Celtic/Brit Folk/St. Patrick's Day Whimsy

Copyright Daniels & Durgy 2021
Gentle Rain Records 
Featuring Junkheap (Dave T)
Written Performed and Produced by Daniels & Durgy 
Our Utmost Thanks to you Dave for lending us your terrific Rock vocals to blend with ours on this epic song!

Lyrics:

Bodhran’s Dream 

A silver veil hangs sweet and low
The sea pulls her skirt in the wind
Gazing over Tempters cliff, 
The heart calls a future unmet
Two hands upon a timeless face
Who never seem able to meet
But Time has sold what should have been
And I can’t let go of this dream

Chorus:
So take my hand Love!
And we’ll dance ‘till the Sun kiss the moon in the sky
By the beat of the Bodhran and the whistle’s delight
We’ll ignite heaven’s light..
And we’ll live every lifetime!
In the space of a moment in each others’ arms,
And we’ll sing ‘till our voices surround every star
And remake what has past,
If tonight’s but a dream
Darling.. Live it with me.

Holding on to memories
That glisten like pearls on a string
And where this ends, no one can know,
But hope is where all this begins…

Chorus:
So take my hand Love!
And we’ll dance ‘till the Sun kiss the moon in the sky
By the beat of the Bodhran and the whistle’s delight
We’ll ignite heaven’s light..
And we’ll live every lifetime!
In the space of a moment in each others arms,
And we’ll sing ‘till our voices surround every star
And remake what has past,
If tonight’s but a dream
Darling.. Live it with me…. Live it with me…

Bodhran's Dream

Bodhran's Dream (Ft Junkheap)

Chris: Lyrics & melody arrangement/vocals/Brauchli lapslide/audio engineering
Martin: Bass, rhythm, main guitars, shruti, instrumental arrangement & recording.
Another collaboration re-imagining the tradition, with Martin Kirwan…we’ve made this one a free download if you enjoy it. Martin has composed and played the instrumental on layered guitar tracks and shruti, and I've re-arranged the lyrics and vocal melody. As always, I'm blown away by his beautiful playing and imaginative blending of cultural sounds. https://soundcloud.com/tradladsaughrim

This gem can be found in Buntings Ancient Music of Ireland, and the "literal  translation from the original Irish" was undertaken by a Miss Mary Balfour, (there is a slightly different  translation in my 1897 book The Minstrelsy of Ireland). 
The original Irish song was believed to have been collected by an agent of Bunting's associates the McCrackens - a man called Patrick Lynch...who collected over 200 songs from singers around the Mayo area in the early 1800's but this man was never acknowledged in the publication. 
The original tune was believed to have been first published as "Ye Trugh" by Neal in 1724, but Bunting got it from Charles Byrne at a harpist's gathering around the 1790's.

"Arise from thy slumbers, oh fairest of maids!
With me wilt thou wander to Truigha's green shades,
Where sorrel and bright rowan berries abound,
And nuts in rich clusters the branches have crowned.

A bed of fresh ivy to rest thee I'll bring,
The blackbirds and thrushes around us shall sing,
And there with unceasing attachment I'll prove,
How soothing the cares of affection and love.

In my contemporary arrangement I've made the English lyrics flow a bit better. 

Photo by Chris Okunbor

An Seann Triuca

An Seann Triuća (The Old Truigha) Trad. arr. Okunbor & Kirwan. Free download if you like it

This one is a bit of a glitter fest.  Inspired by the Cinderella story and my 7 year old daughter who loves to play dress up.  
I'm so grateful to Tatiana and her beautiful musicianship, helping again to class up my simple melodies with the warm tones of her bow and fiddle! @rosindust

Illustration by Harry Clarke (1889–1931)

The Glass Slipper (feat. Rosin Dust)

Vocals Oddrun Eikli @oddrun-eikli
Piano  Debra Buesking @debra_buesking
Accordion, Pipes & Whistle Philleann
Mixed and Mastered Phil Dale

Well, how lucky am I !  So thrilled to have been able to collaborate with Oddrun and Debra on this classic folk ballad.  Its always been one of my favorites.  Oddrun's tender vocal really captures the regret of the poem, and Debra's piano arrangement is the perfect companion to that wonderful voice.  I do hope you'll like our folk jazz rendition. 

