The Chieftains + Van Morrison

¤  The Chieftains

The Irish band, which hasn’t stopped playing music since 1962, holds the record for being the artists who have toured the world more extensively: they’ve played countries which few people bother to visit. They also have the record for being the band which has played with the largest number of musicians: wherever they go, they get involved in cooperative projects with local musicians… In 2012, they celebrated their 50th anniversary with the release of their record Voice of Ages.

Current members

• Paddy Moloney – uilleann pipes, tin whistle, button accordion, bodhrán  [1962–2021]
• Seán Keane – fiddle, tin whistle (1968–present)
• Kevin Conneff – bodhrán, vocals (1976–present)
• Matt Molloy – flute, tin whistle (1979–present)

During a world tour celebrating 50 years as one of the most celebrated traditional Irish bands in history, The Chieftains stopped by WGBH’s Fraser Studio to share some tunes and have a few beers with fans and members of the WGBH Celtic Club  ⇓

◊  Women Of Ireland  ⇓  (Mná na h-Éireann)

∞  ‘Star Of The County Down’ ↓ [with Van Morrison]

In Banbridge Town in the County Down one morning last July,
From a boreen green came a sweet colleen and she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet to the sheen of her nut brown hair.
Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself for to see I was really there.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and from Galway to Dublin Town,
No maid I’ve seen like the brown colleen that I met in the County Down

At the Harvest Fair she’ll be surely there and I’ll dress in my Sunday clothes,
With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right for a smile from my nut brown rose.
No pipe I’ll smoke, no horse I’ll yoke till my plough turns rust coloured brown.
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside sits the star of the County Down.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay . . .

As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head, and I looked with a feelin’ rare,
And I says, says I, to a passer-by, «Who’s the maid with the nut brown hair?»
He smiled at me and he says, says he, «That’s the gem of Ireland’s crown.
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann – She’s the star of the County Down.»

From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay and from Galway to Dublin Town,
No maid I’ve seen like the brown colleen that I met in the County Down . . .

•→ ‘Hard Times Come Again no More’ ↔ [lyrics]

Worked all day with a bottle in my hand – Come on and give the fiddler a dram . . .

∞  ‘The Raggle Taggle Gypsy’   ⇓   [with Nickel Creek]

There were three old gypsies came to our house door
They came brave and boldly-o
The one sang high and the other sang low
And the other sang a raggle taggle gypsy-o

It was upstairs downstairs the lady went
Put on her suit of leather-o
And there was a cry from around the door
She’s away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o

It was late that night that the lord came in
Inquiring for his lady-o
And the servant girl she says to the lord
She’s away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o

Well saddle for me my milk white steed
My big horse is not speedy-o
I will ride, I will seek my bride
She’s away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o

He rode east and he rode west
He rode north and south also
Until he came to a wide open field
It was there that he spied his lady-o

Tell me how could you leave your goose feather bed
Your blankets strewn so comely-o?
How could you leave your newly wedded lord
All for a raggle taggle gypsy-o?

Well what do I care for my goose feather bed
With all my blankets strewn comely-o?
Tonight I lie in a wide open field
In the arms of a raggle taggle gypsy-o

Tell me how could you leave your house and your land?
How could you leave your money-o?
How could you leave your only wedded lord
All for that raggle taggle gypsy-o?

Well what do I care for my house and my land?
And what do I care for money-o?
I’d rather have a kiss from the yellow gypsy’s lips
I’m away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o

I’m away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o

⇓  ‘Frost Is All Over’

… What would you do if the kettle boiled over?
What would I do but to fill it again
What would you do if the cows eat the clover?
What would I do but to set it again
The praties are dug and the frost is all over
Kitty lie over close to the wall
How would you like to be married to a solider?
Kitty lie over close to the wall

What would you do if you married a solider?
What would I do only follow his gun
What would you do if he died on the ocean?
What would I do only marry again
The praties all boil and the herrings are roasted
Kitty lie over close to the wall
You to be drunk and I to be sober
Kitty lie over close to the wall

What would you do if the kettle . . .

⇐ w/ Sinead O’Connors

As down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I,
There armed lines of marching men in squadrons passed me by.
No pipe did hum, no battle drum did sound its loud tattoo
But the Angelus’ bells o’er the Liffey swells rang out in the foggy dew.

Right proudly high in Dublin town hung they out a flag of war.
‘Twas better to die ‘neath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sud el Bar.
And from the plains of Royal Meath strong men came hurrying through;
While Brittania’s Huns with their long-range guns sailed in through the foggy dew.

