This is a true story – actually a song, called Kilkelly, Ireland, or more often, just Kilkelly. It is a slow, hurtful lament, sung with hope but hidden behind reality – few who left Ireland in emigration ever returned. Many, many died on the infamous Coffin Ships, on the trip over. Some went to England, [...]
Easter Monday marks the 90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland. A path that led to freedom, for the first time in over 800 years, for the people of the twenty-six counties of the Republic of Ireland, finalized in 1922. Contention still exists, in the desire to reunite the other six counties, that comprise [...]
What is it? by John OBrien, Jr. 5. Deep within the ankle, it burns, white hot Pulsing outward, rebounding off the outer walls of their confinement The walls are my skin, no where to go 6. Shoulder weight, Somehow, swinging in a direct, weighted line from my fingers being pulled downward, somehow hung from [...]
Yesterday’s Blog on the song Nobody’s Child seems to have struck a chord. This song is also one of my favorites. This song, written by legendary song writer, composer, pianist and producer Phil Coulter was written about his son, who was born mentally impaired. It was recorded by many, including Sinead OConnor, but is considered [...]
Nobody’s Child by Cy Coben, Mel Foree I was slowly passing an Orphan’s Home one day, I stopped there for a moment just to watch the children play. Alone a boy was standing, And when I asked him why, He looked with eyes that could not see And he began to cry. I’m nobody’s child, [...]
Long Before Your Time When I was researching Festival Legends: Songs & Stories, one of the great interviews was with Johnny McEvoy. An amazing fascinating story. One of his big hits was the song Long Before Your Time, one of my favorite tunes, that I remember learning and singing when I was about ten, because [...]
I love learning new songs, no matter how old they are. I now know hundreds and hundreds of them and I am always looking for new ones. The one I am learning now has captured me, it is a timeless song, called My Old Man. Written my legendary songwriter and singer Ewan MacColl, it has [...]