There was a man lived in the moon, lived in the moon, lived in the moon,
There was a man lived in the moon,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
Chorus
And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle,
And he played upon a ladle,
and his name was Aiken Drum.
And his hat was made of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese, of good cream cheese,
And his hat was made of good cream cheese,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his coat was made of good roast beef, of good roast beef, of good roast beef,
And his coat was made of good roast beef,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his buttons made of penny loaves, of penny loaves, of penny loaves,
And his buttons made of penny loaves,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his waistcoat was made of crust pies, of crust pies, of crust pies,
And his waistcoat was made of crust pies,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
And his breeches made of haggis bags, of haggis bags, of haggis bags,
And his breeches made of haggis bags,
And his name was Aiken Drum.
As I cam' in by Turra merkit
Turra merkit for tae fee
I met in wi' a fairmer cheil
Fae the Barnyards o' Delgaty
Chorus (after each verse):
Oh linten addie, toorin addie
Oh linten addie, toorin ay
Oh linten lourin, lourin lourin
The Barnyards o' Delgaty
He me promised the very best pair
Ever I set my een upon
Fin I got tae the Barnyards
There wis naethin' there but skin and bone
The auld black horse sat on its rump
The auld fite meer lay on her wime
For a' that I could hup an' crack
She wouldna rise at yokin' time
Oh aul' Meg Smith, she maks m' brose
And it's wi' her I canna gree
First a knot and syne a mot
And aye anither jelp o' bree
Fan I gang tae the kirk on Sunday
Mony's the bonnie lassie I see
Sittin' by her faither's side
An' winkin' ower the pews at me
Noo I can drink an' no be drunk
I can fecht and no be slain
I can sleep wi' anither man's wife
An' aye be welcome tae my win
But noo m' caunle is brunt oot
It's splutterin' fairly on the wane
Oh fare ye weel, ye Barnyards
Ye'll nivver catch m' here again
Chorus (sung after every verse):
Ho, ro, the rattlin' bog,
The bog down in the valley-o.
Ho, ro, the rattlin' bog,
The bog down in the valley-o.
Now in that bog there was a tree,
A rare tree and a rattlin' tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
Now on that tree there was a branch,
A rare branch and a rattlin' branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
Now on that branch there was a limb,
A rare limb and a rattlin' limb,
And the limb on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
Now on that limb there was a nest,
A rare nest and a rattlin' nest,
And the nest on the limb,
And the limb on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
Now in that nest there was a bird,
A rare bird and a rattlin' bird,
And the bird in the nest,
And the nest on the limb,
And the limb on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
Now on that bird there was a feather,
A rare feather and a rattlin' feather,
And the feather on the bird,
And the bird in the nest,
And the nest on the limb,
And the limb on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
Now on that feather there was a bug,
A rare bug and a rattlin' bug,
And the bug on the feather,
And the feather on the bird,
And the bird in the nest,
And the nest on the limb,
And the limb on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the bog,
And the bog down in the valley-o.
[Hugh Roberton was] a Scotsman from Glasgow, and the creator and conductor of the Glagow Orpheus Choir. He was also a prolific composer of choral music, much of it based around traditional Scottish songs and hymn tunes. I was a young teenager at the time of the Vera Lynn case and remember it well. The arguments contained in it illuminate some of the issues raised by your correspondents. There was never a disagreement that the verse of the song was basically "The Muckin' of Geordies Byre" but Hugh S. Roberton definitely wrote the chorus and all of the words. My father, who was his amanuensis at the time, testified to this in court. However the Vera Lynn camp and her recording company produced the royal piper and a couple of other old geezers from the piping field who swore blind that it was all a traditional air. My father always claimed they were given a bung to commit perjury to spare the 'Forces Sweetheart' the humiliation of losing the case. The whole thing divided public opinion right down the middle. Miss Lynn was, of course, a wartime heroine whilst my grandfather was a founder member of the Scottish Independent Labour party, a well known pacifist, socialist and was given the moniker 'The Red Kinight of Clydeside'. Curwen, his publisher were virtually bankrupted by the case and wobbled on for another fifteen years until they were conumed in an asset stripping takeover by the US conglomerate Crowell, Collier Macmillan.
Chorus (sung after every verse):
Westering home and a song in the air
Light in the eye and it's goodbye to care
Laughter o' love and a welcoming there
Isle of my heart my own one.
Tell me o' lands of the Orient gay
Speak o' the riches and joys of Cathay
Ay but it's grand to be wakin' at day
To find yourself nearer to Islay.
