[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 (11–20)
The Kesh Jig
In the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic, one of the most delightful, feel-good scenes—enhanced by lively music—is the dance sequence where the protagonists Jack and Rose dance in the third-class quarters.
The four pieces used here are all traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, part of Celtic music.
The piece introduced in this article, The Kesh Jig, is used around the scene where an arm-wrestling match breaks out during the party.
If you’ve seen the film, the more joyful the revelers appear at the party, the more the tragic turn later on can tug at your heartstrings…
Also, The Kesh Jig is a classic favorite to play: it’s featured as the opening track on the debut album of The Bothy Band, the legendary group that popularized Irish traditional music in the 1970s—so be sure to check it out.
Star of the County Down
When people think of folk songs, many imagine music centered on indigenous beliefs.
While that aspect is indeed strong in folk music, there are exceptions in Irish folk.
One such example is “Star of the County Down.” Known as a classic Irish folk ballad, this piece portrays the anguished cry of a young man who lost his lover early in life.
The melody may sound cheerful at first, but if you listen closely, you’ll notice it is firmly set in a minor key.
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms
It’s quite common that the original sources of Japanese songs long beloved as shoka (school songs) turn out to be Irish folk tunes, and digging into Irish music often leads to discoveries like these—that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? The piece widely known in Japan as “Haru no Hi no Hana to Kagayaku” also originates from the Irish song “Believe me, if all those endearing young charms.” The Japanese composer-lyricist Keizo Horiuchi did a truly wonderful job of rendering the universal love song by Thomas Moore—the national poet of Ireland, also known for “The Last Rose of Summer,” the original of “Niwa no Chigusa”—into beautifully expressive Japanese lyrics.
Irish Washerwoman
Despite being arranged so that only the melody is played on instruments like the fiddle or violin—or guitar or bagpipes—the unique beat that springs from the melody makes you want to start clapping along and dancing! The Irish folk tune “The Irish Washerwoman,” a jig said to date back to the 17th century, was at one time even given lyrics and sung in operas.
Richard Hayman, renowned as the chief arranger for the Boston Pops Orchestra, released an album titled “Irish Rhapsody” under the name Richard Hayman & His Orchestra, which also features “The Irish Washerwoman.” If you love classical music and are curious about Celtic music, be sure to check it out.
The Hills of Greenmore
When people hear “Irish folk music,” many probably picture instrumentals.
It’s true that there are plenty of instrument-focused tunes in Irish folk, but there are also vocal-centered songs.
One of them is The Hills of Greenmore.
With a simple arrangement of tin whistle, violin, and mandolin, it embodies classic Irish folk.
If you enjoy lively, upbeat tracks, be sure to give it a listen.