By Marc Gunn
The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.
How a musician saved the lives of hundreds of people on a sinking cruise ship. A story of bravery, leadership, and extreme cowardice.
Is Wild Mountain Thyme an Scottish song or an Irish song?
And guess which recorder player can be heard in a jewelry shop in the Highlands of Scotland?
It’s Pub Songs & Stories #244.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:33 - WHAT’S NEW?
3:25 - UPCOMING SHOWS
3:46 - STORY OF OCEANOS
What would you do if your ship started to sink? Jump ship or do what it takes to save the lives of hundreds of people.
Paul Eastman is our storyteller today. He is the lead singer and songwriter for the Celtic Rock band, Coast. He tells the story of Moss Hill, a musician on a cruise ship whose bravery saved the passengers.
MTS Oceanos was a cruise ship that sank in 1991. It suffered uncontrolled flooding. Her captain and some of the crew were convicted of negligence for fleeing the ship without helping the passengers, who were rescued thanks to the efforts of the ship's entertainers.
But I’ll let Coast tell that story...
12:54 - “Oceanos” by Coast from 10.2
You can find out more about the band on their website. They also have music video with footage from the ship as people are rescued and it eventually sinks.
And you can watch a documentary about the Oceanos on their blog.
This is from their latest album, 10.2. If you enjoy the band, the music, the story, please...
17:45 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
The musicians on this podcast are happy to share their music freely with you. You can find their music on streaming music sites. But streaming is a way to sample the music. If you hear something you love, these artists need your support.
Please visit their website, sign up to their mailing list and buy something. You could buy a digital download, a shirt, a sticker, a pin, a songbook, jewelry, or even the classic physical CD. Your purchase allows them to keep making music. And if you’re not into the physical stuff, many artists accept tips or are on Patreon. So again please support the arts.
If this show made you happy, then you can also join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email. Save 15% with an annual membership.
18:38 - NEXT TIME
We’re stepping back in time as I share Stories from how my music career began. It’s all from a live episode of Pub Songs & Stories that was recorded at CONjuration in Atlanta.
Loreena McKennit is coming to an episode soon.
19:03 - STORY OF WILD MOUNTAIN THYME
"Wild Mountain Thyme", also known as "Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?", is a Scottish/Irish folk song. Yes. Scottish AND Irish.
The lyrics and melody are based on the song "The Braes of Balquhither" by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill and Scottish composer Robert Archibald Smith. They were adapted by Belfast musician Francis McPeake into "Wild Mountain Thyme".
According to Wikipedia, Tannahill's original song was first published in Robert Archibald Smith's Scottish Minstrel. It is about the hills (braes) around Balquhidder near Lochearnhead. Tannahill collected and adapted traditional songs.
"The Braes of Balquhither" may have been based on the traditional song "The Braes o' Bowhether".
McPeake is said to have dedicated the song to his first wife, but his son wrote an additional verse in order to celebrate his father's remarriage. "Wild Mountain Thyme" was first recorded by McPeake's nephew, also named Francis McPeake, in 1957 for the BBC series As I Roved Out.
While Francis McPeake holds the copyright to the song, it is generally believed that rather than writing the song, he arranged an existing travelling folk version and popularised the song as his father's.
When interviewed on radio, Francis McPeake said it was based on a song he heard whilst travelling in Scotland, and he rewrote it later. Bob Dylan's recording of the song cited it as traditional, with the arranger unknown, though Dylan's copyright records indicate that the song is sometimes "attributed to" McPeake.
In her book Fragrance and Wellbeing: Plant Aromatics and Their Influence on the Psyche, author Jennifer Peace Rhind describes "Wild Mountain Thyme" as essentially a love song, with the line, "Wild Mountain Thyme grows among the Scottish heather" perhaps being an indirect reference to the old custom of young women wearing a sprig of thyme, mint or lavender to attract a suitor. Rhind also notes that, in British folklore, the thyme plant was the fairies' playground and often the herb would be left undisturbed for their use.
As for me, I don’t remember where I found the song. But it would’ve been when I started performing at Renaissance festivals or possibly MP3.com.
Andrew McKee and I worked our first arrangement for the song in 2000 for the Brobdingnagian Bards album Gullible’s Travels. It was later re-recorded with a better version for A Faire to Remember. It stands out largely because of Andrew’s recorder solo. It’s beautiful. But it’s also just a gorgeous song, covered by many people.
