Thugamar fin an samhradh linn

Categories: language, culture

Date: 23 January 2008 00:34:20

I have just returned from a Folk Evening which a German acquaintance of mine invited me to. I loved it. There were so many songs from different traditions, Country and Western, Scottish, English, Australian, recitations and instrumental pieces. (Someone also sang a Kate Rusby song - info for Jack the Lass.) The barmaid, an Irish colleen, taught us to sing the refrain in the title of this post. It means “We brought the summer with us” - a reminder that there might be an end soon to the downpours we have been experiencing this week. (One end of the village high street was under a foot of water a few days ago - that's 30cm to you metric types).

One man introduced his song by saying “Here is a song you haven't heard before; it's a song I haven't heard before either. I've only just made it up and the tune is still developing.” He sang a wonderfully witty piece about a page - number 177 - in a remaindered scientific book. I wish I could tell you all of it but sadly can only remember snatches.

My acquaintance fancies contributing a German folksong on another occasion but needs some moral and musical support. I have a feeling I might be roped in.....