Oddrun has some nice background info on the song over on her page. Cover design by Debra

Down by the Sally Gardens (with Oddrun Eikli & Debra Buesking)

I updated this this track with few tweaks and a new mix and master... and a rename too.

Harvest Dance

Harvest Dance (aka better days ahead)

Durge wrote this one based on his recollection of the little red-headed girl that lived down the street from his childhood home. The song is done in an Irish folk style with tin whistle and accordion to set the tone. It recounts the aftermath of the little girl suddenly moving away, never to be heard from again, including the disappointment and realizations that came with that moment. We thank Sara Formoso for her valuable contribution on accordion.

Copyright 2023 Daniels & Durgy / Gentle Rain Records
Written, Produced and Performed by Nat Daniels & Craig Durgy

Nat Daniels: piano, vocals, guitar, tin whistle, bass & production
Craig Durgy: vocals
Sara Formoso (Fiverr): accordion

Lyrics: Heather of Welliver Lane by Daniels & Durgy

Cracks in the sidewalk and maple trees
July was just melting away
Riding my bike with a summer ease
Looking for friends that could play

Passing the Jamison’s door I spied
No drapes on the window pane
I stopped and I stared 
For the girl with red hair
Sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

No cat on the steps, or toys in the yard
The flag on the porch was no more
Nowhere a newspaper, no family car
As I walked up to knock on the door

But sure it was empty as I looked inside
And quietly called out her name
A thousand times no, I thought
How could she go
Sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

Yes, I knew then and there
Just how much I did care
For sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

How did I let her go
I’ll not, forget her now
Sweet Heather of Welliver Lane

Heather

This is a story about an Irish heroine called Grace O'Malley, Also known as Grainne of Clare. She lived in the late 1500's, she was known as the Pirate Queen of Ireland. She made fortunes, saved her sons from the Queen of England, fought on behalf or Ireland with her armada of ships and was a fierce, beautiful force of nature.. a true example of valour, will power, grace under pressure, fortitude and determination, with a commanding spirit. Here's to you Grace...   Happy St. Patrick's Day..    ☘️ Sláinte!!!  ☘️

Written, produced and performed by: Nat Daniels & Craig Durgy
Nat Daniels: tin whistle, guitar, piano & vocals
Craig Durgy: mandolin & vocals
Copyright 2024 Daniels & Durgy / Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:  The Tale of Grace O’Malley

Let me tell you the tale
Of Grace O’Malley
Crimson red hair 
And the courage she carried
A nobleman’s daughter
A life full of rules
But fate took her hands 
And gave her sailing shoes
A pirate queen,  deadly  and fair…
In Gaelic her name wasn’t Grace
It’s Grainne of Clare  

Oh Grainne, Grainne of Clare
Who could lead men to battle, lead with a valkyrie stare
And you’d never give in
Though your life was at stake
You’d show us what valour could mean
For you’d rather die freely
Than live on your knees

V2
In a time when a girl 
Had no worth but breeding
You broke all the rules
And pierced every ceiling
You made all your fortunes
Then saved all your sons
And paid the Queens’ ransom
Then called all to arms
For bonnie Ireland needed you so
And your heart would never let go.. could never let go….

Oh Grainne, Grainne of Clare
Who could lead men to battle, 
Lead them with a with a valkyrie stare
And you’d never give in
Though your life was at stake
You’d show us what valour could mean
For you’d rather die freely
Than live on your knees
Oh you’d rather die freely 
Than live on your knees…

So now you know the tale.. of Grace O’Malley
Just a girl with red hair .. who was worth more than marriage
Now look at your daughters..  and tell them you love them
And treat them like equals and never condemn them
They’re all so much more.. they’re  worth so much more…
Like Grainne of Clare.

The Tale of Grace O'Malley

The Tale Of Grace O'Malley

2024 Remix and Remaster version to bring it up to the standard of the later album tracks for full album release in 2025.
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This Cinematic-style Celtic Fantasy is loosely based around an ancient Celtic gathering on Lindisfarne and had me researching the Common Brittonic language to get some interesting 'Foley' sounds. It was spoken in Britain and Brittany and eventually developed into Old Welsh, Cumbric, Cornish, and Breton. It also features my long suffering wife who over time has become a quasi- Foley artist and harmony part singer for me.

