Beacon of light
Author: Donal Morrissey
Donal records the value of a true friend in life, the comfort of a loving partner.
Emigrant's Story
Author: Paul Kealy (lyrics) and Ciaran Brennan
Singer: Ciaran Brennan
Another, beautiful song of emigration and pride in place.
Paul and Ciaran co-wrote this song, which is sung here by Ciaran. Thanks to Ciaran for sharing the song with us.
His Presence
Author: Donal Morrissey
Donal reflects on the comfort brought by reflecting on the Presence of God.
Ideals of Nineteen and Sixteen
Author: Donal Morrissey
Donal contrasts problems in Ireland of today with the ideals of the people of 1916, and finds today wanting.
In that chilling trial court hall,
We heard the victim called,
Filled with fear of what he’d say,
Cause he failed to pay his way,
Will his home not be his own?
Seems like eviction the following day.
In his second court recall,
His hopes soon hit the wall,
Didn’t get a chance to say,
Or explain why he can’t pay,
Lost his job and lost all hope,
He was made homeless the following day.
Where’s the ideals of nineteen sixteen,
These sad abandoned souls, it’s so obscene,
How can you endorse such callous evictions?
While you bail out banks costing billions,
You’ve sullied the ideals of nineteen sixteen.
At that fateful town park wall,
Sure, God did hear his call,
Unaware of what was nigh,
On the street you let him die,
This sad case you’ll hear no cry,
Just a statistic the following day.
In these tragic shameful times,
Of banker’s mortgage crimes,
See the state fund their bail-out,
While fam’lies suffer wipe-out,
By the banks survival creed,
Eviction with intoxicated greed.
Where’s the ideals of nineteen sixteen,
These sad abandoned souls, it’s so obscene,
How can you endorse such callous evictions?
While you bail out banks costing billions,
You’ve sullied the ideals of nineteen sixteen.
The Moo Behind the Hill
Author: Brian O'Rourke
A fun song about an actual event that occurred near Rathvilly, county Carlow Brian is well known for his humorous songs.
Time to Be Alone
Author: Donal Morrissey
Donal reflects on his life now that he has time to relax and think about it.
Two Will Do
Author: Michael Rice
Singer: Michael Rice
Location: Carlow west, Rossmore and the Ridge
Mickey gives an account of his encounter with the law after a long session in various hostelries, together with sound advice as a result of the experience!
‘Twas a Saturday in October in 1983
Just another Saturday or so it seemed to be;
But that day has made history which was very sad:
It was the day that Mickey Rice blew in the plastic bag.
It was down in Ballinabranna that we all worked hard all day,
We were getting out potatoes and drinking mugs of ‘tay’.
In the evening I cam home full of muck and clay,
Says the wife’ Now go and get a drink, it’s been a long hard day’.
So down to the grove I did go as happy as could be.
I met an old acquaintance, ‘twas Billy Motley.
Says Motley ‘have you got the car?’ I had sure as a rule.
So we sailed away to Crettyard and on to the Salmon Pool.
Now we stayed there for quite a while then we drive on to Cainesbridge;
We drank away ‘til closing time then headed for the ridge.
Coming down along the hill a light shone in the sky,
It was from a white Granada and it pulled up closely by.
Now I opened up the fly window and the guard put in his nose.
He says ‘You have drink taken, too much I suppose’.
He handed me a plastic bag, the smallest ever seen.
He says ‘Now blow in that until you turn it green’.
As you know I turned it green, he says ‘now step out, please,
You must leave your friend behind and please give me the keys’.
Says Motley ‘Don’t you worry Mick, everything will be alright’.
So they took me to Kilkenny as the stars were shining bright.
The doctor he was waiting and he read for me the rules.
He says ‘You can give me blood, or urine if you choose’.
So he handed me a bottle and I filled it to the top
And he put my name upon the cap in case it would get lost.
It was in Castlecomer court my license I did lose.
I got 12 month’s suspension for drinking too much booze.
Now I have my license back the truth I’ll tell to you:
Whenever you go drinking boys, remember TWO WILL DO!
Two Will Do
Author: Mickey Rice
Singer: Mickey Rice
Mickey narrates an adventure he had and an encounter with the Gardaí. In our current climate perhaps we should change the title to NONE Will Do!!!
Twas a Saturday in October in 1983
Just another Saturday or so it seemed to be;
But that day has made history which was very sad:
It was the day that Mickey Rice blew in the plastic bag.
It was down in Ballinabranna that we all worked hard all day,
We were getting out potatoes and drinking mugs of ‘tay’.
In the evening I came home full of muck and clay,
Says the wife’ Now go and get a drink, it’s been a long hard day’.
So down to the grove I did go as happy as could be.
I met an old acquaintance, ‘twas Billy Motley.
Says Motley ‘have you got the car?’ I had sure as a rule.
So we sailed away to Crettyard and on to the Salmon Pool.
Now we stayed there for quite a while then we drive on to Cainesbridge;
We drank away ‘til closing time then headed for the ridge.
Coming down along the hill a light shone in the sky,
It was from a white Granada and it pulled up closely by.
Now I opened up the fly window and the guard put in his nose.
He says ‘You have drink taken, too much I suppose’.
He handed me a plastic bag, the smallest ever seen.
He says ‘Now blow in that until you turn it green’.
As you know I turned it green, he says ‘now step out, please,
You must leave your friend behind and please give me the keys’.
Says Motley ‘Don’t you worry Mick, everything will be alright’.
So they took me to Kilkenny as the stars were shining bright.
The doctor he was waiting and he read for me the rules.
He says ‘You can give me blood, or urine if you choose’.
So he handed me a bottle and I filled it to the top
And he put my name upon the cap in case it would get lost.
It was in Castlecomer court my license I did lose.
I got 12 month’s suspension for drinking too much booze.
Now I have my license back the truth I’ll tell to you:
Whenever you go drinking boys, remember TWO WILL DO!
Welcome Home
Author: M. Rice
Pride in Place and the nostalgia of the emigrant
Mickey voices the nostalgia of the emigrant who dreams of returning home to the native place and to friends.
Wind of Glory
Author: Paul Kealy
Singer: Celine Byrne
Local and international event
Carlovian Paul was tasked with writing an anthem for the 50th Irish Derby; this is the result! Paul composed the lyrics, Lt Mark Armstrong the music and the anthem was performed by Celine Byrne, backed by the Millicent Singers and the No.1 Army Band. The anthem was shared with us by Ciaran Brennan, who co-writes with Paul