Hey There,

First off, great site!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone's found a good resource for getting background about authors and inspirations for a lot of the great songs that are out there? I've got a couple of gigs coming up where I'll be playing for people who won't know a lot of the songs (the downside of St Patrick's Day, I suppose) and it'd be great to be able to talk up some of the songs before playing them.

Cheers,
-Chris

Hi Newfie and failte (welcome)

Well I don't know any websites that would be relevent but if you asked here about any songs then between us we'll have the answers I'm sure. Every one of the songs has a story and there are plenty of storytellers here.

Daithi

Failte romhat, a Newfie!
May be you will ask about each a song and we shall try to answer, eh?

I'm mostly interested in any historical accuracy there might be in some of the more vague tales of people. Sam Hall, and Reilly's Daughter are two that come to mind immediately.

Also, info on The Black Velvet Band would be great, as I only recently discovered that song didn't originate in Newfoundland, as I was taught growing up).

No doubt. more to come, but I wouldn't want to overwhelm myself

Sl�inte,
-Chris

go raibh m�le maith agat , WeeIrishDevil

So, I just got to wondering a few minutes ago as I was lighting up: "I wonder if there really was a Tim Finnegan's Wake?"

Anyone got any stories to tell?

Sl�inte,
- Chris

I've only been to one wake, in Donegal. Aren't they great? Nothing like sitting in the same room as a decaying corpse...

Sorry though, I don't know much about backgrounds to songs.

I've been to two wakes.

My grans and my friends gran.

No outrageous tales tho.

Just remember.... the first 3 letters of funeral spells FUN

And also. The 2nd to 5th letters of Britain spell Rita!!!

hm, I only know Riga