The Metheglin of the title is the oil that makes the celebration happen and is a type of spiced mead, so basically fermented honey with spices added. It also obliquely connects to Lindisfarne mead and also the bees featured in 'By Castle Walls'.

I wanted to get a sort of cinematic feel to be dropped into a Celtic Festival or feast day and I hoped the language and children's laughter would aid in the immersion. Finally in this project I get to do a fair bit of bouzouki playing which was a plus.

So hopefully you will enjoy the feast .... "búwa slanos ac swos"

This track is now part of "The Pilgrims Way Project" exploring the history and natural world of Lindisfarne.

Project Playlist

soundcloud.com/mrbouzouki/sets/the-pilgrims-way-project

Project Website

www.pilgrims-way.co.uk

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Instrumentation

A Taste of Metheglin features low and high whistles, harp, strings, violin, alto-flute, a choir backing and bouzouki. Percussion consists of bodhrán, clapping, various taps and knocks, shaker and even tapping on my acoustic guitar.

Vocal FX is a combination of Brittonic vocalisations and a backing line from the Soundiron 'Voices of Gaia' collection featuring the vocal talents of Linda Strawberry.

Some of the percussion sounds come from the excellent playable VST instrument set "Flying Hands Percussion" by HandHeld Sound

A sea waves sound FX and children laughing FX that are classed as Public Domain are used to add colour to the track from www.freesound.org

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

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Background

This track is a combination of VST-based instrumentation and real-playing of instruments with additional clapping, tapping and knocking, all overlaid with original Foley sounds.

I wanted to try and get a well developed rhythmic feel and maybe the feel of circular dancing that hopefully comes out from the track.

A Taste Of Metheglin - 2024 Remix and Remaster

I always think of Saint Patrick’s Day here in the US as a celebration of the social graces as they involve drinking. We drink together, we laugh and cry together, and friendships typically grow like flowers from those barroom and “parlor” floors. With the big day just a couple weeks away now I wanted to contribute something that expresses my attachment to the many fast friends I hold dear. I dedicate this one to my closest friend who is departed too soon, Rich. Cheers.

Music written by Craig Durgy ©2025
Guitar & vocals by Craig Durgy
Production by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records (including bass, tin whistle & percussion)

Lyrics:

Let’s drink to the morning, 
That peeks through the windows 
And drink as the night melts away
Let’s drink to the memories 
That yesterday knows
And cheers to the friends that remain

I raise my glass cause it’s 
Lighter than toiling
And is drawn to be tested to yours
I drink to the moment 
That we’ll be recalling
And the path to the day it recurs

And if it seems to me, 
It matters not
The hopes and dreams of two old sots
The lesson of time is 
The beverage that binds us
I drink to your smile and our lot

I can see through the weary
As the sun warms your face
And the suds settle down in your glass
Your eyes are not teary
As we take this last taste
And swallow the tears of the past

I raise my glass cause it’s 
Lighter than toiling
And is drawn to be tested to yours
I drink to the moment 
That we’ll be recalling
And the path to the day it recurs

And if it seems to me, 
It matters not
The hopes and dreams of two old sots
The lesson of time is 
The beverage that binds us
I drink to your smile and our lot
I drink to your smile and our lot

The Beverage That Binds Us

This is an original folk ballad with Irish nuances to fit the Saint Patrick’s Day spirit of the love story it tells. The tale of one fateful day in a crowded pub that leads to an annual ritual of love and longing.

Craig Durgy: guitar & vocals
Nat Daniels: piano, tin whistle, bass, percussion & vocals
All music written and performed by Daniels & Durgy
Produced by Nat Daniels of Gentle Rain Records ©2025

Lyrics:
It’s ten in the morning, I sit in my car, 
The late winter sun settles in
I wait for a sign from the door of the bar, 
To beckon me enter, again

Today of all days, when the Danny Boy plays, 
I’m here where the story began
The day was the same, when in Saint Paddy’s name, 
I stood by the wall near the band

When out of the din, three ladies walked in, 
And one of them caused me to stare
Oh, I looked her over, this four-leaf clover, 
With a green ribbon bow in her hair
 
I finished my beer and ordered a chaser, 
And when I returned to the wall
There stood the ladies, and I had to face her, 
But no words came to me at all

I gave her a glance, saw a shift in her stance, 
The music poured on us like rain
And all I could do was to ask her to dance, 
And she smiled, how that memory remains

