Music ran through the veins of my mother’s side of the family. My grandfather was a popular popular country fiddler who regularly played at concerts and ceilis in his native County Tyrone. Throughout her schooldays my mother was given piano and singing lessons and went on to become an accomplished pianist and an award-winning soprano. I can remember my father and I sitting in front of our battery radio and listening to my mother performing live on the BBC. My uncles, however, didn’t seem to take music quite so seriously. Nevertheless, they always seemed to have a variety of musical instruments at hand, and could mount an impromptu concert at the drop of a hat!
As a child I had violin lessons. It was my parents hope that I might follow in my grandfather’s footsteps. Unfortunately I was anything but a diligent student and undoubtedly caused my music teachers a great deal of angst. Sight reading music seemed too much of a chore, especially as I could quickly learn tunes and then play them by ear; usually with a degree of improvisation.
As I moved into my teenage years and discovered rock n roll I yearned for a guitar on which I could accompany myself as I did my Elvis impersonations. At first I had to be content with an ancient second- hand banjo. Then finally, when I saved some money from a holiday job, I got my first guitar and could amuse myself for hours on end, picking and singing.
After a year or two my infatuation with rock n roll declined and was replaced by a life long love affair with two related musical genres; Irish and Country.
I must admit that I have never taken music seriously; being content to enjoy some picking and singing as the mood took me.
From time to time I have performed at Folk and County Music Clubs and at charity concerts and other gatherings and get something of a “buzz” out of providing people with a bit of light-hearted entertainment. More recently, I developed an interest in multi-track recording and began producing accompaniment tracks that I would use at these “gigs”. Then, something unexpected happened, I felt the urge to begin writing songs which were inspired by my personal and professional engagement with social issues.
Now, in my twilight years, I have released an album of these original songs plus some old favourites from my repertoire. Each of the tracks on this album have a special meaning for me.The following notes tell these back stories.
Track 1 – The Irish Rover Almost 60 years ago, I used to sing this traditional ditty at our
University Folk Club which met, of all places, at the Medical School in the Anatomy Museum. The Irish Rover is one of those rollicking nonsensical songs, that is popular in Irish pub “sessions. I still enjoy singing it.
Track 2 – Star of the County Down
This is a traditional ballad about a farmer who experiences “love at first sight” when he sees a pretty girl walking down a “boreen green” (narrow grassy lane) near Banbridge town. He becomes so infatuated, that his life is put on hold until he could persuade her to marry him and become a farmer's wife.
This song is special for me as I was born and raised not far from Banbridge and spent may happy times in around the town. I also meet some of the many attractive Banbridge lassies. In those days, however, I was young and fancy free and marriage was definitely not on my mind!
Track 3- Hasn’t it been Grand
I met the love of my life in the ballroom of this popular County Down hotel.
As we danced round the floor on that summer’s night, neither of us could have imagined what lay ahead: marriage and a new life far away in Australia. Four years ago, when we celebrated our 50th wedding, children and grand-children travelled from America and Hong Kong to join the party. I wrote this song to mark the occasion. Unfortunately, the Ardmore Hotel was repeatedly bombed during “the Ulster troubles” and was so badly damaged that it had to be demolished. A Police Station now stands on the site.
Track 4 –People call me Paddy
As a University student in Belfast I shared lodgings with a chap who had forged a successful career with an international construction company. Sometimes he would talk about his overseas experiences and the important role Irishmen have played in major infrastructure projects worldwide. At work, he was nicknamed Paddy and he inspired this song.
Track 5 – Land of New Beginnings
For me, moving to Australia, was all these things and more; it was also a great adventure. Meeting fellow migrants from all over the world and hearing their stories has helped me to appreciate the richness of our cultural diversity. This song was written on Australia Day a few years ago and celebrates the role which migrants have played in the making of modern day Australia . It is the title track of the album.
Track 6 – Hooked on Country Music
As a teenager I used to enjoy the freedom of cycling along country roads. Often I would end up at a café in the afore-mentioned town of Banbridge.