Where are the folk like the folk o' the west
Canty and couthie and kindly the best
There I would hie me and there I would rest
At hame wi' my ain folk on Islay.
On August 31, 2011 Leah Joy Sparks died peacefully at her parent’s home in Severn after a long battle against soft tissue sarcoma. Leah endured fifteen months of chemotherapy with seven different drugs and also radiation until she exhausted all of her options. To quote her oncologist, “You fought the fight and finished the race.”
Leah was born August 30, 1972, in Delaware, Ohio. In 1986 she lost her left leg to osteosarcoma during her first bout with cancer. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1995 and held a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Publishing from Oxford-Brookes University in Oxford, England.
Leah was employed as an intelligence analyst for the FBI in Baltimore. She was extremely dedicated to her job and it brought her great joy to work for the Bureau. She was given the Leadership Award by her FBI colleagues at Quantico, Virginia and was the student speaker at graduation. Leah wanted to be remembered for her integrity, her loyalty, and her love for her family and country. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed playing the Scottish fiddle and cycling; she once rode 54 miles using her biking prosthesis. She was a member of Severn United Methodist Church where she wrote the bi-monthly newsletter and prepared the weekly bulletins. She insisted on finishing the bulletin after being admitted to hospice eight days before her death.
Leah will be forever held in the hearts of her grateful parents, Rev. Dr. Kelly and Myra Sparks, her sister, Erin Sparks Talbot and her husband, Mark Talbot, of Moorestown, New Jersey. “Auntie Leah” will never be forgotten by Ethan and Spencer Talbot, Leah’s 7 year old twin nephews. Other survivors include Leah’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. James Holtsclaw of Charleston, West Virginia and paternal grandmother, Mrs. James Sparks of Hurricane, West Virginia. Leah was loved and respected by her many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Leah wanted everyone to remember her as she was before her illness. At her request, a private viewing for family only will be followed by a celebration of her life on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at Severna Park United Methodist Church in Severna Park, Maryland at 3:00 p.m. A private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Leah’s favorite charity, the Ronald McDonald House
Hi Peter & Elke,
Peter, we met many years ago in passing when I heard your playing at the Royal Mile. Elke, we
haven't met, though I hope to correct that soon. I hope our paths intersect soon.
I'm also hoping you'll both help promote CCE MAD Week among your musical contacts. MAD Week is an
exceptionally fun week of trad Irish music and dance, not exactly the same cup of tea, but there are
many Scots and Irish over the border.
We have an exceptional faculty this year:
Fiddle: Martin Hayes, Patrick Ourceau, Jesse Smith, Cleek Schrey, Bob Spates, Donna Long, Joe DeZarn, Dylan Foley
Flute/Whistle/Uilleann Pipes: Kevin Crawford, Laura Byrne, Jerry O'Sullivan
Guitar Accompaniment (DADGAD): Josh Dukes
Bodhran: Jesse Winch, Myron Bretholz
Button Accordion: Sean McComiskey (Friday only)
Tenor Banjo: Keith Carr
Singing/Song Circle: Len Graham
Set Dance/Sean-nos: Marilyn Moore, Shannon Dunne
Would be happy to extend early registration discount ($45) to any and all of those you would care to invite!
For more information about schedule, faculty bios, and registration information:
http://www.ccepotomac.org/www/MADWeek.html
I've also attached a flyer (.pdf) for your information and convenience. Please feel free to post or forward at will.
If either of you would like to attend the public faculty concert on Wednesday, July 20th (7:30 p.m.) at Takoma Park
Community Center, please let me know and I'll be happy to set aside comp tickets in your name. For more information
about the concert, please see the calendar section of the IMT website: http://www.imtfolk.org.
Thanks much for your consideration and assistance.
Sincerely,
Mitch Fanning, Director
CCE MAD Week 2011
http://www.ccepotomac.org/www/MADWeek.html
jmitchellf@yahoo.com
m. 703.989.7369
Hello all - A gentle reminder that SummerTunes 2011 - Saturday, July 23 - 10 am until.... is in two weeks. Alex and I are hoping you can come join us for another splendid day of making music together. The registration form is posted on the MMFAC website- www.contradancers.com/mmfac/. Do let us know if you are planning on attending so we know how many SummerTunes tunebooks to order.
Information: http://www.contradancers.com/mmfac/, or contact Liz Donaldson - liz@us.net or (301) 986-1291 or Alexander Mitchell Fiddlemuse@yahoo.com or (240) 344-7806.
