By researching this song I've learned about the history of the Irish people. I've known the song since the 70's, but didn't know then I'd be living on the land of Irish immigrants. They came to California seeking to escape harsh conditions and ended up working hard in the mines and on farms, just like in my once-thriving community of Smartsville. For more information about this happy, hopeful tune see this week's Tune of the Week .

A song O'Carolan wrote in honor of Dr. John Stafford, friend and patron, in celebration when he prescribed whiskey to treat depression, after the blind harpist had become depressed when another doctor had him refrain from whiskey for a medical condition.

O'Carolan composed this in honor of the 4th Earl of Inchiquin, County Clare, Ireland. It sounds like a minuet until the second part, when O'Carolan's signature melody surprises are heard.

O'Carolan composed this in honor of the 4th Earl of Inchiquin, County Clare, Ireland. It sounds like a minuet until the second part, when O'Carolan's signature melody surprises are heard.

An 8th century Irish hymn. The English translation is beautiful.

An Irish waltz included in the early 1800's harp collections of Edward Bunting, who also collected many of O'Carolan's pieces.

This song is so pretty it's hard to imagine it's about a quarrel, but I think the landlady didn't want him to keep drinking her supply of ale, so he argues about it. At least that's what the biographic sources say.

I learned this version from Leon Hunt

Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) was influenced by Italian composers and this is one of his best such tunes.

First played in waltz time, then as a hornpipe.