The bravest fell, and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Easter-tide in the springing of the year.
While the world did gaze with deep amaze at those fearless men but few
Who bore the fight that freedom’s light might shine through the foggy dew…

∴

∇  The Chieftains perform for a World Cafe Sense of Place Session   ⇓  [2018]

«The Wind From The South», «Princess Royal», «Nine Points of Roguery»,»Chattering Magpies», and «The Pretty Girls of Mayo»

∞  The Chieftains & The Corrs  ⇓  ‘Lough Erin Shore’ ←

•→ Txalapartari  eta  Chieftains ⇐

¤  VAN  MORRISON

♦  ‘Raglan Road’  ⇓   [with The Chieftains]

«On Raglan Road» is a well-known Irish song from a poem written by Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh named after Raglan Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin. It was first published as a poem on 3 October 1946 under the title «Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away.» The poem was put to music when the poet met Luke Kelly of the well-known Irish band The Dubliners in a pub in Dublin called The Bailey.

On Raglan Road on an Autumn Day, I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I may one day rue.
I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way
And I said let grief be a falling leaf at the dawning of the day.

On Grafton Street in November,
We tripped lightly along the ledge
Of a deep ravine where can be seen
The worst of passions pledged.
The Queen of Hearts still baking tarts And I not making hay,
Well I loved too much; by such and such
Is happiness thrown away.

I gave her the gifts of the mind. I gave her the secret sign
That’s known to all the artists who have known true Gods of Sound and Time.
With word and tint I did not stint.
I gave her reams of poems to say
With her own name there and her shiny dark hair
Like the clouds over fields of May.

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet,
I see her walking now away from me,
So hurriedly. My reason must allow,
For I have wooed, not as I should
A creature made of clay.
When the angel woos the clay, he’ll lose his wings at the dawn of the day

∇  ‘Crazy Love’  ⇓   [1989]

I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles
And the heaven’s open every time she smiles
And when I come to her that’s where I belong
Yet I’m running to her like a river’s song

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love . . .

She’s got a fine sense of humor when I’m feeling low down
And when I come to her when the sun goes down
Take away my trouble, take away my grief
Take away my heartache, in the night like a thief

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love . . .

Yes I need her in the daytime – Yes I need her in the night
Yes I want to throw my arms around her
Kiss her hug her kiss her hug her tight

And when I’m returning from so far away
She gives me some sweet lovin’ brighten up my day
Yes it makes me righteous, yes it makes me feel whole
Yes it makes me mellow down in to my soul

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love . . .

∇  ‘Keep It Simple’  ⇓

They mocked me when I was singing the songs
Trying to get back to something more simple than we have
They mocked me ‘cos I told it like it was

Wrote about disappointment and greed
Wrote about things we really didn’t need in our lives
Make us feel alive and whole

Illusions and pipe dreams on the one hand – And straight reality is always cold
Saying something hard edged is off the wall – And it just might seem too bold

Well, they mocked me when it got out of hand
Nobody tried to understand
Now we got to keep it simple and that’s that

Illusions and pipe dreams on the one hand – And straight reality sometimes seems too cold
Saying something hard edged is off the wall – And it just might be to be so bold

Well I’m down here on the running board
Where I’ve been many times before
But I got to keep it simple to save myself

Mocked me when I tried to get back
Said the train was completely off the track
And we got to get back to something simple to save ourselves

Whoa we got to get back to something simple just to save ourselves
Well got to get back to something simple just to save ourselves
Well you got to keep it simple – and that’s that

∇  ‘Too Late’  ⇓  [«Keep me singing»_2016]

Well it’s too late for a sorrow – For a sorrow, well it’s too late

And it’s too late for tomorrow – For tomorrow just can’t wait.

Well it’s too late crying down the rain – Well it’s too late to start all over again.

Can’t complain

♦  ‘Born To Sing’  ↓  [2012]

Man can be king – Seems to have everything
But it comes with a sting when you were born to sing
Reason doesn’t walk in – It’s not done on a whim
Passion’s everything when you were born to sing

 

Feeling good, singing the blues
You know it ain’t easy keep on paying them dues

When the band starts to swing, then you know everything

       ⇔‘Open The Door (To Your Heart)’

♦  ‘On Hyndford Street’  ↓

Take me back, take me way, way, way back

On Hyndford Street – Where you could feel the silence at half past eleven on long summer nights

As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg And the voices whispered across Beechie River

In the quietness as we sank into restful slumber in the silence

And carried on dreaming, in God

 

And walks up Cherry Valley from North Road Bridge, railway line on sunny summer afternoons

Picking apples from the side of the tracks that spilled over from the gardens of the houses on Cyprus Avenue

Watching the moth catcher working the floodlights in the evenings

And meeting down by the pylons

Playing round Mrs. Kelly’s lamp

Going out to Holywood on the bus And walking from the end of the lines to the seaside

