Legacy: Liner Notes

Legacy: Liner Notes The following liner notes accompany Legacy’s 2003 debut album. Enjoy!

1

Road To Lisdoonvarna/Cooley’s Reel/Ships Are Sailing

Nearly all of the dance tunes we play were learned from other musicians while playing in local Irish music sessions. “Lisdoonvarna” is set as the calm before the storm of reels that is “Cooley’s” and “Ships”.

2

Step It Out, Mary

Years ago, a father could ensure a comfortable retirement by forcing his daughter to wed a wealthy older man even if she loved another. As in Romeo and Juliet, some young lovers chose death over separation. Despite its tragic nature, this song was inspired by a children’s rhyme that the author first heard at a fair in Kanturk, Co. Cork. Step it out, Mary, Step it out, Mary, Step it out, Mary, Show your legs to Show your legs to

my fine daughter if you can my fine daughter the country man the country man

Inthe village of Kildoreen, there’s a maiden young and fair She has eyes like sparkling diamonds, and long and golden hair The country man came riding up to her daddy’s gate Upon a milk-white stallion, he came at the hour of eight.

“I have come to court your daughter, Mary of the curling hair I have gold and I have silver, I have land beyond compare I will build for her a mansion, she’ll have servants to command I will build for her a mansion, she’ll have a gold ring for her hand.”

“I don’t want your gold nor silver, I don’t want your house nor land I don’t want your fancy diamonds or a gold ring for my hand.” Her father spoke up sharply, “You will do as you are told. You will marry him on Sunday, and you’ll wear his ring of gold.”

In the village of Kildoreen, there’s a deep stream running by They found Mary there at midnight, she drowned with her soldier boy In the village there is music, you can hear her daddy say “Step it out, Mary, my fine daughter, Sunday is your wedding day.”

3

Tommy’s Nice Waltz

Often known as “The Belltable”, Tom Juenemann’s predilection for playing this tune at the local music sessions has caused it to be known by a different name.

4

I’ll Tell Me Ma

Youthful affection is the subject of this lively little rope-skipping song from Northern Ireland. I’ll tell me ma when I go home The boys won’t leave the girls alone They pulled my hair and they stole my comb Well, that’s alright ’til I go home She is handsome, she is pretty She is the belle of Belfast city She is courting one, two, three Please won’t you tell me, who is she? Albert Mooney says he loves her All the boys are fighting for her They knock at the door and they ring at the bell Saying “Oh, my true love, are you well?” Out she comes, as white as snow Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes Old Johnny Murray, he says she’ll die If she doesn’t get the fellow with the roving eye

Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high And the snow come tumbling from the sky She’s as nice as apple pie She’ll get her own lad by and by When she gets a lad of her own She won’t tell her ma when she comes home Let them all come as they will For it’s Albert Mooney she loves still

5

Borderland David wrote this in anticipation of his first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Such beauty...

I’m leaving the big town, No rat races, it’s back to the basics Watching the river run down To the quiet wake of its mother lake Wind on the water and watch the sun go down Shining on the water in gold and red and green And hear the whisper of the wind, of the wind. I feel I’ve been here before A coming home to what I came from Down by the delta shore With a quiet prayer I’m waiting there for the

The moon peaks up through the trees Crowning the waves with the silver of day Setting the mortal soul free With the wind to fly and greet the sunrise, the

6

March of the King of Laois/Within a Mile of Dublin

Rory O’Moore was king of Laois in the mid-16th century and was likely the composer of this tune. “Dublin” is what some locals like to call “one of the old ones”.

7

Rising of the Moon This poem about the 1798 Rebellion, set to the music of The Wearin’ of the Green, was written by a young Dublin clerk in 1866. He and other patriots were imprisoned in Mountjoy Jail after the 1867 Fenian Uprising. He died there three years later, at the age of 24, due to injuries inflicted by prison authorities.

Oh then tell me Sean O’ Farrell tell me why you hurry so Hush-a buach-aill hush and listen and his cheeks were all aglow. I bear orders from the captain get you ready quick and soon; For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon. By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon, For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon.

Oh then, tell me Sean O’Farrell, where the gathering is to be? In the old spot by the river right well known to you and me One word more for signal token, whistle up the marching tune, With your pike upon your shoulder, by the rising of the moon. By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon, With your pike upon your shoulder, by the rising of the moon.

Out of many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night Many a manly heart was throbbing for the blessed warning light. Murmurs passed along the valley, like the banshee’s lonely croon And a thousand blades were flashing at the rising of the moon. At the rising of the moon, at the rising of the moon, And a thousand blades were flashing at the rising of the moon.

There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men was seen Far above the shining weapons hung their own beloved green “Death to every foe and traitor! Forward! strike a marching tune And hurrah, my boys, for freedom, ’tis the rising of the moon!” ’Tis the rising of the moon, ’tis the rising of the moon, “And hurrah, my boys, for freedom, ’tis the rising of the moon!”