One of my favorite moments for this song happened on my Celtic Invasion of the Highlands of Scotland in 2013. We were staying in Aviemore, Scotland in the Highlands. I remember walking through the gift shop, when I heard Andrew’s unmistakeable recorder playing. My mind nearly exploded as I searched the shop for the origins of the sound.
I found a small glass cabinet that had jewelry in it. Gorgeous jewelry made of compressed heather. There were necklaces, earrings, pendants and brooches. It was just fantastic.
Then there was like a TARDIS in my brain. It flashed back to an email I had received years earlier. A company asked me if they could use our recording in their shop. So there it was the Brobdingnagian Bards, or rather Andrew McKee, because it was really just the recorder part, on repeat in Scotland.
You can check out the company at heathergems.com.
In the summer of 2009, I worked out a new arrangement of the song for my CD, The Bridge. That version also inspired a lot of people. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album.
I love this song, but one of the things that made me so proud about performing this song is hearing my own improvement in singing. It’s one of those songs that as I got better, I developed a better ability to phrase things in how it’s sung. It makes me feel really good about my own vocal abilities.
24:05 - “Wild Mountain Thyme” by Marc Gunn from The Bridge
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#coastband #wildmountainthyme #oceanos #pubsongs #heathergems
Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer play music for Contra Dances. Find out why there aren’t more songs sung at such dances.
What is the D song? Marc Gunn shares how a New Orleans jam session found a little gospel in an old Scottish song.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:33 - WHAT’S NEW?
2:19 - UPCOMING SHOWS
3:11 - STORY OF A LIFETIME OF DANCING
Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer effortlessly blend traditional material with contemporary sounds. Their performances showcase new interpretations of old songs alongside original self penned tunes and new contemporary songs that are entirely at home in the tradition.
They also perform at Contra Dances. Contra dance is a folk dance made up of long lines of couples. It has mixed origins from English country dance, Scottish country dance, and French dance styles in the 17th century, according to Wikipedia.
I have loved their music for many years. In fact, you can hear their music on this podcast, and my Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I also have an interview and performance from them from my Celtic Invasion of Wales. That was released on my Celtfather Music & Travel podcast.
Today, Vicki and Jonny will tell you how and why they wrote their song “Jiggle the Old Bones”.
8:09 - “Jiggle the Old Bones” by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer from Sleep Deprivation
Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer are full-time musicians. Like many musicians, their lives were impacted by Covid. So if you enjoyed that song, go buy the download or buy any of their albums. I’m not sure which album to recommend, because I love them all. But this song from Sleep Deprivation is a favorite in my family. It gives me a thrill every time one it plays on their Spotify playlist and they squeal with delight. I think that sums up Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer’s music to me.
You can find all of the music, song lyrics, sheet music, plus live streaming videos, and even a Patreon page. It’s all on their website at http://www.swan-dyer.co.uk/.
14:04 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email. Save 15% with an annual membership.
14:24 - NEXT TIME
I have a great story from the band Coast. They talk about a horrible accident at sea with a cowardly captain and some amazing passengers who stood up to the challenge.
14:40 - STORY OF MINGULAY BOAT SONG
“Mingulay Boat Song” is a fantastic song. I’ve heard many versions of the songs over the years as it was popular not only among Celtic music fans but also among Renaissance festival fans. I don’t remember where I first heard the song. Sadly, iTunes is no help. My iTunes was overhauled in 2011. So the earliest versions I have are by an MP3.com band, Celtic Nots, and the Flying Fish Sailors. I’ll be honest, neither of those versions stood out to me.
I also recorded the song in 2006 or 2007 with Captain Black Jack Murphy. So who knows…
Let’s start with the history of the song, then I’ll talk about my recording of the song.
The song was written by Sir Hugh S. Roberton in the 1930s, according to Wikipedia. Roberton was a Scottish composer from Glasgow. He founded the Glasgow Orpheus Choir. This was a widely-acclaimed choir that focused on Scottish folks, Italian madrigals, plus some works by many of Europe’s most-famous composers. He also wrote “Westering Home” and “Mairi’s Wedding”. He was knighted in 1931.
