Celtic Horse Racing Song??? (name that tune!)
Don Armstrong
I need help finding this song...
I once heard a Celtic song about a farmer that travels to town and
bets all he had on a horse (I think the horses name was similar to
his).
Describing the race, the song starts off real slow, building in tempo
to a thunderous victory.
Anyone able to help with naming this one?
Michael Wodzak
Are you thinking about Delaney's Donkey??
Ton
I think it is The Galway Farmer by Davey Arthur & Co.
This is what I read in the booklet:
"A marvelous song from the pen of Steve Knightley. It truly captures the
energy and excitement of a horse race, and shows the expectations many Irish
have, and share, each year travelling to Cheltenham to race, and win!"
It can be found on the CD "Celtic Side Saddle"
It is exactly as you describe, it starts slow, and builds up.
It is one of my favorites and I have been lucky enough to see Davey live in
concert a few times, and it is one of the highlights of the concert.
If you want some more information, the lyrics or more info about Davey, just
let me know in this newsgroup or by e-mail.
Greetings from the Netherlands,
Ton.
Please change Z in O
PS It's not off-topic I think.
Don Armstrong heeft geschreven in bericht ...
Ton
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~daveyarthur/
Lorcan
The original version by Show Of Hands (Steve Knightley and Phil Beer from
the West County in England) can be found on their 'Beat around the Bush'
(around 1994ish)
Bril album
BTW this is the duo that hired the Royal Albert Hall in London for their
10th anniversary concert. I believe they broke even.
Lorcan
Ton wrote in message <7gag41$2lu$1...@news.casema.net>...
Don Armstrong
>Hello Don,
>
>I think it is The Galway Farmer by Davey Arthur & Co.
>
>"A marvelous song from the pen of Steve Knightley. It truly captures the
>energy and excitement of a horse race, and shows the expectations many Irish
>have, and share, each year travelling to Cheltenham to race, and win!"
>
>It can be found on the CD "Celtic Side Saddle"
>It is exactly as you describe, it starts slow, and builds up.
Aye, that was it!
A DejaNews search turned this up (thanks!).
BTW... "A hain to go, a mile to run"... what is HAIN?
(Webster was of no use here...)
_____________________________________________
Lyrics to "Galway Farmer" that I have on the Dark Lady CD by
Ceili's Muse, a local (Houston) Celtic folk band. They recently broke
up and have reformed as Six Mile Bridge.
(Coincidentally, this group in Houston was where I had heard it!)
<Line Break = Instrumental>
*********************************************************
---------------------
- Galway Farmer -
---------------------
I work my days on a Galway farm,
In the sun and rain, wind and storm,
But once a year I'll chance my arm
And cross the sea to England.
I'll scrimp and save two thousand pounds,
Spend a week in Cheltenham town,
But the racing over, always down,
I come back poor from England.
I dreamed one night before I left
A coal-black mare with a white-star chest,
Crossed the line and beat the rest
I came back rich to Galway.
I rose at dawn and drove all day
Thinking, wondering all the way
"Lady Luck, have you come to stay.
Or Steal away my morning?"
When I got to Cheltenham town,
Irish faces all around
No bed or mattress to be found
I slept on the hillside.
Spent three days in the viewing ring
Saw the horses they led in.
Just as I was giving in,
I stood and stared in wonder.
With stamping hooves and steaming breath,
A coal-black mare with a white-star chest
I ran my finger down the list
Matched the name and the number
Lady Luck had come half way
The horse's name was Galway Bay
Twenty-to-one the odds that day.
I went to make my wager.
I counted out two thousand pounds
Held it high, slapped it down
The bookie smiled but made no sound
I knew what he was thinking
The biggest loser in the land
A pounding heart, a shaking hand
I made my way up to the stand
The horses came to order
(This is where the slow-building to fast starts)
But at the first she nearly fell
I cursed my farmer's luck to hell
The second and third took quite well
Way behind the leader
Then moving sweetly from the back
She found her rails and caught the pack
Ten to go and from the track
The hooves were drumming thunder
She's catching horses one by one
Bridle flashing in the sun
A hain to go, a mile to run
Two were up before her
On the straight down they sped
Left one at the last for dead
Caught the next and by a head
She came home the winner
So I came back to my Galway farm
A wiser and a richer man
Never again I'll chance my arm
Or cross the sea to England
'Cause Lady Luck was mine that day
I held her close, I went my way
Now I raise my glass to Galway Bay
And the dream of Galway Farmer
**************************************************
It's a great tune, sung by an incredibly sexy lady.........
_____________________________________________
If you cut-n-paste this whole line in your web browser, you can hear a
sample of this wonderful song by Davey Arthur & Co ...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/eras/B0000021NR001003/002-3028192-3292212
(or go to Amazon.com music and search "Celtic Side Saddle"- then click
Galway Farmer)
Drystein
Muckle Flugga. And it's FREE!
Selsick
every year but then dreams about a horse with "a white star on his chest".
He bets on that horse and wins. It's written by Steve Knightly.
Hugh
Paul Draper
>Maybe off-topic (but not too much)...
>
>I need help finding this song...
>
>I once heard a Celtic song about a farmer that travels to town and
>bets all he had on a horse (I think the horses name was similar to
>his).
>
>Describing the race, the song starts off real slow, building in tempo
>to a thunderous victory.
>
>Anyone able to help with naming this one?
>
Possibly the 'Galway Farmer' by Steve Knight and Phil Beer.
--
Paul Draper
0171 369 2754