Stopping at Fusco’s for ice cream in the days before rock `n’ roll

Hyndford Street, Abetta Parade, Orangefield, St. Donards Church, Sunday six bells,

and in between the silence there was conversation and laughter, and music and singing, and shivers up the back of the neck

 

And tuning in to Luxembourg late at night And jazz and blues records during the day

Also Debussy on the third programme early mornings when contemplation was best

Going up the Castlereagh hills And the cregagh glens in summer and coming back To Hyndford Street, feeling wondrous and lit up inside 

With a sense of everlasting life

And reading Mr. Jelly Roll and Big Bill Broonzy And «Really The Blues» by «Mezz» Mezzro And «Dharma Bums» by Jack Kerouac

Over and over again

And voices echoing late at night over Beechie River

And it’s always being now, and it’s always being now

And it’s always now… It’s always now

Can you feel the silence?

 

On Hyndford Street where you could feel the silence

At half past eleven on long summer nights

As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg

And the voices whispered across Beechie River

And in the quietness we sank into restful slumber in silence

And carried on dreaming in God. 

∞  ‘Coney Island’  ⇓  

(*) …The term «CRAIC» has nothing to do with the drug («crack») though they both sound the same. «Craic» is the magic word used throughout Ireland (Eire + Ulster) to refer to a nice chat with your mates, a good time in company of your friends.

Coney Island

Coming down from Downpatrick – Stopping off at St. John’s Point
Out all day birdwatching and the craic was good        (*)
Stopped off at Strangford Lough early in the morning
Drove through Shrigley taking pictures and on to Killyleagh
Stopped off for Sunday papers at the Lecale District,

just before Coney Island

On and on, over the hill to Ardglass in the jamjar,

autumn sunshine, magnificent and all shining through

Stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of mussels and some potted herrings

in case we get famished before dinner

On and on, over the hill and the craic is good          (*)
Heading towards Coney Island

I look at the side of your face as the sunlight comes
Streaming through the window in the autumn sunshine
And all the time going to Coney Island I’m thinking,
Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time.

• •  ‘Days Like This’  ⇑

When it’s not always raining, there’ll be days like this

When there’s no one complaining, there’ll be days like this

When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch

Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this

 

When you don’t need to worry, there’ll be days like this

When no one’s in a hurry, there’ll be days like this

When you don’t get betrayed by that old Judas kiss
Oh my mama told me there’ll be days like this

  

When you don’t need an answer, there’ll be days like this

When you don’t meet a chancer, there’ll be days like this 

When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit

Then I must remember there’ll be days like this

 

When everyone is up front and they’re not playing tricks

When you don’t have no freeloaders out to get their kicks

When it’s nobody’s business the way that you wanna live

I just have to remember there’ll be days like this

 

When no one steps on my dreams, there’ll be days like this

When people understand what I mean, there’ll be days like this

When you ring out the changes of how everything is

Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this… 

◊  ‘When The Leaves Come Falling Down’  ↓

I saw you standing with the wind and the rain in your face
And you were thinking ‘bout the wisdom of the leaves and their grace
When the leaves come falling down
In September when the leaves, come falling down

And at night the moon is shining on a clear, cloudless sky
And when the evening shadows fall I’ll be there by your side
When the leaves come falling down
In September when the leaves, come falling down

Follow me down, follow me down, follow me down
To the place beside the garden and the wall
Follow me down, follow me down
To the space before the twilight and the dawn

Oh, the last time I saw Paris in the streets, in the rain
And as I walk along the boulevards with you, once again
And the leaves come falling down
In September, when the leaves come falling down

Follow me down, follow me down, follow me down
To the place between the garden and the wall
Follow me down, follow me down
To the space between the twilight and the dawn

And as I’m looking at the colour of the leaves, in your hand
As we’re listening to Chet Baker on the beach, in the sand
When the leaves come falling down,
Woe in September, when the leaves come falling down
Oh when the leaves come falling down
Yeah in September when the leaves come falling down

When the leaves come falling down
In September, when the leaves come falling down
When the leaves come falling down in September, in the rain
When the leaves come falling down . . .

