Hello Traveler, happy St. Patrick’s Day! This is Elsie, your host of Tunes from the Tavern, the fantasy/ bardcore show here on WMWC.
This week, in celebration of the great holiday, we will be listening to some of my favorite Irish Drinking songs! In high school I had a pretty solid phase where I would just bing listen to Irish Drinking and Folk songs, so here is the fruit of that labor.
What we think of as Irish Pub songs come from the 1960s folk revival. Before then, these folk songs were not usually sung in Pubs or other drinking establishments. Bands like the Dubliner’s popularized this music with instrumental accompaniment.
Up first we have,
- “The Wild Rover”
- “The Rocky Road to Dublin”
- “Whiskey in the Jar
One of the bands founded in the 60s Folk revival is The Irish Rovers, who are now one of the most well-known Celtic Folk bands. Celebrating their 60th anniversary in 2023, there is only one Rover standing, George Millar, one of the two brothers who originated the band. This year, the “60-years a roving” tour is in motion, but the future of the Rovers is uncertain. Here is,
- “Ill Tell Me Ma/ Belle of Belfast”
- “Finnegan’s Wake”
A more recent, but no less popular addition to the Celtic folk scene are the High Kings, created in 2007. The band performed for Former president Barack Obama in 2012, are currently on tour, and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Here is,
- “Irish Pub Song”
- “Marie’s Wedding”
- “The Rising of the Moon”
Up next is
- “Seven Drunken Nights” The Dubliners
- “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” Wolfe Tones
Next up is
- “Black Velvet Band” Dubliners
- “Hoist Your Cup High” by The Langer’s Ball
Penultimate songs are,
- “General Guinness” by Seamus Kennedy
- “Whiskey, You’re the devil” The Clancy Brothers
Last up, is one of the most famous Irish Songs, here is
- “The Rattlin’ Bog” Seamus Kennedy
Well traveler, it’s time to go on your way. Thank you for joining me at WMWC and I’ll see you next week for a look into Medieval Revival
https://www.enjoy-irish-culture.com/Irish-pub-songs.html
https://www.cbc.ca/music/a-brief-history-of-drinking-songs-1.5070012
https://www.thehighkings.com/meet