Looking for good UK and Irish pub songs

[cosmosdan]

Rehearsed last night with a quartet to play in a local Irish pub. We discussed all the old standards that have been around forever,

Wild Colonial Boy
Whiskey in the Jar etc
but I've enjoyed looking up more current Irish artists
Mary Black, Chris Moore has some great songs. Go Move Shift is awesome.
Someone mentioned that A John Prine Song "The Speed of The Sound of Loneliness"

was huge in Ireland so we're doing that.
So UK Dopers , Irish Dopers, or fans of the genre, what are some of the more recent {within 5 to 10 years} songs that have been big in Ireland by Irish artists. What old classics are still very popular in the pubs. What do people sing live.
U2 maybe?
Some folks from British airways taught me some dirty verses to "Ghost Riders in the Sky" some years ago and they still work. Off color or suggestive pub songs welcome. Audience participation is good.

[SanVito]

Singing songs 'arand-tha-piyana' is a bit of a dead art in the UK. If you find a pub with live music, it will either be an Irish-themed place or some dodgy local group singing pop classics from the 70s.

Classic British pub songs focus on the era around WWI and II - "It's a long way to Tipperary", "Roll out the barrel", "Pack up your troubles in yer old kit back", but you don't hear these anymore outside of Eastenders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastenders)

20 years ago I used to frequent a pub with a regular, popular, guitar singer – his most popular pub songs were "Dirty Old Town" (which is actually an English, not Irish, song) and "American pie" :-)

[villa]

If a song by a Scotsman about Aussies and wonderfully performed by the Pogues counts, I'd say that for a quiet part of the set "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is incredible for a pub band.

[yojimbo]

Crazy World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHeiVDSdoCM&feature=fvw) by Aslan was huge. Any Irish person in the room would be able to sing along. Even if they weren't a fan of Aslan it was impossible to avoid for years and is still played a lot here.

[An Gadaí]

The Galway Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFlfSeh-Ts8)was recently revived and was enormous and still very popular.

Say You Love Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0upvkcZI2cc&feature=related) is one I hear a lot.

Las Vegas (In The Hills Of Donegal) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Qe6LjGjX8) is the alternative National Anthem to some people.

Damien Dempsey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UIzkN64NGg) is another artist to check out.

Caledonia goes down a storm too. There are dozens of versions of it out there.

Lakes Of Pontchartrain.

If anyone actually speaks Irish in the band, Conamara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFcU9fMpFjE) would be a great one to do in a pub setting.

[An Gadaí]

I forgot Almost Irish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8WXhWSvUmk) by Ceann.

[PookahMacPhellimey]

Used to live in the west of Ireland and with tedious inevitability it was always:

The Fields of Athenry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtQ6a8gA7qk)

Looooooooooooow Liiiiiiiieeeeeee etc, adds generous amounts of Guinness.

In Galway they all sang:

Galway Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nt_TirDyKU)


The Christy Moore one that everyone was always singing is:

Ride On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-z7M3FZv4E)


But I personally find that a bit of a dirge and it seems to be the preserve of young Irish lads seeking to celtically charm tourist girls.

I have a weak spot for

Dicey Reilly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz4508Vk05A)

though can't in all honesty say I've head that sang much. Singing in pubs does happen in Ireland, though.

[PookahMacPhellimey]

Las Vegas (In The Hills Of Donegal) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Qe6LjGjX8) is the alternative National Anthem to some people.

Oooooh yes. :smack: How could I forget. :D

If one of ye is a truly good singer they might also try

Raglan Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuafmLvoJow).

Not a drinking song, but one I've often heard when secretly drinking and playing music after hours.

[yojimbo]

Oooooh yes. :smack: How could I forget. :D

If one of ye is a truly good singer they might also try

Raglan Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuafmLvoJow).

It's sang a fair bit in pubs I've been in. Luke's performance is world class, I prefer this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBndHNJoC0k&feature=related) though as you get to see the performance. Luke kicks in 19 secs in.

[Gary T]

The Old Dun Cow.

The Drunk/Drunken Scotsman.

Seven Drunken Nights.

Bridget Flynn.

Come Out Ye Black and Tans (maybe not a good choice for a British audience).

You can find several versions of each on YouTube.

[An Gadaí]

Oooooh yes. :smack: How could I forget. :D

If one of ye is a truly good singer they might also try

Raglan Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuafmLvoJow).

It's sang a fair bit in pubs I've been in. Luke's performance is world class, I prefer this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBndHNJoC0k&feature=related) though as you get to see the performance. Luke kicks in 19 secs in.

I can sing it nearly as well as the great master. I'd get barred from Grogan's if I tried airing it there though! :)

[cosmosdan]

Singing songs 'arand-tha-piyana' is a bit of a dead art in the UK. If you find a pub with live music, it will either be an Irish-themed place or some dodgy local group singing pop classics from the 70s.