Well they fought for dear old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate (O, what glorious pride and sorrow fills the names of Ninety-Eight!) Yet, thank God, there still are beating hearts in manhood’s burning noon, Who would follow in their footsteps at the rising of the moon! At the rising of the moon, at the rising of the moon, Who would follow in their footsteps at the rising of the moon!

8

Bad Moon Risin’ We’ve thematically paired the preceding 19th century patriotic song with something written by a noted 20th century rebel – John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

I I I I

see see see see

a bad moon rising. trouble on the way. earthquakes and lightnin’. a bad time today. Don’t go ’round tonight, It’s bound to take your life, There’s a bad moon on the rise.

I I I I

hear hurricanes a’blowin’. know the end is comin’ soon. fear rivers overflowin’. hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Hope you have got your things together. Hope you are quite prepared to die. Looks like we’re in for nasty weather. One eye is taken for an eye.

9

Hills of Connemara

Excise men once attempted to control the illegal production of liquor (tea or tay) in rural Ireland through the imposition of excise taxes, in much the same way that the U.S. government (Revenuers) once tried to tax moonshiners in Appalachia. This song suggests that at least some Irish authorities were less rigid than their American counterparts. Gather up the pots and the old tin can The mash, the corn, the barley and the bran Run like the devil from the Excise man Keep the smoke from rising Barney. Keep your eyes well-peeled today The big, tall men are on their way Searchin’ for the mountain tay In the hills of Connemara

Mountain breezes as they blow Hear them echo in the valley below The excise men are on the go In the hills of Connemara

A gallon for the butcher, a quart for Tom, A bottle for poor old Father John To help his prayers and hymns along In the hills of Connemara.

Stand your ground, now don’t you fall The excise men are at the wall Jesus Christ, they’re drinking it all. In the hills of Connemara.

Swing to the left and swing to the right. The Excise men will dance all night. Drinking up the tay ’til the broad daylight In the hills of Connemara.

10

Mary Ellen Carter Stan Rogers was a Canadian musician who helped lead the East Coast Celtic music revival in the 60’s and 70’s. This song of loyalty and redemption was among his most popular. He died in an airplane accident at the age of 33, while returning from a folk music festival.

She went down last October in a pouring, driving rain. The skipper, he’d been drinking and the mate, he felt no pain Too close to Three Mile Rock, and she was dealt her mortal blow, And the Mary Ellen Carter settled low. There were just us five aboard her when she finally was awash. We worked like hell to save her, all heedless of the cost. And the groan she gave as she went down, it caused us to proclaim That the Mary Ellen Carter’d rise again.

Well, the owners wrote her off; not one nickel would they spend. “She gave twenty years of service, boys, then met her sorry end But insurance paid the loss to us, so let her rest below” And they laughed at us and said we’d have to go But we talked of her all winter some days around the clock “She’s worth a quarter million just floatin’ at the dock” And with every jar that hit the bar we swore we would remain And make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again. Rise again, rise again that her name not be lost to the knowledge of men Those who loved her best and were with her ’til the end Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again So, all spring now we’ve been with her on barge lent by a friend Three dives a day in a hardhat suit and twice I’ve had the bends Thank God it’s only sixty feet and the current here is slow Or I’d never have the strength to go below. Well, we’ve patched her rents, stopped up her vents, dogged hatch and porthole down Tied cables to her fore and aft and girded her around Tomorrow noon, we’ll hit the air and then take up the strain And make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again

For we couldn’t leave her there, you see, to crumble into scale She saved our lives so many times living through the gale And the laughing drunken rats who left her to a sorry grave They won’t be laughing in another day . . . And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go Turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again.

11

The Smoky Chimney

While “The Smoky Chimney” appears as #1635 in O’Neill’s “Music of Ireland”, it is one several tunes on this CD that we didn’t learn from local musicians, rather, it came from the playing of Eoghan O’Sullivan, Gerry Harrington, and Paul De Grae on the their CD of the same name.

12

Roddy Mccorley Roddy McCorley was reputedly one of the heroes of the 1798 Rebellion. He was captured by the British and executed in the town of Toomebridge. This song, first recorded by the Clancy Brothers in 1961 and later popularized by the Kingston Trio, was adapted from a 19th century poem about the incident.

Oh, see the host of fleet foot men who speed with faces wan From farmstead and from fisher’s cot along the banks of Bann They come with vengeance in their eyes, too late, too late are they For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

Oh, when he last stepped up that street, his shining pike in hand Behind him marched in grim array a stalwart earnest band For Antrim town, for Antrim town he led them to the fray Now young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

Oh, up the narrow streets he steps, smiling, proud and young About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung There was never a tear in his blue eyes both sad and bright are they As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

There was never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray Than he who marches to his death on the bridge of Toome today True to the last, true to the last, he treads the upward way As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

13

City of Chicago

The composer of this immigration song, Barry Moore, is a native of Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The song has been frequently recorded and performed by Barry’s older brother, singer/songwriter Christy Moore. Barry moved to the United States around 1987 and since that time has performed under the name Luka Bloom. In the City of Chicago as the evening shadows fall, there are people dreaming of the Hills of Donegal. 1847 was the year it all began, deadly pains of hunger drove a million from the land. They journeyed not for glory their motive wasn’t greed, a voyage of survival across the stormy sea.