However I found the song, it was the summer of 2009 when I was at Jamie Haeuser’s home on the North shore of New Orleans when two of her friends came over, Michael Younger and Big Jim. We had a blissful afternoon jam session. We sang countless songs. This was when Jamie’s voice first stood out to me as sounding really good with mine.
“Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” was one that sounded particularly good together. But it was “Mingulay Boat Song” that stood out the best.
Jamie grew up in New Orleans. She has a particular fondness for the music of New Orleans, blues, jazz, gospel, and also Celtic music, of course. But that day as I was singing “Mingulay”, Jamie did something exceptional with the song. She gave it this bluesy gospel background vocal. It was magical.
Sometimes when you’re playing music with others, you do something so special. Everyone is overcome with joy and elation. That was one of those moments. I remember feeling SO excited, like “What just happened?!” It was incredible.
And it sat with me. We sang the song now and then. Each time we would vary things up. Each time, we danced around that first time. It was not quite there, but it was always fantastic.
In 2011, I wanted to record several CDs in one sitting. I typically record music live. Just me and the autoharp. I can then layer on other instruments. I just needed to make the time to do it.
In October the year before, my daughter Kenzie was born with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. I didn’t really have much time to record while my wife was pregnant. I certainly didn’t have much time after my daughter was born. So I came up with a cool idea. I would rent a house somewhere and spend all weekend recording.
My wife had a friend in Lexington, Kentucky at the time. So I booked a house in January 2011. We drove up there, snow on the ground. She drove to Lexington all day. I recorded the music for what would eventually become three albums: St Patrick’s Day, Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits, and Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion.
There were a lot of great tracks that came out of that recording session. That music would establish my musical style for the next five years. One of the tracks the great tracks that came out of that session was “Mingulay Boat Song”.
The song was played in the Key of C. The base recording of my vocals and autoharp was solid. It was slow and languorous. It had so much soulful feeling. But it was the overdubs that made it stand out. That was kind of an accident.
After I got home, I sent the tracks off to musicians to record. Daniel Briggs was my main musician for that album. He added bass and a very simple strum pattern on his octave mandolin. He also sent some background harmonies. Mostly, I loved his tracks. But when I finished mixing the track. It still didn’t stand out. It needed Jamie Haeuser… or at least what Jamie did on that jam session years earlier.
She wasn’t available at the time so I thought I’d give it a try. Two things stood out to me. First my USB digital interface had a limiting feature. That means if something gets too loud, the device cuts off the part that peaks. I am not a techie. I kind of randomly set it up. The limiter was way too high for this song. If you know what you’re listening for, you can hear me hit some powerful notes and it changes the sound of the vocals a little. Different from what I was originally singing. That gives it part of its really cool sound.
But I can’t discount my vocals. I tried to imitate what Jamie had done back in 2009. It came off incredible. It’s by far my favorite song on the album. However, it was really hard to pull off during live concerts. It took a couple years to master singing it in the same key. Frequently, I would blow my voice by the time the song was. My voice was much more gruff after that.
That said, I no longer sing it in the Key of C, which is the key it was recorded in. I found during live concerts, my voice was too low to be heard easily. It took a while. I raised it to the key of D. Even higher and more difficult to sing. Somehow, with lots and lots of practice, that became easy too.
The final thing I want to say about the song is that sometimes I call it the “D Song”. That’s because one day at the beginning of 2020, my wife called out at a brewery and said, “Play the D song”. I had no clue what she was talking about. And ironically, she had no clue the song was in the key of D. But somehow I figured it out and that’s become our inside joke.
Alright, without further adieu, let me sing to you “Mingulay Boat Song” in the key of D.
21:44 - “Mingulay Boat Song” from Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #mingulayboatsong #vickiswanjonnydyer
Jim McKenna shares a lament for Irish famine victims and his relatives. Bugs Bunny gets chased by Witch Hazel in a song by Marc Gunn.
It’s Pub Songs & Stories #242.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:23 - WHAT’S NEW?
3:34 - UPCOMING SHOWS
4:10 - STORY OF A FAMINE VICTIM
Jim McKenna is a Boston piper and composer. Members of his family emigrated to Boston during the Irish Famine. Daniel, and his brother Neil, were two of the six founding members of the American Society of Hibernians (later merging with the Ancient Order of Hibernians) in Boston on March 17, 1857. This organization was formed "for the purpose of rendering assistance to the sick and disabled members of their society, and also of providing for the decent burial of the dead". Jim's great-great uncle from Drumkeeran Ireland, Thomas McPartlin, performed traditional music on the banjo in Boston during the late 1800's.