At that time, cash flow was something of a problem so I would make one glass of Coca-Cola , and one or two cigarettes last all afternoon as I listened to the country tracks that other folks would play on the juke box. This was the beginning of a life long love of country music which has taken me to countless gigs in pubs and country halls and, on two occasions, to the mecca of Country; the Grand Old in Nashville, Tennessee. What do I like about Country Music? Well, I like the stories that it tells about the joys and sorrows of real people: as the lyrics of the song put it ” The lives and loves of folks like you and me” This track tells the story of my love affair with country music.
Track 7 –Back Home Again
For a magical six moths in1988 and we were mesmerised by the plethora of sights and sounds brought to us by World Expo. Indeed since then our City and Stated has never been the same.
John Denver, then at the height of his career, made a guest appearance and I can recall seeing him and hearing his magical voice. Although his life was tragically cut short in a ‘plane crash. Denver’s songs have lived on to celebrate the natural world and the joys of country living. I remain a loyal John Denver fan, often performing his songs. I just had to include a John Denver cover song on this album.
Track 8 -Steal Away
If you were to ask me about my years as a student at Queens University in Belfast, I will probably talk about my extra-curricular activities; particularly the Glee Club.
“Open Mic”nights were held in the old Students' Union Dining Hall which was always "packed to the rafters" by rowdy students. The Glee Club was the brainchild of a music student called Phil Coulter who studied the classics by day and sang and played the piano in his own dance band by night. He and the band were always on stage during Glee Club sessions and somehow managed to improvise great accompaniments for singers and instrumentalists who were willing to front the crowd. Somehow my wish to perform with Phil and his band overcame the anxiety that used to sweep over me as I climbed onto the stage. Another of Phil’s initiatives was a public charity concert held in the main University Hall. It was compered by an English TV personality and featuring our own version of the Black and White Minstrel Show. I can remember sitting in the front row playing my banjo with a broad grin on my blackened face. There was no political correctness in those days! I also had the opportunity to sing a couple of solos in front of this audience of more than 1,000. Phil didn’t complete his musical degree but left to pursue a stellar career as a songwriter, arranger, record producer, stage performer and recording artist. His first big break was to co-write “Puppet on a String”; which won the Eurovision Song Contest. Since then he has gone on to grace stages around the world and win countless awards and accolades. His numerous recordings include music from many genres. I love to sing Phil Coulter songs and just had to include one on this album. Steal Away was a hit for Irish folk band The Furies, who recorded it in 2007. I really enjoy singing it.
Track 9 – Danny Boy
Before leaving Ireland to move to Australia we spent three years in a country town called Limavady. In the main street was a blue plaques marking where Jane Ross had lived. Jane, the sister of the local Anglican Clergyman, was an avid collector of Irish folk music.
One day she heard a beautiful melody being played by Jimmy McCurry, an accomplished, blind fiddler who frequently entertained passers One day she day she in the hope of earning a few coins. Jane Ross was so impressed that she rushed home to get her manuscript book and pen. She asked Jimmy to replay the tune and transcribed it as he played. She rewarded Jimmy with a half-crown coin which, as was his habit, he put to his lips to find out how much he had been given. On discovering that it was a half-crown he informed Jane Ross that he couldn’t accept a coin of such value but she insisted that he take it. The tune was subsequently published as the Londonderry Air and in due course was sent to English barrister and songwriter Fred Weatherly who added words to make to make one of the world’s best known songs, Danny Boy. Like most Irish singers, my repertoire includes Danny Boy and I hope that people will enjoy my arrangement and rendition of the song. Sadly Jimmy McCurry died in Limavady Workhouse.
Track 10 – Play something else
My dear wife sometimes complains that I sing a lot of sad, sentimental songs and she suggested that I should try to lighten the mood and sing something else. This prompted me to write a song entitled Play Something Else. I am not sure, however, if it’s really what she wanted!
