[Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Masterpieces and Standards of Ethnic Music
When you think of Irish folk songs, what tunes come to mind?
Many people may know “John Ryan’s Polka” as an Irish tune—the one used in the scene from the film Titanic where Jack and Rose dance in third class.
A hallmark of Irish folk music is the use of traditional instruments such as the uilleann pipes, a type of bagpipe, and the tin whistle.
Plenty of listeners are captivated by the nostalgic timbre of these sounds.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic Irish folk songs—from tracks that make you want to get up and dance to soothing melodies that bring you calm.
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[Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Folk Music Masterpieces and Standards (1–10)
John Ryan’s Polka
It’s one of the classics of Irish folk music, but what truly made the tune “John Ryan’s Polka” famous worldwide was surely James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic.
Many people will immediately think, “Oh, that tune,” when they hear it was one of the pieces used in the iconic scene where Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jack and Kate Winslet’s Rose dance in the third-class quarters of the Titanic.
The lively, joyful rhythm and melody—so quintessentially Irish—beautifully conjure a dreamlike moment of fun and cheer, as if the tragedy to come were a lie.
It might also be worth rewatching Titanic with the knowledge that members of Celtic music bands actually performed in the dance scenes, including Eric Rigler—leader of the American band Bad Haggis, which draws on Celtic and Scottish music, and a world-renowned bagpiper.
Kerry Reel
In addition to songs, Irish folk music also includes a dance tradition known as Irish dance.
These dances are still popular locally today and are finely categorized into styles such as social dance, step dance, céilí dance, and set dance.
One classic tune often used for Irish dance is “Kerry Reel,” noted for its cheerful, dance-ready melody.
You’ve probably heard this kind of melody at least once in anime or video games.
The Last Rose of Summer
Even just the Japanese title Natsu no Nagori no Bara (The Last Rose of Summer) evokes a melancholy, fleeting, yet profoundly beautiful poetic feeling.
The Last Rose of Summer is a poem written in 1805 by the Irish poet Thomas Moore, a work that has been quoted not only in classical and popular music but also in novels and films across many fields.
In Japan, it was included in the 1884 publication Shogaku Shokashu (III) under the title Kiku (Chrysanthemum), but the opening words of the lyrics, “Niwa no Chigusa” (The myriad plants in the garden), became the song’s title as-is, and that is how it came to be widely known.
As a highly popular Irish folk song, it exists in countless versions, so even if you don’t know the original, you’ve likely had many chances to hear its wistful melody.
My Darling Asleep
A celebrated piece among Irish folk songs, “My Darling Asleep.” It’s notable for its cheerful melody centered on the violin.
The origin of the piece is full of surprises—apparently, it’s actually themed around “love in bed.” Given how bright and sunny the melody is, that theme is quite unexpected (lol).
That said, it’s still a wonderful love song, so if you want to enjoy an Irish folk ballad, be sure to check it out.
I’ll Tell Me Ma
The Irish folk song “I’ll Tell Me Ma” is often treated like a nursery rhyme.
Beloved not only in Ireland but across the United Kingdom, it’s also known by titles such as “The Belle of Belfast City” and “The Boys Won’t Leave the Girls Alone.” Fitting its nursery rhyme-like reception, one of its charms is a very catchy overall structure.
Incidentally, there are two strong contenders for the song’s origins—Ireland and England—and it seems there’s a familiar local rivalry over which side can claim it first (lol).