In November 2017, Jim's performance of his composition "Lament for Bridget O'Donnel: A Victim of Famine" was included in the soundtrack of the Kilkenny Famine Experience Memorial audio visual tour.
8:27 - “Lament For The Forgotten Irish Of Catholic Mt. Auburn Cemetery” by Jim McKenna
12:37 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email. Save 15% with an annual membership.
12:51 - NEXT TIME
The next episode of the podcasts is scheduled to come out on November 9. That’s because next week, I will record my monthly update for Celtfather Music & Travel. You definitely want to stick around. I’ll tell you the story of my recording of Mingulay Boat Song. Plus, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer want you to dance.
13:19 - STORY OF BUGS BUNNY and HALLOWEEN
I loved Bugs Bunny growing up. Who didn’t. The show was packed with incredible comedy that was pretty appealing to most people, a little slapstick, a little satirical. A lot of classic fun.
Back in 2006, Halloween was approaching. Charlie Brown might’ve had the Great Pumpkin. But I never found near as much fun as Bugs Bunny and Witch Hazel. I decided to write a song.
The original story starts with Witch Hazel brewing a potion on Halloween. As she collects an ingredient, she stops to ask her Magic Mirror, “Who is the ugliest one of all.” The Genie declares it is Witch Hazel.
The doorbell rings. Bugs Bunny is out trick or treating dressed as a witch. Witch Hazel worries that she’s not as ugly as the Bugs Bunny Witch. Her mirror confirms that Bugs is uglier. So Witch Hazel invites Bugs in to drink tea under the pretense to learn all of Bugs’ ugly secrets. The tea is actually a potion that’ll turn Witch Bugs pretty.
Bugs Bunny removes his mask to drink. Witch Hazel remembers a recipe that needs a “rabbit’s clavicle”. And the chase begins. They race around the house until Witch Hazel catches Bugs.
She catches Bugs, ties him up and goes to sharpen her knife. But Bugs looks at her with those big eyes and Witch Hazel breaks down in tears. Bugs reminds her of Paul, her pet tarantula.
Still tied up in rope, Bugs hops over to and brings Witch Hazel some comforting tea… the same tea that is actually a beauty potion. Witch Hazel turns into a knockout redhead. She ask the Genie in the Magic Mirror who is the ugliest. The Genie boards his magic carpet and chases after Witch Hazel into the night’s sky.
My story isn’t at all different from the original. In fact, it’s basically a retelling of the story in poetical song form. I’ll be honest. I love the rhythm and music of the song. It’s fun. But if I were writing it today, I would’ve done it quite differently. I’m not entirely sure how I would change it. But as it is I still love it.
Let me know what you think...
17:02 - “A Rabbit for Halloween” from What Color Is Your Dragon?
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #mingulayboatsong
Murphy’s Law happens to the best of us including most musicians, but the Homespun Ceilidh Band turned a bunch of funny stories inspired by the Law into a fun song.
Marc Gunn shares a story about another Murphy, Captain Black Jack Murphy, and how a Talk Like a Pirate Day accent led to a dreadful story of air pirates and hunting dragons.
It’s all on Pub Song & Stories #241.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:36 - NEWS IN THE PUB
2:49 - UPCOMING SHOWS
3:59 - STORY OF MURPHY’S LAW
Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to Daphne Arthur from the Homespun Ceilidh Band. Daphne shares a story about Murphy’s Law and how that turned into a song. But she also shared a story with me, right after sending me the audio files that I could relate to.
“since I know how you feel about cats, I should share this: Guillaume (alien disguised as a dilute-orange tabby) was pestering me the whole time I was recording this afternoon. Pawing my leg, trying to tell me he Needed Something Urgently -- with a short break in the middle to sulk ("Look upon your poor, despondent cat, and feel guilty!") Didn't want petting or scritching, didn't want to be picked up ... I saved & exported my work and came into the next room. He followed me and immediately started eating. He wasn't asking for more kibble -- there was plenty -- but he needed me to Be There before he'd eat.
My last cat, Perrine, was even more like that -- she preferred that I not only be present, but eating, when she ate.”
