The Songs
9. Royalty and Rules is a powerful original song by Jon. The song provodes a historical context to the "Troubles". It ends with a modern day plea for peace and an end to the violence in Northern Ireland. We had hoped that by the time this album came out, this struggle, which has gone on intermidably, would have been brought to a peaceful conclusion. Unfortunately, though nearly there, there are a few more steps left on the road. Instruments are, Jon, lead vocals, 6 string guitar, harmonica, Jim, background vocals, 5 string banjo, Chetz, bass, Dale, drums, Robbie, fiddle.
10. There have been many great songs written about the emmigration (Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore is oneof them) that occurred during the Potato Famine and this is one of them. Chetz's tune Queenstown follows the grim trip to America and concludes on a note of hope for the future. Jim, vocals, bouzouki, tenor banjo, Chetz, piano, bass, guitar, pennywhistle, Jon, 12 string guitar.
11. Jim's song
Time Lads
is in the tradition of closing time songs such as the Clancy Brother's Parting Glass. It is also the phrase often used in Irish pubs to move folks along at the end of the night. The band often closes their shows with this tune, which tries to capture some of what it is like to be a working musician.