Thanks. Liz
Hello all. This is a video of a debate that was held last month in Antigonish, Nova Scotia about the authenticity of Tartan kilts, highland games and festivals and whether or not they represent an authentic connection to the greater Scottish Gaelic speaking community and cultural representation. Michael Newton (the man who posted and participated in the videos) is the only non-native Canadian on the pannel (he being an American) sent us this link. It is a good "debate" (more like a friendly discussion really) and presents very valid views and points on both sides. It is in 6 parts and you will need a good 45-55 min to watch it all. I hope you enjoy it! :)
[Edinburgh] was walled in 1460, and part of the wall acted as a dam forming The North Loch . . . . After 300 years, the loch was permanently drained in stages, first in 1763 to help build the North Bridge, and the final drainage in the early 19th century. It was much used for fishing, though given old Edinburgh's standards of sanitation, this must have been playing Russian roulette with food poisoning. The city abattoir was beside it for its entire existence, on the site now occupied by the Lothian Region Transport office on Waverley Bridge; wastes from slaughtering were simply dumped in the water. During the great idol-smashing of 1560, the Reformers sent the statue of St Giles from the High Kirk the way of a century's putrefied offal; then they pulled it out again and burnt it just to make sure. In 1562, one particularly deep part was designated for ducking fornicators. "The North Loch" was first published by Robert Bremner (c.1713-1789) in the 1750s.
The Smith's a Gallant Fireman
Wha's the King o' oor toon end and sets the lads in awe man
Wha has lassies nine or ten when some hae nane ava man
Wha can mak us daftly dance till we be like to fa' man
Whene'er the music o' his pipe is heard in cot or ha' man
Oh Rab's the man oor village smith I winner that ye speer man
Whaur hae ye been for a' yer days that that ye didna hear man
He's King o' Bar and Lord of love and Knight o' a oor Shire man
At feast or fray by nicht or day The Smith's a Gallant Fireman.
Wha can spend and spare a plack and still hae twa ahint it
Gie a fren a helpin han and never care tae mint it
Wha for honour's sacred cause and honest independence
Like steadfast rock can beer the shock o' a' the warl's vengeance
Oh Rab's the man wi' hert and han tho clad in rude attire man
Wi' strong resolve and iron nerve, nae mair he doth require man
He bends the bars o' burnin steel as ain the' were but wire man
Dependen aye upon himseel, The Smith's a Gallant Fireman.
Wha would be a lordling slave, a thing withoot a name man
Wha would beg frae ither folk what they should hae at hame man
Wha would scuaner a' their gear an' syne gie fate the blame man
The growin' grass aboon his grave, it micht turn red wi' shame man
Let folks deride and ca' it pride be it mine still to aspire man
He that winna wale the road deserves tae dree the mire man
Let honest dignity and worth oor hearts and souls inspire man
Let's honor pay where honor's due: The Smith's a Gallant Fireman.
I Left My Baby Lying There
I left my baby lying there
Lying there, lying there
I left my baby lying there
When I went to gather blaeberries
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the white swan
But I could not find my baby o
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the red deer
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
I followed the track of the grey mare
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg an dòbhran donn
Cha d’fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg na lach’ air an lòn
Cha d’fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg na bà sa pholl
Cha d’fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Fhuair mi lorg a’cheo ‘sa bheinn
Cha d’fhuair mi lorg mo chùbhrachain
Ho bhan ho bhan haithri o ho ....
Translation of Gaelic verses:
I got a track/spore of the dunn otter
I didn’t get a track/ trace of my fragrant one
I got a track of the duck on the marshy ground
I didn’t get a track of my fragrant one
I got a track of the cow in the pool
I didn’t get a track of my fragrant one
I got a trail of the mist on the mountain
I didn’t get a trail of my fragrant one
For years, the accepted explanation for the word "trow" has been that it is simply a corruption of "troll" . . . . But in my opinion, this is completely wrong . . . . The Icelandic Dictionary defines "draugr" as being a ghost or spirit; especially the dead inhabitant of a cairn . . . . The pagan Norse believed that a body placed in its grave continued to live on. The term we would use today would be "undead" . . . .
See here for more.
Described as the end of "Yule," it could occur as early as the last week of January. Once, Up Helly Aa was called the "twenty-fourth day of Christmas," implying that it should occur on January 18th. However, some Up Helly Aa events now occur as late as mid-March. Perhaps one could liken it to the Mardi Gras / Carnival festivals that mark the Epiphany / Lent transition in Catholic countries? There are multiple celebrations of this festival on Shetland:
01/25/2011:
"This was the biggest Up Helly Aa celebration."
http://shetlopedia.com/Lerwick_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
http://www.uphellyaa.org/up-helly-aa-2011
02/04/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Nesting_and_Girlsta_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
02/11/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Uyeasound_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
02/18/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Northmavine_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
02/25/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Bressay_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
http://shetlopedia.com/Cullivoe_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
03/05/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Norwick_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
03/11/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/South_Mainland_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
03/18/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Delting_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
Celebrating 50 years of Piping and Drumming!
