Traditional Irish Music

---

Night at the Pub

Over the weekend my friend Sally's friend from London came to Ireland to travel. Since Sally had already returned to Vancouver she asked me if I could possibly show her friend around town. Sally's friend, Emily, arrived on Friday afternoon so I met her at the train station and took her over to her hostel. Emily is in London completing an internship for her masters in Museum and Gallery something or other. I find it really strange when people know so specifically what they want to do with their lives, especially when it is something as unqiue as working in Museums/Galleries. I find it more normal when people know early that they want to be a doctor or lawyer or teacher.. but it is the obscure things like librarian or archeaologist that make me say "reallly?!?! how did u know?" Anyways she was very much disappointed to hear the the Museum of Natural History was closed for renovations.

Unfortunately, I had to work the whole time that Emily was in town but I did give her the rundown of how to get to all the places she wanted to visit and provided my two-cents on what I thought was worth while or not. I did, however, get a chance to take Emily to a pub in the evening to listen to some traditional Irish music. We went over to The Bachelor which is more common for locals than for tourists so it had a more real feel to it. The singer was really good and funny. When we first walked in he was singing the "wild rover" which is my favourite traditional song. This has solely to do with the fact that its the song that Stevie and I used to sing at all times during our traditional irish music phase. So everytime I hear it, which is often around here, I think back to those times and laugh. For those unfamiliar with the song here it is...

THE WILD ROVER

I've been a wild rover for many's the year
and I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer.
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
and I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus:
And it's no, nay, never,
no, nay, never, no more
will I play the wild rover
no, never, no more

I went into an ale-house I used to frequent
and I told the landlady my money was spent.
I asked her for credit, she answered me nay,
Such "a custom like yours I can have any day

Chorus

I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright
and the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight.
She said I'd have whiskey and wines of the best
and the words that she told me were only in jest.

Chorus

I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done,
and I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And when they've caressed me as oft' times before
then I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus X2


After spending some time at the more traditional pub we headed over to the Temple Bar aka Tourist Trap. It is always super crowded and the drinks are outrageously expensive but I guess everyone must visit it at least once when in Dublin. As usual it was super packed and Leinster just won the European Football something or other and so everyone was well excited and well intoxicated. There was also at least 10 Hen Parties going on with some crazy themes. One group was all dressed up as J.I Janes and another was the miss world contest. We only stayed about an hour before I escorted Emily back to her hostel and wished her the best on the remainder of her journey.

On my walk home I got into an arguement with a drunk Irish Man who seemed to be disappointed in my responses to his questions. It started because he asked me where I was from and I said Toronto Canada. And he went on about how I was from Niagra Falls and I said "no im not I'm from Toronto" and he said "why is it that all Canadians and Americans claim to be from Niagra Falls.. that's not possible to be from different countries but from the same place" so I said "I don't know if everyone says that but I'm from Toronto and the only reason that happens is that their is a US and a Canadian side to the falls." So then he went off about "well who does Niagra Falls belong too then" and I said 'nobody'... this seemed to infuriate him and he said "no it has to belong to somebody and if you were a true Canadian you would say it belongs to Canada" and I said "nooo I wouldn't. I could care less about Niagra as I am from Toronto. And if I was from Niagra Falls I would say I am from Niagra ONTARIO seeing as there are two sides to the falls". And he went back into "but who owns the falls... it has to belong to someone so who really owns it" and now I am very frustrated with him and I counter with "well I don't think anything BELONGS to anyone in particular but if you want to know which side I think has a better view I will say the Canadian side but that is the only thing ur going to get me to say because I honestly don't believe the falls belongs to either Canada or US". At which point he said "what kind of Canadian are you?" and I said "goodnight" and continued on my way home.

---

Comments

[Margery]

The stubborn Irish !
Sounds like you met one !! Hang in there Katie -my-girl!I have that recording! LOL Margery Counting the days now til your visitors arrive?

[The Hazes']

Hi from the Hazes'
Hi Katie, Wow it sounds like you are having a great time. I'm not much of a writer but you are very funny. I just wanted to say a quick hello and hope all is well with you and all your new friends. We are all good over here and Elsie is doing much better (thanks for sending that email). Keep having great adventures!! Love Jackie, Harry, Samanth and Daniel

[Jim Spearin]

Hi Katie
I am so impressed with your adventures ! I'd be doing the same thing along with you if I could. Such fun and good for you. I like your style, you can handle the weird with the best of them !! Ha,Ha,