats of YouTube/ Dolly Parton’s homage to Tom Petty…song and film of his superb ‘Southern Accents’
I love TP’s work and Dolly’s ethos…today,there’s a fine mix…
Hi christy,
Awaiting the ferry at stranraer for a few days of friends, poetry, history and punchestown all rolled into 6 days sandwiched between a magnificent 32-29 victory for Hawick rfc at Murrayfield last night in the scottish cup and next saturday’s league cup final ( having already won the league)….what a grand time. I am lucky.
When luck works we should not forget those for whom luck never came anywhere near it saccho and vanzetti, tim evans, nicky kelly, birmingham six…….
Song can provide some help to heal.
Rory
Christy's reply
welcome back Rory…you were spotted in Bellaghy….hope you have a good day at Punchestown today and clean out Paddy Power
Hi C. Well done on two really lively and totally different gigs in Derry, such a range of songs across the two nights, from hilarious to feminist from protest to deadly serious. You certainly connected with the listeners from the very start, the welcome was really palpable. IF those Walls could talk from Back Home in Derry to Minds Locked Shut and Lyra. I think it is a very brave to call out the ” dissidents who are not for leaving ” , ” the men who killed her “. Then to hear the a cappella version of Boy from Tamlaghduff as the encore song on Thurs was spine tingling. GRMMA. There is often talk of the film here, earlier today I saw ” That They May Face the Rising Sun” one of my all time favourite books. It is really wonderful cinematography, and very faithful to the spirit of the book produced by Pat Collins who also gave us Song of Granite. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
hopin to catch that today…
its always a pleasure to walk the walls
Hello Christy,
I’m glad you posted up the full verse with your own explanation. Kind of turns it into a record. Google finds things in the guestbook, so it’s accessible to people now. Is that why we call a recording a record…? Is it ok to ask what the alligator is please?
Salt. Yack! No wonder the old woman never went to sleep!
The F chord is working. All four fingers have given in and started to behave. I was so proud of myself I called Steve and made him listen to it! So, as you said, conquer and move on. Wondering how I can tie my hands in knots today…!
Those mosaics in Manchester look great.
Rebecca
Dear Christy,
I was taken to see the Giants Causeway on Monday, it is a world heritage site but there were so many tourists clambering, unhindered, across the stacks that it is clear to see that they are weating them down. I was horrified. The Colloseum does not allow human ants to clamber all over its face to scuff and pick to trail and scart but the causeway’s beauty is being eroded by millions of doctor martens and adidas…..i suppose we all belong here but heavens have we no thought that she came along millions of years before us?
Anyways i heard the grandaughter of the pecker dunne sing and it was a thing of beauty, lilting away, and i spoke with her of Margaret Barry and of John Reilly, she is keeping the flame growing beautifully.
Today before i go racing i shall drive to Dunlavin Green to pay respect, on Sunday i visited the memorial at Toome to remember Roddy McCorley.
Niamh’s voice still playing in my head.
Stay well
Rory
Mention of Irish emigration to England and the nursing profession, in DH Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, a nurse who attends to a guy, a character Dawes, he’s in hospital, a nurse who tends to him is Irish. That book is 113 years old this year.
Hi Christy,
I thought Joe Brolly did a mighty version
of The Salt on The Free State podcast
And would like to share the lyrics with the Guestbook…
When I was a smashing young fellow
My age it was just seventeen
I hired myself to a farmer
At the horse fair at the Ballinascreen
His farm was way up in the mountains
It was there among heather and bog
And the stock that I had to look after
Were a donkey, a goat and a dog
The master turned out an old skinflint
His heart was as hard as a stone
He worked me from daylight to darkness
In a month I was just skin and bone
We never ate nothing but porridge
He said it would make me a man
It very near made me a dead one
We supped it straight out of the pan
The master and me and his mother
We lived in this tumble down shack
The woman was well over ninety
And her bones were beginning to crack
She sat on a chair by the fire
She never would go to her bed
And when I arose every morning
She was sitting there nodding her head
We had three old hens and a rooster
One day they all died in their coup
He plucked them and boiled them an salted them
And we lived for a week of the soup
Misfortunes they never come single
For next day the old nanny goat died
He skinned her and boiled her and salted her
Then made himself shoes from the hide
I thought that his mind was affected
I thought that his mind was insane
Poor Fido he died of distemper
I was sent for the salt once again
When I saw what happened poor Fido
Not a wink did I sleep all that night
And when I arose the next morning
I got the most terrible fright
The old woman was lying by the fire
As I raced for the door he cried “Halt”
Roaring “Where are you going so early ?”
