Irish Music Experts -- I need your help

[dawgmom]

I am making a slide show for a memorial service for a friend who died several weeks ago. He was Irish, and a lover of Irish music. The slide show will consist of photographs, but also quotations from his writing (he was a published author.) Therefore, I want a piece of instrumental music, I think -- so that the lyrics won't compete with the written words they're viewing. (Unless you have something with lyrics that would be just perfect.)

I'm thinking acoustic guitar or Irish bagpipes might be appopriate. Any suggestions? Your help is very much appreciated, as I want to do a good job with this, and the music really needs to be perfect.

[LisaM]

1. Lyrics are often what Irish music is all about

you almost can't separate the two.

I would recommend "The Parting Glass" for your slide show, or, if you want everyone crying, a song called "Kilkelly, Ireland".

[dawgmom]

3. I can't listen to Killkelly, Ireland...it kills me, every time

Thanks for the recommendations. The Parting Glass isn't quite right -- I want something with a quieter tone, I think. As I said, Killkelly, Ireland kills me. That might be TOO sad.
I found this, which is a possibility:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFLa5PZj1HM

[LisaM]

6. I can't even talk about Kilkelly without tearing up

so I understand your dilemma.

The song you have there is nice, though I am such a lyrics fan, it's really hard for me to separate them. I know "The Parting Glass" is kind of obvious. How about Sinead's version of "The Foggy Dew"?

[Shiver]

2. I have a very large collection of Irish music

Instrumental and with lyrics. Bagpipes and acoustic guitars and fiddles... What kinda of melody would you like? Fast, slow, mournful...

[dawgmom]

8. Slow, contemplative, somewhat mournful

I know I will know it when I hear it. I want it to be slow, quiet, contemplative. Somewhat mournful, but this is also a celebration of his life. He was a champion of social justice, and so I also want it to have a dignified air.

That's a tall order, I know. I posted an acoustic piece above that sort of resonates, but isn't quite there.

[mcctatas]

4. I agree with The Parting Glass...

This is also beautiful although partially sung in Gaelic:

Ar Eireann Ni Neosainn Ce hl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcNc_zUanSU

[dawgmom]

14. This is beautiful

Thank you for sharing. I'm not sure it's quite right, because of the female-oriented lyric -- but it is a beautiful song. I'm loving hearing all this wonderful Irish music.

[sasquatch]

5. There's an old joke about the Irish: the only thing they can do is drink and sing sad songs

Personally I would go with some Wolfe Tones songs.

[mcctatas]

7. or a variation...

all their wars are happy and all their songs are sad;)

[LisaM]

9. Actually - at my MIL's service - and this is going to sound like a strange rec

we played this - Dolly Parton does a very nice version of "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" with a verse sung in Gaelic. It's on "Heart of a Woman III". I can't recommend it highly enough, it's bone chillingly beautiful. And the Gaelic verse just tops it.

[dawgmom]

16. Lovely

I love Dolly Parton, and this is beautifully done. That's a strong contender, although I still would like to find something without lyrics if I can.

[LisaM]

21. I'm glad you like it.

Irish music without lyrics, though - I don't know, the Irish are such poets. The only non-lyric songs I really know are the jigs and reels that we danced to in Irish dance class a few years ago.

When they did it at her service, they morphed into an instrumental version of the same song.

[demmiblue]

10. Doesn't really meet your needs, but:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdDnpkR3AQ&feature=related

I am sorry about your friend. :hug:

[dawgmom]

18. Thank you

And thanks for sharing that song. Now I need to buy some Mary Black.

[Ava]

11. how long do you need the music to be?

i'm not sure if this will fit, if you want it to be strictly irish, but i used this song in a video awhile back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MznL42r9-c

it is called "song to exile".. has a few words, but then goes into a very pretty instrumental. it is good if it is somber music you're looking for.

[dawgmom]

13. Maybe 3 minutes or so

That sounds about right.

[Ava]

15. just edited my post

this song is much shorter, but i edited it to make it long for the video i did, and you could probably do the same if you wanted to use it.

probably isn't a fit for what you are looking for, but i figured i'd give it a shot ;)

[dawgmom]

17. Very haunting

Thank you for sharing. It's on the possibles list.

[Nickster]

12. This probably doesn't fit the bill, but Dropkick Murphy's do a cover of this song and I love it.

The Green Fields of France
by Eric Bogle (written 1975)


Well, how ya doing, Private William McBride?
Do you mind if I sit here, down by your graveside?
And I'll rest for a while in the warm summer sun,
I've been walking all day, Lord, and I'm nearly done.
I see by your gravestone, you were only nineteen,
When you joined the glorious fallen in 1916.
Well I hope you died quick and I hoped you died clean.
Or Willie McBride, was it slow and obscene?

Did they beat the drum slowly?
Did they sound the fife lowly?
Did the rifles fire o'er ye as they lowered ye down?
Did the bugle sing Last Post and chorus?
Did the pipes play the Fleurs o' the Forest?