National Capital Area Scottish Festival
May 14 from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Rockville High School
2100 Baltimore Rd., Rockville, MD
Indoor—Rain or Shine!
The Festival will be replete with Scottish pipe bands, including the City of Washington Pipe Band, the MacMillan Pipe Band, the MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe Band, and the Rockville High School Pipe Band.
World-renowned, GRAMMY-nominee Bonnie Rideout is performing! Other performances by: the Irish Breakfast Band, Sleat, Scottish Country Dance Society of Washington! Plus: Celtic Dancers, Ceilidh Music, Children’s Crafts and Games! FOOD! And, Silent Auction for the Thrifty!
Come and hear the music of Scotland and experience Celtic culture right here in Rockville, MD.
Adults/$7, Seniors/$5, Kids (under 18)/$1. Food at 11:00. Show at 1:00.
Benefiting the One and Only Rockville High School Pipe Band!
Visit www.rhspb.org for more information. Save May 14 on Your Calendar!
I'd like to invite you to a concert at my house featuring steller uber-fiddler Darol Anger and also-steller uber-singer Emy Phelps. Darol and Emy will be exploring singer-songwriter territory the likes of which I expect none of us have heard before. Darol will amaze us with his fiddle and octave mandolin virtuosity. No animals will be harmed in the making of this concert.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
7:00 pm
7105 Churchill Road, McLean VA 22101
RSVP by email (allisonhayward@aol.com) to me!
Will it be more Phil Ochs or Phil Lesh? More Lowell George or "George IV"? More Ani DeFranco or Annie Lennox? Heck, who knows? But you'll miss out if you don't come!
Here's The Official Blurb:
Emy Phelps with Darol Anger
A special pairing of 2 unique and deeply affecting musicians, Virtuoso fiddler and multi-string master Darol Anger here focuses his talents in service of the singer-songwriter's art. Emy Phelps is a standout artist in a large field, a prolific songwriter with a riveting voice which plumbs the deepest emotions. A musician of note in the Pacific Northwest, she has made a 30 year music career while raising 3 sons and one daughter, achieving degrees in Theatre Arts and Special Education, and touring for 7 years with Brian Ransom's Ceramic Ensemble.
In combination, these 2 musicians bring out each other's special ability to convey deep emotional resonance and spark low-key fireworks.
Fiddler, composer, producer and educator, Darol Anger is at home in a number of musical genres, some of which he helped to invent. Exceptional among modern fiddlers for his versatility and depth, Anger has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as his Republic Of Strings, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, Montreux, his Duo with Mike Marshall, and others. He has performed and taught all over the world with musicians such as Dr. Billy Taylor, Bela Fleck, Bill Evans, Edgar Meyer, Bill Frisell, Marin Alsop and the Cabrillo Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, Mark O’Connor, and Stephane Grappelli. Today Darol can be heard on NPR's "Car Talk" theme every week, along with Earl Scruggs, David Grisman and Tony Rice. He has recorded and produced scores of important recordings since 1977, is a MacDowell and UCross Fellow, and has received numerous composers’ residencies and grants. He has been a featured soloist on dozens of recordings and motion picture soundtracks. He is an Associate Professor at the prestigious Berklee School of music.
Emy Phelps does not remember a time when she has not sung. Trained in theater arts, she participated in Ashland, Oregon's world-reknowned Shakespeare Festival programs including both Shakespeare and contemporary productions, and danced for 3 years in The Green Show, an ongoing Festival program. She was a founding member of Brian Ransom's The Ceramic Ensemble, which toured internationally from 1980–1987. As a member of that ensemble she did research on indigenous music in Peru. She is a musician of note in the Oregon region and has performed all around the Pacific Northwest since the late 80's.
She has released one recording entitled As It Should Be on Sweet Mercy Records, and has participated in many recordings including Patrick Brayer, Chris Darrow, Norma Tenega, and Duke McVinnie. Past venues include the New Music America Festival in Philadelphia, North By Northwest, the Moab Folk Festival, Wintergrass, The Britt Festival, and Northwest Folk Life Festival in Seattle.