“Get back here and fetch me the salt”
I went out through the door like a rocket
Down the mountain I ran like a hare
I never stopped running for a fortnight
And I’ve never been since at a fair
It was a fine bit of radio in three parts.
Fair play to yourself and Dion and Joe.
And it was a proper wooden leg …
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Hello Christy
I’ve been keeping my eye on the gigs list and after a while now I will be returning to see your show, all goes well, in Wexford.
I saw you in Lyrath in November however I believe the atmosphere will be outstanding in the Opera House.
Can you recall early visits to the National Opera House? I imagine it must be breathtaking from the stage point of view.
Looking forward to seeing you.
all the best
every night is different Matty…we never know what way the wind is gonna blow…no doubt the Wexford Opera House is an outstanding and very impressive buiding where I’ve had some great nights…
but they dont become brilliant venues until the listeners arrive and create the atmosphere that we all need to thrive
but there have been great gigs in some hairy auld kips along the way…my outstanding memory of the Old Wexford Opera House 42 years ago…Moving Hearts kicked off, starlings and bats took fright above in the rafters and went shittin all around the place….
Hi Christy/all
Good news… http://www.wildinart.co.uk confirms that the Manchester city centre mosaics trail has been extended until 6/5/24…
The stunning pieces were made by Mark Kennedy,featuring iconic figures connected to Ireland…I narrowly avoided a punch by Katie Taylor,but might chance a duet with Luke Kelly.
Dave
as Ewan once sang…
“These are more enlightened times”
but then again….
I often wonder
Hello Christy,
Now you’ve got me going. What is that verse you just posted. Love it! Did you write it?
In the meantime,
Here is a master subverting the may day form
Vogon poetry is of course, the third worst in the universe.
The second worst is that of the Azgoths of Kria. During a recitation by their poet master Grunthos the Flatulent of his poem “Ode to a Small Lump of Green Putty I Found in My Armpit One Midsummer Morning” four of his audience died of internal haemorrhaging and the president of the Mid-Galactic Arts Nobbling Council survived by gnawing one of his own legs off. Grunthos was reported to have been “disappointed” by the poem’s reception, and was about to embark on a reading of his 12-book epic entitled “My Favourite Bathtime Gurgles” when his own major intestine, in a desperate attempt to save humanity, leapt straight up through his neck and throttled his brain.
The very worst poetry of all perished along with its creator, Paul Neil Milne Johnstone of Redbridge, in the destruction of the planet Earth. Vogon poetry is mild by comparison.
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Its an additional verse I wrote of late to “If I Get An Encore”
“When I hit the road with Planxty
days and nights in that transit van
crisscrossing the Nation
from Kildimo we drove to Kilcrohane
Merrily We Kissed The Quaker,lay down with the alligator
as we sailed upon the Lake of Pontchartrain.
O the music and the banter,the sound of Liam Óg’s chanter,
I’ll never hear the likes of Him again”
Hello Christy,
Here’s something for a May Day morning
https://youtu.be/s-_ahUc6gtw?si=MRc1k_gJKB_QVOt5
Rebecca
“Merrily We Kissed The Quaker,
lay down with the alligator
as we sailed upon the Lake of Pontchartrain.
the sound of Liam Óg’s chanter,
the music and the banter
We’ll never hear the likes of Him again”
Hi Christy
A bit off topic,but hope it’s an ok post…
Dublin’s superb EPIC museum hosts an evening event on 11 May,featuring a doc film,Q and A about Irish nurses in Britain/NHS…
A cause close to my heart…Without meeting a Mayo born,Meath residing,Manchester based student nurse in 1972,my life would have been different…and much less interesting,for sure!
Checking out the topic of Irish nurses in the UK,I see that there has also been a radio broadcast (Angels of Mercy)on ‘Newstalk’,by ex nurse,now broadcaster ,Grainne McPolin…
Brilliant that such research has been done and credit to the generations of nurses who left Ireland to pursue careers in the UK and elsewhere…
There’s a fair bit of online info about the research etc,but I won’t do anymore blathering just now…
Have a good day
Dave
a well deserved tribute to those who have helped us all with compassion and kindness….
I’m a messenger boy… here is the link to the last episode of the ‘Free State’ podcast. Lots of topics covered, and great to gain an insight to some of the different layers that accompany the work.. https://shows.acast.com/free-state-with-joe-brolly-and-dion-fanning/episodes/anyone-for-the-last-few-choc-ices-the-life-and-turbulent-tim
theres no talkin to that Joe Brolly fellow…he fires on all cylinders…I think he’s gone heavy into the Strokestown nuts…bur he’s a fair auld chanter when he gets goin…and a handy forward at the ball in his day…I miss himself and Pat Spillane after devotions of a Sunday evening…..