9:24 - “Mrs. Murphy's Band” by Homespun Ceilidh Band from Homespun Ceilidh Band
13:54 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If you enjoy these stories, then join Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and Pub Songs & Stories podcast. You can save 15% when you join with an annual membership. Plus you’ll get a download of my song from this show.
Now let’s hear the story and song that you will download when you join today.
14:14 - STORY OF THE WRECK OF THE BOLD IRISH STOUT
I don’t play very many songs from Pirates vs. Dragons these days. I really loved how the album came out. But the songs feel off-point from my music in general. That’s probably because it was a concept album. It has a story. I was playing a character in that story. Even though the character was technically me, it just felt weird sometimes.
The story of Pirates vs. Dragons was about me being shanghaied by Air Pirates led by Captain Black Jack Murphy. Capt Murphy was a character I created as part of the Renaissance Festival Podcast back in 2006 or 2007. I forget. It was Talk Like a Pirate Day. So I put on a brogue and created this pirate character and his ship the Irish Stout.
The story of Murphy grew. So in 2010, I wanted a Steampunk-inspired album about me shanghaied by air pirates. I asked Rie Sheridan Rose to write the lyrics for this story. We fleshed it out in 2015 when I finally tackled the album
Again, I love the story that came out of this project. The idea was that I was writing an album to praise Captain Black Jack Murphy, but my secret mission was to “save the dragons”. One of the songs to come out of this was “The Wreck of the Bold Irish Stout”.
Again, Rie was writing with the idea that these songs were more sea shanties than anything. But I infuse my own music style. So many of the songs, including this one, came out not quite shanty-like. But it’s a great story. If it was shorter, I might actually play it at shows.
It tells the story of how dangerous it is to hunt dragons and the motivations behind some dragons.
16:14 - “The Wreck of the Bold Irish Stout” from Pirates vs. Dragons
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #homespunceilidhband #irishstout
Be careful when visiting the Fairy Forts of Ireland. You could become a permanent resident, imprisoned by the fae. Some folk find it difficult to express themselves. A lot like Marc Gunn and Malcolm Reynolds on the TV show, Firefly.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:29 - NEWS IN THE PUB
4:57 - UPCOMING SHOWS
5:23 - STORY OF A FAIRY TUNE
7:53 - SONG: “Port Na Bpúcaí (Fairy Tune)” by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh with Gerry O’Beirne
Pronunciation: Port na Boo-kay
12:23 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If the music makes you happy, support it. Buy something from the artist or become a patron. Then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email. Save 15% with an annual membership.
13:37 - STORY OF SHE’S SHINY
One of my favorite Firefly songs to sing, and for that matter, any of my songs to sing is “She’s Shiny”. I released it on my last album.
The song is about Malcolm Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion, from the TV show Firefly. Throughout the 14 episodes of the show, he has this, let’s call it a crush, on Inara Serra, the ship’s companion, played by Morena Baccarin. But he has a lot of trouble telling her about how he feels.
The sexual tension between the two is incredible. And of course it all comes to point in the episode “Heart of Gold” when we realize that Inara has just as many repressed feelings for Malcolm as he does for her.
I for one have certainly suffered from an inability to adequately express my feelings. It’s a common stereotype among men in particular. But I know there are a lot of people who have trouble expressing how they feel about someone.
I still remember when I was in the second grade I had a crush on a girl. Someone recognized that crush. They vocally pointed it out on the school bus. I was so embarrassed. I pretty much stopped telling anyone when I was interested in anyone from that day forth.
That’s one of things I love about the song. It is relatable whether you enjoy Firefly or not.
But the song makes so much more sense when you have seen the episodes.
Throughout the lyrics, I relate a story of a guy who is interested in a woman. Each of the verses connect to episodes where Malcolm and Inara interact in the sexually tense scenes.
The first verse talks about Inara’s unknown past. It is often wondered what or if she was running from something. It alludes to Malcolm calling her a whore through a quickly changed rhyme scheme.
The second verse was inspired by the episode “Shindig”. Malcolm attends a ball that Inara was hired to go to. He picks a fight with Inara‘s escort. With a little bit of luck, he wins the fight.
The third verse talks about Inara, and how she relates to Malcolm. She teaches him how to use a sword. She gets angry at him when they don’t go to “civilized” planets. And once again, the song alludes to her sexual career.