The April newsletter features Martin Hayes. He will be one of the instructors at the Irish CCE MAD (music arts and dance week) camp this summer for adults and kids. See the link below for
information. I have gone every year and it is great fun and local.
http://ccepotomac.org/www/FiddleWeek.htm
A Celtic Concert with Maggie Sansone, Robin Bullock, Shannon Dunne, Matt Bell, Regan Riley
"In Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church"
Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: St. Mark Presbyterian Chuch, Rockville, Maryland.
Join award winning Celtic and folk musicians and dancers for a great family show.Featuring America's premier Celtic hammered dulcimer recording artist Maggie Sansone, "flat picking master" Robin Bullock, guitar, cittern, mandolin; Matt Bell, Irish Bodhran and who is a snare drum percussionist with US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps ; Shannon Dunne, concertina, vocals and Irish Step Dancer who tours with Percussive Foot Works Ensemble and also Regan Riley, a champion Irish Step dancer, former member of the Teelin School of Irish Dance. . http://www.saintmarkpresby.org. Tickets and info: events@saintmarkpresby.org ; 301-530-2613; Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD 20852
Tickets and info:
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
10701 Old Georgetown Road
Rockville, MD 20852
301-530-2613
http://www.saintmarkpresby.org.
events@saintmarkpresby.org
Directions:
http://www.saintmarkpresby.org/pagedirections.htm
Maggie Sansone:
http://www.maggiesmusic.com/mscalen.html
Scottish Fiddler's Guide to the Galaxy: how make magic happen with the bow and spawn a fauna of ornamentation on the fingerboard - and feel good doing it. Ryan will teach tunes from the Scottish tradition (Strathspeys, Reels, Jigs, Slow Airs), focusing on bowings and ornamentation. Ryan likes to teach music, not just tunes! Any instruments are welcome, but some of the lesson will be spent on fiddle specific bowings. Ryan teaches all tunes aurally, so sheet music will be available after the workshop, not during. The workshop will be taught at an intermediate to advanced skill level.
1st Collection
2nd Collection
1st Collection
2nd Collection
1st Collection
2nd Colection not available through Elderly
Dear all,
It is very sad news to hear that Highland Council are considering the complete closure of the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music, based in Plockton in the Scottish Highlands. Over the last 10 years this specialist school has produced dozens of fantastic traditional musicians, please demonstrate your support for the school by signing the online petition here:
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/42495.html
all the best,
Simon McKerrell.
While February 2nd is popularly known as "Groundhog Day" in the United States, the tradition of weather-forecasting animals originates in Europe. Because today was cloudy, Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil "predicted" an early spring.
In Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland, February 2nd was associated with the adder, the only poisonous snake in northern Europe.
Here's a Gaelic poem about Candlemas Day [Latha Fheill Bride]
Carmina Gadelica, Alexander CarmichaelMoch maduinn Bhride, Thig an nimhir as an toll;
Cha bhoin mise ris an nimhir, Cha bhoin an nimhir rium.
Thig an nathair as an toll, la donn Bride
Ged robh tri traighean dh' an t-sneachd air leachd an lair.
[Translation]
Early on Bride's morn, the serpent will come from the hollow
I will not molest the serpent, nor will the serpent molest me
The serpent will come from the hollow on the brown day of Bride
Though there should be three feet of snow on the ground
Also see
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cg1/cg1074.htm
New £21m Robert Burns Birthplace Museum opens
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (RBBM) in Alloway, Ayrshire, aims to attract visitors from across the world. The project, which has taken six years to complete, will feature more than 5,000 artefacts, including original manuscripts written by the poet. The official opening of the museum is due to take place on 22 January to coincide with Alloway's Burns weekend . . . . The RBBM replaces what was formerly the Burns National Heritage Park and brings together all of the Alloway sites, including the Burns Monument, Alloway Auld Kirk, Burns Cottage, an education pavilion and Auld Brig O'Doon . . . .
Nat Edwards, director of the museum, said: "Our aim is to provide a modern and relevant interpretation of Burns that will intrigue visitors of all ages, whether they are lifelong Burns enthusiasts or completely new to his work. Here, you will not just be able to read the manuscript of Tam o' Shanter, you can see the fireplace round which Burns first heard the stories that he turned into that poem, and you can look out the window and see that landscape, places like the Kirk Alloway and Brig O'Doon where the poem takes place. It gives you every facet of the man and his work."
Robert Burns, who died in 1796, is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
Website:
http://www.burnsmuseum.org.uk/
http://www.burnsmuseum.org.uk/index.php/whats-on-whats-going-on/38-official-launch-celebration-and-open-day-
