We sat in the parking space and chatted while everyone finished their dose of caffeine. Somehow we got on the subject of traditional songs we all know and Ger began to sing one in Irish. My ears perked up when I thought I recognized some words and a bit of the tune. I began quietly singing a song I learned in university some 30 years ago. To my surprise, some of the words were the same! And here, at the time I learned it, I thought the chorus was made up of nonsense words! All this time, I�d been sing bastardized Irish! Jim also piped up, singing a version of the same song that Anita Best and Pamela Morgan had recorded. What an unusual chorus we were! All singing the version we knew, slightly different tunes, in different languages, but with it all blending together. What a sound bite it was - the three of us singing a 17th century Irish song in 2005 in St. John's, Newfoundland!
It intrigued me that we could grow up in 3 different corners of the world, separated by thousands of miles and all have this common base. I came back home and looked it up on the Internet, The song Ger sang in Irish was called Shule Agra, a 17th century Irish song. The words are similar to those of Shule Aroon, an 18th century American song, which is similar to the one I learned in the 1970�s, called Johnny�s Gone for a Soldier, made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary. Go here, to check out the song as I learned it. The other versions are there on the website, too! It�s worth a listen to hear all the versions.
We stopped at Michelle�s bakery on the way home and picked up the makings of breakfast. Lillian created some most delicious ham & cheese croissants and then I dove her to work. I picked up some flyers and posters there and delivered them to various places around town.
Who should I see walking down Water Street but Martin Finn! I pulled over and asked if he needed a ride anywhere. He told me he was headed over to Ron Hynes house and forgot how to get there. He and Mick were doing some songwriting and wanted Ron�s help. Ron had invited all the Irishmen over a couple nights ago. He introduced them to the Signal Hill Trail and everyone climbed to the top. Clare, Niall and Ger had mentioned to me how windy it was. It�s always windy on Signal Hill. I told Martin I knew how to get to the general vicinity where Ron lives, but I didn�t know exactly where he lived. Martin said he could get me to the house if I drove there. |
