2020 marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of one of Ireland's greatest ever musicians, Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin (Rory Dal O'Cahan). Rory was a harper and, like many of Ireland's great musicians at that time, he would travel the country and over seas to Scotland playing his harp to the noble families of the day.
One day, while traveling through Derry in the North of Ireland, he took some shade under a tree and had a nap. While he slept, as legend has it, fairies came to him in a dream and played him a sweet melody. When Rory awoke, he played the melody on is harp. He played it everywhere he went, from the castles of the wealthy noble families to the town squares where peasants would come to sell their produce. In time the melody became loved in every corner of Ireland, and wherever Irish people travelled.
The rich music tradition Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin was part of in Ireland was an aural tradition. Unlike elsewhere in Europe, most music was not written down but passed down be ear from one musician to another and from generation to generation. In this way Rory's fairy melody was passed down and was eventually written down by the great Irish music collector Edward Bunting in the 1840s. Bunting's collection was shared across the world allowing Rory's melody to be played by many musicians who reinterpreted and renamed the tune and adding worlds to the melody.
Rory's melody's best days however were yet to come. By the 20th century, the tune was well known but in 1913 English songwriter Frederic Weatherly added lyrics that brought Rory's simple melody to world fame. It is these lyrics, 'O Danny Boy' that today we remember Rory's melody by. 'O Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling"
Irish people around the world, when they hear this song, are instantly reminded of home. It remains the most loved Irish song, it's beautiful words sang by great musicians such as Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Within this song's beauty there is also a reflective sorrow, like many Irish songs and it has been performed on mournful occasions such as the funeral of President J F Kennedy. Though O Danny Boy is in the hearts and minds of Irish around the world, few know its origins. Who would have though so much could come from Rory's roadside dream almost 400 years ago.
Wishing you all the best and thank you so much,
Your support and encouragement is appreciated now more than ever, thank you.
Your friend,
Patrick
If you enjoy this music, consider buying me a cup of tea at www.ko-fi.com/patrickdexter
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