♦  ‘I’m Not Feeling It Anymore’ ⇓

Have to get back, have to get back the base

I need to talk to somebody  I can trust
There’s always too many cooks  out there  tryin’ to spoil the broth
And I can’t feel it in my throat, that’s all she wrote

I’m not feeling it no more, I’m not feeling it anymore

Tryin’ to give you the score  just like I did before

 

Now when I was high at the party, everything was always looking so good
I was seein’ through rose coloured glasses
But I wasn’t seein’ the trees for the woods
I started out in normal operation  but I just ended up in doubt
Well all my so-called drinking buddies just mess me about
I’m not feelin’ it no more, Not feelin’ it anymore
I’m tryin’ to give you the score just like I did before

 

You see me up there, I’m on that TV screen
But you should know better now, I told you before, it’s all so unreal
If this is success, then surely something must be wrong

All I need is sell my soul with a fountain pen, then I just had to play alone
But I’m not feelin’ it no more, I’m not feelin’ it anymore
Tryin’ to give you the score,  just like I did before

All right!

 

We all know that money don’t buy you love
As for me all I need is a job, a roof over my head and somewhere to live
Got to look for happiness always within yourself
And don’t go chasin’ thinkin’ that it is up there, somewhere else

Oh, I’m not feelin’ it no more,  I’m not feelin’ it anymore
Tryin’ to give you the score,  just like I did before

 

He/She was pretending all the time 

She was givin’ everybody what they wanted and then she completely lost her mind 

And all he ever wanted was simply just to be
He was searchin’ for the truth but the truth never set anybody free

No-no-no-no Not feelin’ it no more, I’m not feelin’ it anymore
Tryin’ to give you the score,  just like I did before . . .

 

∇   ‘These Are The Days’ ⇓

∴

←‘Cleaning Windows’⇐

∴

∞  w/  Chet Baker ⇓ ‘Send in The Clowns’  

[@ Ronnie Scott’s]

Isn’t it rich, are we a pair
Me finally here on the ground
and you in mid-air
Send in the clowns …
Isn’t it bliss, don’t you approve
One who keeps standing around
One who can’t move
Send in … Send in the clowns
Just when I’d stopped opening doors
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair
Sure of my lines
No one was there
A farce… My fault I fear,
I thought that you’d want what I want
Sorry my dear!
Send in the clowns …

Isn’t it rich, isn’t it queer
Losing my timing this late in my career
Send in the clowns . . .
Send them all in …
Don’t bother, they’re here

•→ ‘Reminds me of you’ ⇐                

∇   ‘Have I told you lately that I love you’  ↓

Have I told you lately that I love you

Have I told you there’s no one else above you

Fill my heart with gladness – Take away my sadness

Ease my troubles, that’s what you do 

 

For the morning sun in all it’s glory

greets the day with hope and comfort too

You fill my life with laughter – you can make it better

Ease my troubles that’s what you do

 

There’s a love that’s divine, and it’s yours and it’s mine like the sun

At the end of the day we should give thanks and pray to the one

 

Have I told you lately that I love you

Have I told you there’s no one above you

Fill my heart with gladness – Take away all my sadness

Ease my troubles that’s what you do 

 

There’s a love that’s divine and it’s yours and it’s mine just like the sun

And at the end of the day we should give thanks and pray to the one, to the one 

 

Have I told you lately that I love you

Have I told you there’s no one above you

You fill my heart with gladness – take away my sadness

Ease my troubles – that’s what you do

Take away all my sadness – Fill my life with gladness

Ease my troubles that’s what you do

Fill my life with gladness – Take away all my sadness

Ease my troubles that’s what you do

:::     

 ⇔ ‘Magic Time’ ⇐[lyrics]

∇   ‘One Irish Rover’  ⇓                            

Tell me the story now – Now that it’s over
Wrap it in glory for one Irish Rover

Tell me you see the light, tell me that you know me
Make it come out alright and wrap it in glory

I can tell by the light in your eye
That you’re so far away
Like a ship out on the sea without a sail
you’ve gone astray

Tell me the facts real straight
Don’t make me over
Wrap it in glory
For one Irish Rover . . .

Tell me you see the light, tell me that you know me
Make it come out alright and wrap it in glory
For one Irish Rover…
One Irish Rover…

♦  Live at Rockpalast  ↓  [1998]

Pee Wee Ellis – tenor sax + Candy Dulfer – alto sax + Matt Holland – trumpet + Fred Wesley – trombone + Katie Kissoon – vocals + Ralph Salmins & Geoff Dunn – drums + Nicky Scott – bass + John Savannah – keyboards + Johnny Scott – guitar

-click for lyrics…

01      Instrumental intro «Chicken»
02      Jackie Wilson said
03      These dreams of you
04      Raincheck
05      Moondance
06      My funny Valentine
07      Rough God goes riding
08      Give me a kiss
09      That’s life
10      Naked in the jungle
11       In the afternoon
12       Satisfied
13      Georgia on my mind
14      Call me up in dreamland
15      Summertime in England
16      Soldier of fortune (Medley)
17      Have I told you lately

¤ Van Morrison Biography:  Life and Career of the Singer-Songwriter