Why do old ballads endure? Does it make sense to sing about Willie and Mary, when our playgrounds are filled with Ozzies and Loxleys? Do we really need to say “my love is like a red, red rose,” or can’t we use a modern metaphor and call her really hot? Laura Cortese, Cathy Jordan, Sam Amidon, Robbie O’Connell, and Karan Casey help host Shannon Heaton explore old ballads in a dating app era.

There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below.

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Special thanks to Brian Benscoter, Pat Wilcox, Mike Schock, Billie Neal for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music.

There’s plenty of music here, too. Credits below.

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Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!

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Visit IrishMusicStories.org

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Music Heard on IMS Episode 17 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated

Song: “Lovely Annie,” from Tell You in Earnest Artists: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Song: “Shanagolden,” from The Thrush in the Storm Artist: Dervish (Cathy Jordan singing)

Song: “Sabai Sabai” Artist: Matt Heaton

Song: “Low Hum,” from California Calling Artist: Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards

Song: “Heartstrings Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton

Song: “Banks of Red Roses,” from Happy DazeArtist: Karine Polwart with the Battlefield Band  

Song: “After Hours Theme,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton

Song: “Jersey City,” from Nic Gareiss & Emma BeatonArtists: Nic Gareiss & Emma Beaton

Song: “Lily-O” from Lily-O Artist: Sam

Tunes: “Jackie Coleman’s Reel” from Music at Matt Molloy’sArtists: Matt Molloy and co.

Song: Streets of Derry” from Bright Sunny SouthArtist: Sam Amidon

Song: “Pretty Fair Damsel” from I See the SignArtist: Sam Amidon

Song: “The Green Gowned Lass,” from Thrush in the StormArtist: Dervish

Song: “Érin Grá Mo Chroí,” from Midsummer’s NightArtist: Dervish

Tune: “The Rolling Wave,” from Thrush in the StormArtist: Dervish

Tune: “Celtic Grooves,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton

Song: “Once There Was a Little Girl” from Children’s Songs and Stories Artist: Ed McCurdy 

Song: “The Keeper of the Songs,”  Live at WGBHArtist: Robbie O’Connell 

Song: “The Winning Side,” from The Rights of Man: The Concert for Joseph DohertyArtists: Robbie O’Connell, Mick Moloney, Jimmy Keane  

Song: “Siúil Arun” AKA Johnny’s Gone for Soldier, from SolasArtists: Solas

Tune: “Slip Jig Dreams,” from Production Music Made for Irish Music StoriesArtist: Matt Heaton

Song: “Ae Fond Kiss,” from Ships in the ForestArtist: Karan Casey

Song: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” from I Am…. Sasha FierceArtist: Beyoncé