Track 11 – RUOK When men get together, the conversation will often focus on sport and cars.
Blokes are unlikely to spend much time comparing notes about health issues. We men, just don’t want to be seen as wimps who whine about health issues and we’re particularly reluctant to discuss emotional and mental health matters.
This determination retain a tough exterior can have some unfortunate consequences. Resorting to self medication with alcohol is a common but problematic way that men deal with psychological pain. Indeed, if things get bad enough suicide may seem like the only way out for some blokes. In these circumstances advising a bloke to “pull yourself together man” is unlikely to help. Instead, quietly asking “RUOK” may encourage him to talk about the things that are on his mind. This could be the first step back to peace of mind. I’ve had personal experiences of dark days when I sank into the depths of despair and I know how good it is to be helped back into the sunshine! That’s why I wrote this song.
Track 12 – Sailin’ Back to Belfast
As I looked back though photographs taken on our last transpacific cruise, I reflected on how times had changed. A few short decades ago, only the wealthy could afford the luxury of cruise ship travel.
For the rest of us, the only way to sail to exotic ports would have meant joining the Navy! In this song I envision the adventures of a young sailor from the iconic working class suburb of Sandy Row in Belfast, who saw the world and enjoyed a sailors’ life in exotic ports. From time to time, however, his old home kept calling him back.
Track 13 – Marchin’
We have made a number of extended trips to see friends and relatives in Britain, Ireland, the USA and Hong Kong. On one, such journey were fortunate in having the opportunity to visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis with its exhibits commemorating the life and work of Martin Luther King Jnr. and other key civil rights activists. These were the people who inspired massive peaceful protest marches that were instrumental in advancing the rights of African Americans.
In England we chanced upon the Toldpuddle Martyr’s Museum, which tells the story of the four men who in 1834 spoke out spoke out against the widespread cuts made to the wages of struggling farm workers. These four protesters were convicted of unlawful assembly and transported to Australia. They were later acquitted following protest marches throughout England. Finally when we reached Northern Ireland we heard about the peace marches that followed the deaths of three young children who were collateral damage in a gun battle between paramilitary terrorists and security forces. Recalling these experiences inspired me to write “Marchin”.
Track 14 – Maggie
I had been singing this beautiful song for many years, not knowing the facts of the sad story that lay behind the haunting lyrics. The words of the song had originated as a poem by Canadian school teacher George Johnson
. George had fallen in love with one of his pupils called Margaret “Maggie” Clark. One day as he looked down on the Niagara escarpment, George wrote these verses as a celebration of his love for Maggie which he believed would continue until until they had grown old together. George married Maggie in 1864 but a year later she contracted tuberculosis and died. His poem was later set to music by James Butterfield.
Track 15 – There’s a Light that Shines
During my career, I had the privilege of meeting many different kinds of people. The attitudes and behaviour that some of these folks displayed (eg. greed, dishonesty, exploitation, cruelty and violence), at times, would make me feel despondent and cynical . Then , then I least expected it, I would encounter someone whose life seemed like a light shining through this world of darkness. Although not saints, these were ordinary folks who had found a higher purpose and meaning in their lives. It was these people who have helped restore my faith in humanity and this song celebrates the “inner light” which guides them.
Track 16 – Thank – you Friend
One day I was at a meeting where one of the participants talked about theology, religion and spirituality with prophetic confidence and conviction. Afterwards when I was chatting with another attendee, I admitted that it had been really difficult to “get my head around” what the speaker had been saying. My companion remarked that it was easy to overthink things. He went on to explain that he experienced spirituality simply, as walking through life alongside God. Later, when I reflected on this, I realized how simple, yet profound, his remarks had been and I was inspired to write this song.
Listening to my music
You can listen to my music free of charge by following one of the links shown below. You can also download individual tracks or the entire album from these streaming services. Having seen the unique artwork featured on my CD you might like to get a copy. Please call or email me and I will arrange this. All proceeds from sales are donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
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