Cause we danced through the afternoon, many a pint, 
She laughed when I sang Black and Tans
And when the pipes played at the end of the night, 
My heart was alive in her hands

Her name was Diana from Billings, Montana, 
That rhyme I will never forget
She said it real loud to get over the crowd, 
And I can’t get her out of my head

Though neither of us could claim Irish descent, 
We kissed till the dawn had arrived
With one last kiss more, out my door the girl went, 
And the memories are all that survived

Of that St. Patrick’s Day, and a lady so fare, 
With a green ribbon bow in her hair
I’ll be here every year, while she’s out there somewhere, 
With a green ribbon bow in her hair

A Green Ribbon Bow

This is a short story of a young boy whose grandmother has a flair for portraying her Irish roots whenever her grandson comes to visit. Although it's all just in fun, the boy grows up to remember fondly those days of singing and adoring her with every moment.

Music written and performed by Craig Durgy
With production and backing vocals by Nat Daniels / Gentle Rain Records
©2025 Craig Durgy

Lyrics:
When I was a little boy, to Grandma’s house I’d go
The day would fly, no wonder why, cause, God, I loved her so
In the garden, singing songs and, taking walks to say
“Hi” to all the folks we knew, that lived along the way

Toora is what, I would call her, 
How she’d end each day
Singing, Too-Ra-Loo-Ra, oh, how I love ya
God keep thee I pray

Grandma Toora, born near Boston, she had Irish roots
Just a hint of Irish brogue and a pair of bright green boots
We’d sit on the porch at dusk, before ‘twas time for bed
She’d spin yarns of leprechauns, to fill my little head

Toora is what, I would call her, how she’d end each day
Singing, Too-Ra-Loo-Ra, oh, how I love ya
God keep thee I pray…
Toora is what, I would call her, how she’d end each day
Singing, Toora-Loora, oh, how I love ya
God keep thee I pray
God keep thee I pray

Beer Cans and Arrowheads

Grandma Toora

Copyright Daniels & Durgy 2018
This original song describes that feeling of escaping your day-to-day work life, wandering through the crowds to the sanctity of a local pub. And there the really deep rooted thoughts and meanings get their chance to rise to the surface and take over. In the contemplative world of the low lights and the general banter, the heart overcomes the brain and for a while you get lost in it, on that side of the line between real life and the one that got away..... (lyrics below)
This Side Of The Line:
Out of the crowds I 
Look for a break in this fast moving day
As I look about I
Shiver awake to the city’s cold grey

Turn down the lane
And into a pub, dimly glowing and warm
Settle my brain
With the flame in the whiskey as it goes down

Man on the rise I, lose sight of the prize, my 
Time really flies when I’m getting things done
But now and again I, remember when I 
Escaped to the arms of a certain someone

Ordered a beer
Wash down the whiskey and stir up the past
Bringing her near
Just like this bottle, the curve of the glass

Study the mirror
Reflecting the colors of spirits and light
Everything’s clear
Dissecting old lovers like stars in the night

Man on the rise I, lose sight of the prize, my 
Time really flies when I’m getting things done
But now and again I, remember when I 
Escaped to the arms of a certain someone

Time to go home
Can’t stay too long on this side of the line
But here all alone
I feel her lips on this bottle of mine
This side of the line
I feel her lips on this bottle of mine

This Side Of The Line

Copyright Daniels & Durgy 2019
Gentle Rain Records
Written and Performed by Nat Daniels and Craig Durgy
Guitars & Mandolin - Craig Durgy
Tin Whistle & Piano - Nat Daniels

Two Lovers From Glenfinnan - by Nat Daniels & Craig Durgy

Come in from the cold, wet your 
whistle my friend
I’ll tell you a story of two lovers
And by the silver shimmer
On an old hallows eve
You can still hear them calling for each other

Singing  hey-ho, hey-ho
Where’s the bonnie lass from Glenfinnan..
She’s waiting for him, between swaying sheaths 
Like a dreamless dream, singing hey-ho

Bound to his Lordship, he was torn from her arms,
Setting sail across to New England
But her love broke his bonds
From the bow he just flew
But a musket rang true singing Hey-ho!