It’s the last verse though that makes me love this song so much. It’s subtle. Again unless you really know Firefly you might not get the joke.
The verse talks about finding her in a “down and out dirty place.” It revisits the idea that perhaps Inara is running from something. But then, in the final line, it’s revealed that the whole song is actually about Malcolm‘s spaceship Serenity.
Basically he is so sexually repressed that his great love, who is in fact Inara, is replaced with his other love, his spaceship.
This song makes me so happy. I guess because it also gives me a little bit of hope. At least there are people who are even more oblivious than I am.
16:42 - “She’s Shiny” from As Long As I’m Flyin’
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #MuireannNicAmhlaoibh #fairytune
Leo of Brazil psychedelic Irish band Harmundi shares how an improvisational set of tunes turned into their brand new single. Marc Gunn infuses a traditional Irish song with a little taste of New Orleans.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:28 - NEWS
2:02 - STORY OF CELTIC IMPROV
Harmundi is a Celtic band out of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Leo of Harmundi shares how an improvisational set of tunes turned into their brand new single.
We like to call our music "psychedelic Irish music" because a great part of it is made out of improvisations, in a real-time dialogue between the instruments. Among our sets, one in particular, called "Jump At The Morrison" has been present in every show we ever played and in each one of our albums – although every time it is iterated in a significantly different way, because at least half of it is created on-spot with no time limit. We based our new single on this set.
The Pandemics proved a time to abandon our comfort zones, so we decided to record it as a single in yet a newer way: stripped out of both tunes (Jump At The Sun and Morrison's Jig), leaving only the improvs. Contrary to what we are also used to, the harmony was first composed by our guitarist, and the melodies were created following her progressions.
The Pandemics were also a time for us to relearn our concepts of time and develop a new relationship with the "here and now". Because of that, we made it our shortest track yet, very different from the usual 6 - 10 minutes we're used to working with. And we made it with no clear beginning, middle or end, in a way some music traditions of the world work: it can either be looped (hence the name, which can also produce a "loop"), or be seen like a river that just flows forward – and, in that case, to watch it go is to simply stay with the flow of the present moment.
The single was recorded in our personal home studios and mixed by our mandolinist. The artwork was designed by our flutist, who is also a photographer, based on one of his photos.
4:25 - “Op At The Lo” by Harmundi from single
You can find more about Harmundi at Harmundi.art, and you can enjoy their “Jump at the Morrison” set on show #525 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. You can also buy their music on Bandcamp, which is my favorite place to recommend you to buy, because that’s where the artists get paid the most.
If you enjoyed the music, check out the band and maybe buy some music and merch, follow them on social. Send them lots of love and money.
6:56 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email. Save 15% with an annual membership.
7:11 - STORY OF JOHNNY JUMP UP
In 1999, I was playing on the South Mall with the Brobdingnagian Bards. We played at lunchtime five days a week to try and improve our chops and maybe make a few fans. And fans we made. More and more people sat in the grass of the mall eating their lunch and listening to us play.
At the end of one show, a man approached us and asked if we knew some Celtic bands. I was brand new to Celtic music at the time. I had no clue who The Wolfe Tones, The Irish Balladeers or Christy Moore were. But when he came back, he brought me a mixtape with a couple albums by those first two and a few tracks by Christy Moore as well. I ate it up.
I listened to the cassette constantly. It was my true entry into the world of Celtic music. The two tracks by Christy Moore stood out the most. One was a brilliant, rockin’ folk version of “Lanigan’s Ball”. The fiddle and the bodhran. OMG. It was just amazing.
The other was a ¾ time signature version of “Johnny Jump Up”. I soon added that to our repertoire. Our version stood out at Excalibur Fantasy Faire because of the rhythm. You see, the song was making its rounds on the faire circuit. The Bedlam Bards sang it. And there were a bunch of people at the Tavern who also sang it. But the later version was very poppy. I was anti-pop at the time. So the upbeat vocal harmonies just annoyed the hell out of me.
It wasn’t until last year that I realized Gaelic Storm released a version of “Johnny Jump Up” on their album “What’s the Rumpus?”. I’m guessing that’s where that upbeat version gained popularity. But who knows now.