Classic British pub songs focus on the era around WWI and II - "It's a long way to Tipperary", "Roll out the barrel", "Pack up your troubles in yer old kit back", but you don't hear these anymore outside of Eastenders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastenders)

20 years ago I used to frequent a pub with a regular, popular, guitar singer – his most popular pub songs were "Dirty Old Town" (which is actually an English, not Irish, song) and "American pie" :-)

Interesting. I just learned Dirty Ole Town. I''ve done American Pie for a long time. It was a huge favorite song along at colleges years ago. Haven't tried it in a while.

[cosmosdan]

If a song by a Scotsman about Aussies and wonderfully performed by the Pogues counts, I'd say that for a quiet part of the set "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is incredible for a pub band.

Another great one. One of the best anti war songs ever.

[cosmosdan]

Crazy World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHeiVDSdoCM&feature=fvw) by Aslan was huge. Any Irish person in the room would be able to sing along. Even if they weren't a fan of Aslan it was impossible to avoid for years and is still played a lot here.

Cool song. Thanks.

[cosmosdan]

The Galway Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFlfSeh-Ts8)was recently revived and was enormous and still very popular.

Say You Love Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0upvkcZI2cc&feature=related) is one I hear a lot.

Las Vegas (In The Hills Of Donegal) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Qe6LjGjX8) is the alternative National Anthem to some people.

Damien Dempsey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UIzkN64NGg) is another artist to check out.

Caledonia goes down a storm too. There are dozens of versions of it out there.

Lakes Of Pontchartrain.

If anyone actually speaks Irish in the band, Conamara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFcU9fMpFjE) would be a great one to do in a pub setting.

Awesome. I love O Halloran's version of Courtin in the kitchen.
Las Vegas in Donnegal A natural for an American Irish Pub.

[cosmosdan]

I forgot Almost Irish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8WXhWSvUmk) by Ceann.

Love it.

[cosmosdan]

Las Vegas (In The Hills Of Donegal) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Qe6LjGjX8) is the alternative National Anthem to some people.

Oooooh yes. :smack: How could I forget. :D

If one of ye is a truly good singer they might also try

Raglan Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuafmLvoJow).

Not a drinking song, but one I've often heard when secretly drinking and playing music after hours.

Well,...that would be me. :o

It's a great song. we worked on it last night.

[cosmosdan]

Some most excellent suggestions and new artists to check out. Many thanks.


No dirty little ditties?

[An Gadaí]

I suppose the Waxie's Dargle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2vZPXEf0tY) is sorta saucy.
There's also Monto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=canPrRj01XI&feature=fvst).

[An Gadaí]

The Glendalough Saint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHPAI4iuEQo).

The Limerick Rake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8moLHIW8xw&feature=related).

[missred]

Not a newer one, but a good drinking song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yPIC-o1O3k

[PookahMacPhellimey]

No dirty little ditties?

Nothing to add to An Gadaí's, though would you please post those dirty Ghost Riders lyrics?

I've also realised I've unforgivably left out Paul Brady as an artist to check out.

For example my friend used to do a cracking version of Arthur MacBride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBGkhPx529g) and I think Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2bTczkYv0U&feature=related) would work in a pub setting too - one could soup it up a bit if needed.

[PookahMacPhellimey]

Come Out Ye Black and Tans (maybe not a good choice for a British audience).

Ouch, I wouldn't want to sing that in Ireland, either. They might agree with the politics, but many would say it's kind of bad taste to still be singing that. YMMV etc...

[PlainJain]

Fuck You, I'm Drunk. (Maybe NSFW)
link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvRXAEJM1wI)

[cosmosdan]

No dirty little ditties?

Nothing to add to An Gadaí's, though would you please post those dirty Ghost Riders lyrics?

I've also realized I've unforgivably left out Paul Brady as an artist to check out.

For example my friend used to do a cracking version of Arthur MacBride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBGkhPx529g) and I think Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2bTczkYv0U&feature=related) would work in a pub setting too - one could soup it up a bit if needed.

What a good suggestion. I like Paul's Arthur McBride. That close up of his worn guitar reminds me of my own.
I also clicked on Wearing Britches, which is perfect for the pub.

Per your request and in gratitude for your suggestions here are the now infamous, in Nashville, Lost Verses of Ghost Riders
Heavy reverb on the guitar.
One day when I was ridin' Out amongst the trees.
I found a cowboy bound and gagged his pants down by his knees
He said he'd been molested by a cowboy who was gay
Then I unzipped trousers {dow dow dow dowwwwww{string bend}
said, boy this ain't your lucky day.

chorus
The UK verse
One day when I was ridin' along the river bank
I spied Capt Ferrell he was givin himself a wank
I saw what he was wearin he was dressed up in a froc
and when he saw me starin' {dow dow dow dowwwww}
His hand slipped off his cock.

Always got big laughs with these because not many knew them. As I said, I was taught by some folks from British Airways in a hotel bar one night. {cough} probably 15 years ago. They claimed there were lots of verses sung in English Pubs but I've never located any others.

enjoy