Oh, hey-ho, hey-ho
Where’s the bonnie lad from Glenfinnan..
He’s searching for her, between toil and the sea 
A tormented breeze, singing Hey- ho

Instrumental 
And we sing, hey-ho, hey-ho
Where’s the two lovers from Glenfinnan?
We still hear their song, as the  
North wind heaves, swaying barley sheaths
And their souls, still cry,   hey-ho!

Blue on Blue

Two Lovers From Glenfinnan

Two Lovers from Glenfinnan

Copyright Daniels & Durgy 2019
Gentle Rain Records
Written, performed and produced by Nat Daniels & Craig Durgy
Nat Daniels - Piano, vocals, tin whistle & production
Craig Durgy - Vocals

Lyrics:
By dim light, you whispered sweet,
Will you bind, your heart to me?

Though the banners wave,
And the shields wait true,
Marry me this night,
B’fore the morning dew....

In your eyes, Shone the fire light
Heather sprig,  Lying by my side.. 

Oh my love, 
Return to me
But should you fall, 
I’ll follow thee,
A Shield maiden fair.

Will you follow, my ribbon there
To shores of Loch Shiel
Where the sun yet shines
We’ll shimmer bright
On the shield of dreams....
You’ll find me there.

Shores of Loch Shiel

Shores Of Loch Shiel

Copyright 2020 Daniels & Durgy
Gentle Rain Records
Written, performed and produced by: Daniels & Durgy
Tin whistle, piano - Nat Daniels
Guitars - Craig Durgy
Lyrics: 

You & Me (On Saint Patrick’s Day)

The winter grows weary, as March fills the air
I sit here alone at the bar
A song makes me teary, Rose of Clare
This cheap Irish whisky is hard

And I picture you here, with a pint glass of beer,
In an old wooden booth by the wall
With a plate of corned beef and a smile ear to ear
And hardly a worry at all, no
 Hardly a worry at all

(Chorus)
Drink one for the troubles and one for the laughs
One more for old Galway Bay
And though life has taken us down separate paths
It always will be, you and me, on St. Patrick’s Day   

We’d head out the door ‘fore the morning was o’er
As thirsty as two lads could be
And walk to Gahan’s just as fast as ya can
Just to make sure we got the best seats

We’d sit ourselves down and order a round
And that shot glass of Paddy’s would sting
Then the bagpiper played, oh the sweet sound he made
And all through the day we would sing, yes
All through the day we would sing

(Chorus)
Drink one for the troubles and one for the laughs
One more for old Galway Bay
And though life has taken us down separate paths
It always will be, you and me, on St. Patrick’s Day

Blue On Blue

You and Me (On Saint Patrick’s Day)

You And Me (On Saint Patrick's Day)

Copyright Daniels & Durgy 2021 / Gentle Rain Records
Tin Whistle - Nat Daniels
Bag Pipes - Donald P Hicks   -  Our profound thanks to you Don!!
Written by Craig Durgy
 
For those that have occasion to think back on "the one that got away". Imagining that other person today, wondering what might have been and what has actually happened over the years since. This wistful, original song is done in traditional folk style with an Irish/Celtic feel. Let your guard down a moment and go with the contemplation, for better or worse, a brief indulgence as Saint Patrick's Day visits us once again...only to drown our lament and fancy in Guinness and whiskey. Many thanks to our good friend Don Hicks for his wonderful bagpiping on this song.

Lyrics:

Darling Where Are You Now  - by Craig Durgy

Where are you now, is it too far away
Will the distance allow, you to say
To say you remember, when there was no doubt
Just an ember, oh where are you now

Have you really forgotten, did you really move on
Did life take you to, where I am gone
Do you sometimes imagine me,  some day some how
Or abandoned me, where are you now

The heart’s a good soldier, as time marches on
But wiser and older, seems wrong
The days melt like candles, but one won’t burn out
As my heart rambles, where are you now

Did the mountain Laurel bloom like a sunrise at noon
Did your eyes shine like light from the moon
Do our promises echo like birds in the clouds
Have you let go, oh where are you now

If we came face to face, would we smile and embrace 
Or has love disappeared with no trace 
When your memory’s near I may, wish you could hear me say 
Darling, oh where are you now

Chances

Darling Where Are You Now

Two song writers, two kindred spirits... that found each other by pure happenstance and great fortune, to collaborate and create music together.
To see our separate artist pages, please click on the following links:
Nat Daniels   https://soundcloud.com/natdaniels
Craig Durgy  https://soundcloud.com/durge