Some of them knew fortune, some them knew fame, more of them knew hardship and died upon the plains. They spread throughout the nation, they rode the railroad cars, brought their songs and music to ease their lonely hearts.

14

Home to Avisia

David originally composed this tune as an untitled warm-up piece but discovered that it worked quite well as an air. He named it after his wife, Avisia Whiteman.

15

Leaving Of Liverpool Irish sailors ended up in every European port city, including Liverpool, England.

Fare the well to you, my own true love I am going far away I am bound for California But I know that I’ll return someday So, fare thee well, my own true love And when I return, united we will be It’s not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me But my darlin’ when I think of thee. I have signed on a Yankee sailing ship “Davy Crockett” is her name And Burgess is the captain of her And they say that she’s a floating jail

I have sailed with Burgess once before And I think I know him right well If a man is a sailor he will get along But if not then he’s surely in hell.

Oh, the sun is on the harbour, love And I wish I could remain For I know it will be a long, long time Before I see you again

16

Priest’s Leap/Fr. O’Flynn’s

“The Priest’s Leap” and “Fr. O’Flynn’s” both appear in O’Neill’s (#781 & #1031, respectively), but are more commonly known as “Saddle the Pony” and “Top of the Cork Road”. With a former seminarian in the band, the alternate names seemed appropriate.

17

Wild Rover This one is often requested in the pubs. Everyone seems to know the chorus, so it is a great audience participation song, regardless of one’s level of intoxication.

I’ve been a wild rover for many a year And I’ve spent all my money on whiskey and beer But now I’m returning with gold in great store And I never will play the wild rover no more And it’s no, nay, never No, nay, never, no more, Will I play the wild rover No, nay, never, no more. I went into an ale house that I used to frequent And I told the landlady my money was spent I asked her for credit, she answered me “Nay, Such a patron as you I can get any day.”

So out of my pockets I took sovereigns bright And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight She said, “I have whiskey and wines of the best And the words that I said sure were only in jest.”

I’ll go home to my parents, confess what I’ve done And I’ll ask them to pardon their prodigal son And if the forgive me as oftimes before Then I never will play the wild rover no more

18

Patrick Street Always keep good company when you go on a spree. Good advice, for sailors and non-sailors alike!

You sailors all, come lend an ear, and listen to me song it’s of a trick ’twas played on me, and I won’t detain you long: I came home from sea the other day and a girl I chanced to meet and she asked me up along with her to dance in Patrick Street.

Well says I “me pretty fair maid, I cannot dance too well, besides I’m bound for Newry town where my parents there do dwell. I’ve been at sea these last few years and I’ve saved up fifty pounds, and my parents are expecting me, tonight in Newry town.”

“Well since you cannot dance too well then you shall have a treat: You can have a glass of brandy, or something nice to eat. At nine o’clock this evening I’ll lead you to your train, but don’t forget to call on me when you come back again.”

Well, she seemed to be so friendly, I went and hired a car. We both went down to Patrick Street and on arrival there, The people on the other side, I thought I heard them say “Oh, he’ll sure be in need of a jaunting car, before he gets away.”

Well, we had not been long in the room when whiskey it came in, And when everyone had had their fill, the dancing did begin. Me and me love we danced around all to a merry tune, While the other couples did the double-shuffle ’round the room.

And when dancin’ it was over, for bed we did prepare And after that, I fell asleep - and when I awakened there me darling and me fifty pounds and gold and all had fled! And there was I meself alone stark naked lying in bed!

In gazing all around me nothing did I spy But a woman’s skirt and jumper at the foot of the bed did lie. I wrung me hands and tore me hair cryin’ “Oh what will I do? Oh fare the well sweet Newry town, it seems I won’t see you!”

When night-time it had come again and daylight was away I put on the skirt and jumper and I set off for the quay, and when I went on board the ship the sailors all did say “Oh Jack has grown much prettier since last she went away!

And is this the new spring fashion that you went to buy on shore? And where’s the shop that sells them, d’you think they may have more?” The captain said “Now Jack, I thought you went to Newry town; you might have bought a better suit than that for fifty pounds!”

“Well, I might have bought a better suit if I had had the chance. I met a girl in High Street and she’s asked me to a dance.” I danced me own destruction and I did it so complete, that I vow I’ll never go back again to dance in Patrick Street

So, come all of you young sailor boys, a warning take by me, And always keep good company when you go on a spree. Oh, please stay clear of Patrick Street or else you’ll rue the day In a woman’s skirt and jumper they will ship you back to sea!