THE SHANNEKE
20 miles from nowhere, 20 years behind the times
on the west coast of Connamara, on the Galway county line
The shannake sings his stories to families sitting by the heat
Telling news, history and folk lore, with a bodrhan beat
He sang about these strangers who followed the peat bog trail
To this village called Tully Cross , and here begins the tale
They'd traveled from Cork to Limerick, past Shannon, then lost their way
So they stopped to see the sunset on our beautiful Galway Bay
The road signs in gaelic, sheep painted red and blue
They'd been no living soul , since leaving Kilaloo
A few coloured front doors, shone bright against grey skys
Picture squeak cottages, drying peat stacked roof high
They came into our only pub, song and music in the air
Mixed with smells of whisky, peat blocks and stewing fare
A grand time was brewing, great craic when they came in
Cos we had seen no strangers, after 20 years it's been
The lass she played a song, had us crying in our ale
Himself drinking irish coffee, telling us of his tale
When all was said and done and the ambers getting low
We gave them place to lay their heads, by the orange glow
20 miles from nowhere, 20 years behind the times
on the west coast of Connamara, on the Galway county line
The shannake sings his stories to families sitting by the heat
Of these strangers from some where, folk tales to bodrhan beat
Translation for those who need it or want it ...
Shanneke....................... traditional irish story teller
Craic?(pronounced crack)........excitement
Bodrhan ( pronounced bowron)... irish drum used by the shanneke
go well
Ja'mir
I am a cloud within a cloud http://www.justjamir.com
you can hear my songs at :
Glad to see you back Jamir! I knew this topic would be right up your alley.
This is a great story and I can really see everything you've got going on. Its got a great sentimentality to it.
One thing though
THE SHANNEKE
The lass she played a song, had us crying in our ale
Himself drinking irish coffee, telling us of his tale
When all was said and done and the ambers getting low
We gave them place to lay their heads, by the orange glow
The word "himself" seems just grammatically incorrect.... "he was" might work better. Â "gave them place" is the same way but i don't have a suggestion for it. I don't know if these were intentional things or if its part of the language you wanted to use. Just seemed a bit "off" to me.
Good song though
-Marv
Thanks for the feedback Marv,
I know it is gramatically incorrect in the places you mentioned and a few more besides. They are intentional as it is sung by the Shanneke in "Irish" english, the way he would say it.
himself is actually very commen usage and very quaint to the foreigner. If i met you , I would say," so hows himself then"...... when talking to you.
My partner Tony has agreed to record it for me with his very broad Dublin accent, it is going to be really great. I play the bodrhan, and that is all the backing it should have so it should go really well.
go well and thanks again.
Ja'mir ;)
I am a cloud within a cloud http://www.justjamir.com
you can hear my songs at :
I knew this weeks assignment would lure you out of sabbatical. Great to see you back jamir. This is a wonderful song. With only slight variations, it could be any one of a number of towns I've been in. But it reminded me very much of my youth. Thank you.
-- Scratch
Talk about being transported to a place. Wow! When you do post this, I'm going to have to get my hands on a computer that will allow me to have a listen!
Peace
Thanks David, high praise indeed coming from you, this has made my day
Go well
Ja'mir ;D
I am a cloud within a cloud http://www.justjamir.com
you can hear my songs at :
Great song! :) I especially love the Irish topical matter as a (terrible) whistler, myself.
When blessed with the heart of the poet and graced by Celtic roots it's no wonder that once again your submission can take my breath away.
Briliant
Bob :)
You are what you eat, eat well