Hi Christy.. just saw that ahead of the release of their new album ‘No Flowers Grow in Cement Gardens’, A Lazarus Soul will play a headline show at Vicar Street, 26 October 2024.. tickets are now on sale.. Some here will know that you have recently performed great versions of their songs “Black and Amber” and “Lemon 7s”..
Thanks Kevin…thats a good tip…we’ll be there for The Laz
Hello Christy,
I have a bit of a thing about old books, particularly songbooks. The other day I was in a great junk shop. A small bookcase crammed with old books. I focused in on some great big blue ones. Scots Minstrelries. 3 volumes of them. Full to the brim with old Scottish songs, weighing a ton, cloth bound in dark blue with gold on them.
So I asked the lady, how much are they, I can’t see a price. 50p each! wow! They’re resting on my piano stool till I find them a good spot in a bookcase.
Callouses progressing nicely.
Rebecca
groaning bookshelves
Hi Christy,
By all accounts Derry was hopping for the 2 nights.
Such a special and monumental few days we have had in the past week.
I was listening to the Joe podcast over the weekend, and I had a right few Belly laughs.
Refreshing to hear you call your parents “Mammy” and “Daddy”….unfortunately them words are fast disappearing from the vocabulary as our generations pass.
Looking forward to NCH.
Ride Onn.
Patsy
last few choc ices
Hi Christy
2 nights in Bellaghy, music, craic, sightseeing, a drink or two, the homeplace, great trip and spoke to Declan McLaughlin too who has some great albums and songs.
Made the tea for us tonight to the yellow disc , fine array of protest songs…the thing that keeps us sane.
Keep on keeping on
Rory
Ps tomorrow down to see if Ruby’s ballad works for Jack Kennedy at Punchestown
winner alright
Hi Christy
Just wanted to mention an interview,I saw by achance link…Guy Garvey (Elbow band) on the Tommy Tiernan Show,recently…
One of Burys finest exports…dry humour,ace wordsmith and fascinating Garvey family. I realise many here may well have seen the programme,but worth checking it out….
I’ve enjoyed GG’s lyrics for years….sung so well in a tight band
Have a good day
Dave
Gigg Lane, Black Puddin, Valley Folk, John Wiilie Lees
Just want to say how amazing the two Derry gigs were…. so many great songs , Stardust families and Bloody Sunday families remembered….. Lyra too.
In Palestine is such a strong song with a lovely melody…..
Great audiences , Great venue… Great Gigs.
Keep coming back , the Derry Air agrees well with you.
good day Marty
Hi Christy
Bon voyage,Rory…enjoy travels!
Thinking of good fortune,music and raised spirits,having watched repeats of YouTube/ Dolly Parton’s homage to Tom Petty…song and film of his superb ‘Southern Accents’
I love TP’s work and Dolly’s ethos…today,there’s a fine mix…
Have a good day,all
Dave
morra Dave
Hi christy,
Awaiting the ferry at stranraer for a few days of friends, poetry, history and punchestown all rolled into 6 days sandwiched between a magnificent 32-29 victory for Hawick rfc at Murrayfield last night in the scottish cup and next saturday’s league cup final ( having already won the league)….what a grand time. I am lucky.
When luck works we should not forget those for whom luck never came anywhere near it saccho and vanzetti, tim evans, nicky kelly, birmingham six…….
Song can provide some help to heal.
Rory
welcome back Rory…you were spotted in Bellaghy….hope you have a good day at Punchestown today and clean out Paddy Power
Hi C. Well done on two really lively and totally different gigs in Derry, such a range of songs across the two nights, from hilarious to feminist from protest to deadly serious. You certainly connected with the listeners from the very start, the welcome was really palpable. IF those Walls could talk from Back Home in Derry to Minds Locked Shut and Lyra. I think it is a very brave to call out the ” dissidents who are not for leaving ” , ” the men who killed her “. Then to hear the a cappella version of Boy from Tamlaghduff as the encore song on Thurs was spine tingling. GRMMA. There is often talk of the film here, earlier today I saw ” That They May Face the Rising Sun” one of my all time favourite books. It is really wonderful cinematography, and very faithful to the spirit of the book produced by Pat Collins who also gave us Song of Granite. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
hopin to catch that today…
its always a pleasure to walk the walls
Hi Christy
If you hadn’t ever covered a Pink Floyd song,I probably wouldn’t post this here…there’s a tv Floyd fest tonight…Sky Arts for hours…fab!!
Dave
sound