country songs for a St. Patty's day gig?

Joseph Overton · Post by **Joseph Overton** » 28 Feb 2012 9:45 am

the band is trying to come up with some good material for our gig on St. Patrick's day...

... we're not nearly rock & roll enough to pull off Garth Brooks' 'Ireland'... unless we could turn it into a shuffle...

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 28 Feb 2012 10:13 am

these tunes are not country or rock, but real Irish
that'll get them singin' for y'all
" The Ballad of Kevin Barry "
" The Wild Colonial Boy "
" Dublin's Fair City "

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 28 Feb 2012 11:30 am

How 'bout "Danny Boy?"

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 28 Feb 2012 12:07 pm

Isn't "Danny Boy" a Scottish tune? Would work OK because of its popularity and the fact that most
steelers play it.
Here are some more Irish:
"Clancy Lowered the Boom"
"Who Put the Overalls in Mrs' Murphy's Chowder"
"Down Went McGinty"
"Did Your Mother Come From Ireland"
"Mother Ma Chree" (sp?)
"That's an Irish Lullaby"
"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
"Sweet Rosie O'Grady"

Also not strictly country, but various country bands
that I've been in have played these with success.

Blake

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 28 Feb 2012 10:46 pm

When I played St Patricks day gigs in NYC "Dirty old town" by The Pogues was always a massive hit. I had never heard the tune before but every Irish ex pat in the bar would sing there hearts out. The Poques have quite a few great tunes that fit right into a country music setting. Also its good to work up a few fiddle tunes like "The Red Haired Boy". They are super fun to play.

If you want your St Pats day with extra cheese "The Unicorn Song" by The Irish Rovers is a good one. If you can't think of what to play on the steel it is a golden opportunity to hit them with some interpretive dance moves to help the songs narrative along.
http://youtu.be/_EPsuOEH1fY

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 29 Feb 2012 8:17 am

"Dirty Old Town" definitely.

Here's an old video of an acoustic version, me on dobro. http://youtu.be/fcuT6YPaxBE

Joseph Overton · Post by **Joseph Overton** » 1 Mar 2012 11:41 am

If there's one thing worse than my steel playing its definitely my interpretive dancing!

thanks for the suggestions! great stuff here. Definitely gonna do that Pogues tune!

Also "Who Put the Overalls in Mrs' Murphy's Chowder" is a new addition to my list favorite song titles...

Chris Gabriel · Post by **Chris Gabriel** » 1 Mar 2012 10:53 pm

Wild mountain thyme

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 2 Mar 2012 9:08 am

According to Wikipedia, the words to "Danny Boy" were written by an Englishman and set to the tune of "Londonderry Air." 'Derry is in Ireland. No Scots in the mix.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Boy

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 4 Mar 2012 12:05 am

I believe Danny Boy/Londonderry Air/London Derrière is indeed Irish.

And I believe Wild Mountain Thyme is Scottish.

How about Green, Green Grass of Home?

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 4 Mar 2012 12:18 am

Bob Hoffnar wrote:If you want your St Pats day with extra cheese "The Unicorn Song" by The Irish Rovers is a good one.

I suggest posting this in front of the band:

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 4 Mar 2012 6:58 am

Since my first wife was Irish my thought would be

"Lookin for Love in All the Wrong Places"

It is half true - I do not hold anything agains her but thought it would fit.

You could dedicate it to me even though no one would know who I am

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 4 Mar 2012 7:03 am

I would just show up in Golf course green outfits,have fun and play what you play best..If the Club wanted a good Irish band they should have hired the Clancy Brothers..LOL

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 4 Mar 2012 7:30 am

"The Water Is Wide" and "May the road rise to meet you".

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 15 Mar 2012 5:05 am

I stand corrected. "Danny Boy" is, indeed, Irish.
Thanks very much.
Perhaps it was the Scot part of my heritage that confused me.
I am Scottish on one side and Irish on the other.

Blake

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 15 Mar 2012 6:59 am

The Highwaymen et al. The Gypsy Rover

Metallica et al. Whiskey in the Jar.

Too late to learn for this SPD I guess. I'm gonna try to get the guys to do these Sat. nite though.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 15 Mar 2012 11:44 pm

No country song suggestions, but Ive been practicing Pipe on the Hob on my green mandolin, not because Im Irish or have a gig on St Pattys, but because I just love the sound of this reel! If you like irish reels, check tantoonie's channel.

Have a Happy St Pats Day!

Clete

The Steel Guitar Forum

country songs for a St. Patty's day gig?

country songs for a St. Patty's day gig?

"Danny Boy" revisited