Vocals and Lyrics: Country and Irish singer/entertainer; Banagher, County Offaly born Johnny McEvoy.
The beautiful song hereunder, “The Planter’s Daughter”, was written about Odette McEvoy, latter the authors wife, whom he met in 1967, before marrying in 1970. The song suggests that she was a descendant of 12th century planters; following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, “Strongbow’s (Richard de Clare) blood ran in your veins”.
The Planters Daughter.
March winds were blowing when we met. A moment in time we won’t forget. Rain drops were falling at your feet, Reflecting your beauty on the street. Grafton Street was empty of all charm. You reached out and took me by the arm. I’ve never felt as good as I felt then, And I knew I’d never be the same again. Down where the old churchyard lies, Under the grey midland skies, Tumbled down and broken. Who’d say it’s not right, Our ancestors might, But I’ll always love the planter’s daughter. Strongbow’s blood ran in your veins. Of myself, I couldn’t say the same, But somehow it seemed to be OK, And it didn’t really matter anyway. Were I to live a thousand years, Or hear the angels whisper in my ears, And sit and watch the sunlight fade away, I never will forget that one spring day . Down where the old churchyard lies, Under the grey midland skies, Tumbled down and broken, Who’d say it’s not right, Our ancestors might, But I’ll always love the planter’s daughter. Down where the old churchyard lies, Under the grey midland skies, Tumbled down and broken, Who’d say it’s not right, Our ancestors might But I’ll always love the planter’s daughter.
Vocals: American neotraditional country music singer/songwriter, Alan Eugene Jackson. Lyrics: Irish-born Canadian poet, the late Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1819-1886), and American attorney, and composer of Church songs, the late Charles Converse (1832-1918).
What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer.
What a peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share. Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Lyrics: Singer/song-writer from Grimsby, east coast of United Kingdom, John Conolly. Vocals: Folk singers and traditional Celtic musicians ‘The New Barleycorn’, (John Delaney and Alec DeGabriele).
Fiddler’s Green.
As I walked by the dockside one evening so fair, To view the salt water and take the sea air, I heard an old fisherman singing his song, Sing take me away boys, me time is not long.
Chorus: Wrap me up in me oilskins and jumpers, No more on round docks I’ll be seen, Just tell me old shipmates I’m taking a trip mates, And I’ll see you someday in Fiddler’s Green,*
Now Fiddler’s Green is a place I’ve heard tell, Where fishermen go if they don’t go to hell, Where the skies are all clear and the dolphins do play, And the cold coast of Greenland is far, far away.
Repeat Chorus: When you land on the docks and the long trip is through, There’s pubs and there’s clubs and there’s lassies there too, Where the girls are all pretty and the beer it is free, And there’s bottles of rum hanging from every tree.
Repeat Chorus: Now I don’t want a harp nor a halo, not me, Just give me a breeze and a dark rolling sea, And I’ll play me old squeeze-box, as we sail along, With the wind in the riggin’ to sing me a song.
Chorus: Wrap me up in me oilskins and jumpers No more round the docks I’ll be seen Just tell me old shipmates I’m taking a trip mates And I’ll see you someday in Fiddler’s Green Just tell me old shipmates I’m taking a trip mates And I’ll see you someday in Fiddler’s Green.
END
* Note:Legend has it that Fiddler’s Green refers to the afterlife.
Lyrics: Retired American singer and songwriter Gretchen Peters. Vocals: Powerful voice of American country/pop singer and songwriter Martina Mariea McBride.
Independence Day.
Well, she seemed all right by dawn’s early light, Though she looked a little worried and weak. She tried to pretend he wasn’t drinkin’ again, But daddy left the proof on her cheek, I was only eight years old that summer, And I always seemed to be in the way, So I took myself down to the fair in town, On Independence Day. Well, word gets around in a small, small town, They said he was a dangerous man, But mama was proud and she stood her ground, She knew she was on the losin’ end. Some folks whispered, some folks talked, But everybody looked the other way, And when time ran out there was no one about, On Independence Day. Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing, Let the whole world know that today, Is a day of reckoning. Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong, Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, It’s Independence Day. Well, she lit up the sky that fourth of July, By the time that the firemen come. They just put out the flames, And took down some names, And send me to the county home. Now I ain’t sayin’ it’s right or it’s wrong, But maybe it’s the only way. Talk about your revolution, It’s Independence Day. Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing, Let the whole world know that today, Day of reckoning. Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong, Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, It’s Independence Day. Roll the stone away, It’s Independence Day.
Wishing all of our readers, both at home and abroad, a very happy 2025.
To all of our many readers and followers on social media, goes the wish that individually you each experience a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year during 2025 and indeed, in the years beyond.
Bringing In A Brand New Year.
Lyrics: American blues singer, pianist and songwriter the late Tony Russell “Charles” Mose Brown, (1922-1999). Vocals:Charles Mose Brown.
Bringing In A Brand New Year.
At the stroke of midnight, On that great holiday, Gonna have a ball, And that ain’t all, Gonna chase my blues away. I’ll be bringin’ in a brand new year, Bringin’ in a brand new year, Gonna have a dance, Take a chance at romance, While bringin’ in a brand new year.
Gonna be a big parade, Got my resolution made, Listen, dear, won’t you meet me here, While bringin’ in a brand new year.
Gonna ride a bubble, Way up above the stars, And while I twirl, Above the world, Gonna take a trip to Mars.
I’ll be bringin’ in a brand new year, Bringin’ in a brand new year, Listen, dear, won’t you meet me here, While bringin’ in a brand new year.
Sailin’ down a rainbow, I’ll play with Lady Boone,* If she raises a sigh, Or winks her eye, I won’t be back ’til June.
I’ll be bringin’ in a brand new year, Bringin’ in a brand new year, Listen, dear, won’t you meet me here, While bringin’ in a brand new year. Oh listen, dear, won’t you meet me here, While bringin’ in a brand new year.
END.
[*Boone: From an old French nickname ‘bon’ meaning ‘good’– hence ‘Lady Good’.]
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