Nevertheless, when the Brobdingnagian Bards split up in 2008, I wanted to do something new with the song. I moved to New Orleans in 2009. When I sat down to record Happy Songs of Death, I decided to give it a little rhythm of my own. It turned into quite a fun song to sing.
You can hear another version of me singing this song in show #222 St Patrick’s Day Gift. I do highly recommend you check out that episode if you haven’t. That’s because I also sang on a Celtic Rock version of that song by Tuatha de Danann. It is insanely awesome.
Next week, you get to hear a story and a tune by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh from my 2019 Celtic Invasion of Dingle, Ireland.
9:58 - “Johnny Jump Up” by Marc Gunn from Happy Songs of Death
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #harmundi #johnnyjumpup
I share my concerns and happy surprise with a successful Dragon Con. Plus, you’ll get a live, end-of-con concert courtesy of the Digital Media Track. There are some traditional Irish songs, a little New Orleans music, songs about Hobbits, demons under your bed, cats and a certain Doctor from the planet Gallifrey.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:33 - NEWS
5:47 - SONGS
7:42 - “Gypsy Rover” from How America Saved Irish Music
11:40 - “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” from How America Saved Irish Music
17:14 - “Heart of Fangorn” from Memories of Middle Earth by Brobdingnagian Bards
24:01 - “Ais Vis Lo Lop” from How America Saved Irish Music
29:14 - “Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits” from Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits
33:07 - “Close Your Eyes” from Kilted For Her Pleasure
38:59 - “Name On My Soul” from Flower of Scotland by Kilted Kings
45:36 - “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye” from How America Saved Irish Music
49:39 - “Mingulay Cat Song” from Selcouth
55:46 - “A Workin’ in the Garden” from Don’t Go Drinking With Hobbits
58:55 - “Wild Rover/Wild Kitty” from Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
1:03:15 - “Breathing” from Selcouth
1:11:10 - “Doctor of Gallifrey” from Sci Fi Drinking Songs
1:14:43 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email. Save 15% with an annual membership.
There will not be a show next week. That’s because at the end of every month, I host the Celtfather Music & Travel podcast. That’s when I do a monthly update of what I accomplished over the past month. I often have a rant on various topics to kick off the show.
Then I have some psychedelic Irish music from Brazil to share right here on this podcast.
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #dragoncon #jamiehaeuser
Empty Hats share how they rewrote a traditional, off color song about magicians for a modern age. Marc Gunn shares a song about the son of a werewolf from Harry Potter.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:26 - NEWS:
2:36 - UPCOMING SHOWS
2:57 - STORY: Empty Hats share how they rewrote a traditional, off color song about magicians for a modern age.
5:21 - “Two Magicians” by Empty Hats from Hat Came Back
8:37 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email.
Next week: We have a live podcast from Dragon Con.
9:08 - STORY: Marc Gunn shares a song about Teddy Lupin, the son of a werewolf and an aura from Harry Potter.
10:10 - “My Father Was A Werewolf” from What Color Is Your Dragon?
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #twomagicians #emptyhats
Before you fill up a jug with whiskey, make sure you clean it out first. That’s the lesson from Band O’Brothers. Or is it? And curiosity just might kill you when you are out in the Black of space.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.
0:56 - “There's a Bug in Cabin Six” from As Long As I’m Flyin’
3:19 - NEWS
4:25 - There are at least two sides to every story. The Band O’Brothers share both for their song “Whiskey Spider”.
8:32 - “Whiskey Spider” by Band O’Brothers from Band O’Brothers
13:12 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email.
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #bandobrothers #spiderstory
Who was the original Braveheart and how Tuatha Dea is reclaiming that title from William Wallace? Plus, we sing a tribute to Robert the Bruce with one of Robert Burns’ most-famous songs.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAYWelcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast at PubSong.com.
1:02 - “Scots Wha Hae” from Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion
3:23 - NEWS:
5:49 - Tuatha Dea tells the true story of Braveheart as the bravest Scottish knight.
10:50 - “Black Douglas” by Tuatha Dea from Single
17:03 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If this show made you happy, then join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. If you have questions or comments, drop me an email.
Pub Songs & Stories was produced by Marc Gunn. The show is edited by Mitchell Petersen with graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. You can subscribe and listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also subscribe to my mailing list. You will get regular updates of new music, podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #braveheart #tuathadea
The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.