And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind?
In some faithful heart is your memory enshrined?
And though you died back in 1916,
To that loyal heart, are you always 19?
Or are you a stranger, without even a name,
Forever enshrined behind some glass pane,
In an old photograph, torn, 'n' tattered and stained,
And fading to yellow in a brown leather frame?

Well the sun's shining now on these Green Fields of France.
The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance.
The trenches have vanished long under the plough.
No gas and no barbed wire, no guns firing now.
But here in this graveyard it's still No Man's Land,
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand.
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man,
And a whole generation who were butchered and damned.

And I can't help but wonder now Willie McBride,
Do all those who lie here, know why they died?
Did you really believe them when they told you the cause?
Did you really believe that this war would end wars?
The suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame,
The killing, the dying, it was all done in vain.
For Willie McBride it all happened again,
And again and again and again and again…

[SoxFan]

19. Joanie Madden-"Magh Seola"

Madden is a member of Cherish The Ladies. She recorded this song with the Boston Pops about ten years ago on "The Celtic Album".

[dawgmom]

23. Gorgeous

It's on the list. I'm also now in tears, after listening to some of her other music.

[frogmarch]

20. Marcus Hernon's Air

would be my choice.

Have a listen, if you'd like to:

http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/Audio/02-08/MarcusHernon%27sDonnaG.mp3

This rendition features Celtic harp, B flat Irish whistle and keyboard strings.

[dawgmom]

24. This one builds nicely

It might be a good choice. Thanks very much.

[charlie and algernon]

22. Ashokan Farewell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6p8WE6ZemY&feature=related

[dawgmom]

25. I love this piece of music so much -- but it's so tied with "The Civil War"

It is such a gorgeous and sad piece of music, and I can understand why Ken Burns chose it for "The Civil War." Unfortunately, it is so closely tied in my mind because of that, I can only think of the documentary and some of those scenes when I hear it.

The same thing with "The Sally Gardens." Another beautiful piece, but now so closely evocative of "Titanic" that its sort of ruined for me.

Thank you for sharing it, however. You're right -- it would be perfect.

[Rambis]

26. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh:The parting glass

Daybreak: Fainne an Lae is the CD

[charlie and algernon]

27. "Kiss me, I'm Irish"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXSeWJOHVSQ&feature=related

Not a sad or depressing song, but a good one for someone who is a lover of all things Irish.

[dawgmom]

28. Himself would have loved that

Thanks for sharing.

[auburngrad82]

29. Not instrumental but Hothouse Flowers did a gorgeous version of I Can See Clearly Now

From their album Home.

[auburngrad82]

30. Not Irish but Daniel Lanois has a beautifully ethereal version of Amazing Grace

It's on his Acadie album with vocals by Aaron Neville.

[dixiegrrrrl]

31. Davey Spillane

1. Midnight Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAGaUiQpho8

and/or Daire's Dream

it will melt a stone heart.

[demmiblue]

32. Please look at dawgmom's other thread.

[frogmarch]

33. I think this is beautiful. Maybe you'll like it too.

http://panflute.net/albums_win/wax_files/voyage2/sallygardens.wax

This is Brad White on the Irish whistle playing "Sally Gardens," with harp accompaniment - also violins. (The prelude is "Eleanor Plunkett" on piano.) Maybe it would work for your slide show presentation.

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.

[kath]

34. Planxty Irwin, by Turlough O'Carolan

One of my very favorite pieces of music.
There are MANY very beautiful tunes by O'Carolan - I'll bet you could find one that will work, or use a medley of several..

Planxty Irwin:

On acoustic guitar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WJvKNNqaK4&feature=related
ON hammered dulcimer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBDfk0haths&feature=related
The Irish group Planxty has a recording of Planxty Irwin on their album titled "Planxty" (1972), which includes the Uillean pipes, played by Liam O'Flynn, and is so beautiful it brings me to tears. http://www.rhapsody.com/planxty/planxty/planxtyirwin

Si Bheag Si Mhor, Track 9 on the previous link, also by O'Carolan is very beautiful as well.

Some more O'Carolan tunes that come to mind, off the top of my head (and some may not be quite the mood you want) are Carolan's Concerto, Planxty Hewlett, Morgan Megan, Fannie Poer (sometimes spelled Power, IIRC)

Here are The Chieftains, with their wonderful harpist Derek Bell (now deceased) doing "Fanny Poer": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcMGfSyxvWs&feature=related
Derek Bell has two fantastic albums composed entirely of O'Carolan tunes - Carolan's Favourite and Carolan's Receipt. Clips from these are available on some of the sites that sell CDs.

{on edit} -- "Eleanor Plunkett", mentioned in the post just above mine, is an O'Carolan piece also -- he wrote SOOOO much beautiful music...}

[billyoc]

35. "Parting Glass", of course.

:hi:

[kath]

36. Two Carolan pieces on Celtic harp:

Carolan's Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlKx3YPL5I&feature=related

Si Bheag Si Mhor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0mot5vBCBc

[WildEyedLiberal]

37. "The Keening of the Three Marys" - really haunting instrumental

The homemade "video" sucks, but here's the music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijEP2vh3NjY

One of my favorites, and I think this might be in the vein you're looking for.