How about SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR by Padraic Collum? This is a
really wonderful song because you can really personalize it (if you
want) with your own embellishments (is that the right word? ....). It
is wonderful accompanied and even better unaccompanied.
A good place to start is the Ceolas Celtic music archive
http://www.ceolas.org once in there you can head to the songs and
lyrics section and have a look through. Often you get the lyrics and
not the tunes, though.
One that I love to sing is BLACK IS THE COLOUR OF MY TRUE LOVE'S
HAIR. I adore that song although it's not exactly a happy, lively
St. Patrick's day song! Then there's the BLACK VELVET BAND which is
great but may fall into your category of "cliché" but isn't
as "chlichéd" as THE WILD ROVER, DIRTY OLD TOWN etc...
THE HOLY GROUND is another one to consider. This can often be played
quite fast and wildly although I also have a CD at home of Mary Black
(I think ... not sure) singing this but a beautiful slow version.
Mary Black also sang a wonderful song "a woman's heart" which made it
huge in Ireland and although it is not a traditional folk song, is
often performed during our sessions. I have the sheet music at
home. It was recorded as a duet at one point but I have the solo
version. Since I'm in Switzerland, and not in the States, it might
take me a bit of time to get it to you if you want it but I can
always fax it ... just send me a mail at arado_ge@y... if you
want me to send/fax it.
To move on, DICEY RILEY is lively but I'm not sure if it's suited to
a light soprano voice. I love the JUG OF PUNCH but ... no, perhaps
not solo soprano type of song!!
ANOTHER song is LANNIGAN'S BALL. This is very fast and we often sing
it with just the Bodhran (Irish drum). Quite a tongue twister but
worth a look if you want to spice up the St Patrick's night!
I'm sorry, this is getting long. This is my area of knowledge so
while Karen Mercedes can recite the whole operatic repertoire, I
start doing the same in Celtic Folk Music.
I actually compose a lot of Irish style folk music. I've been
working on a song lately and while the tune is ok, the lyrics are
terrible. I cannot write lyrics. I could always send you a copy and
you could change the words ... :-) It's actually been performed
here by quite a few different Irish/Welsh musicians but they've all
said "the lyrics are S***" :-)
Kirsty
If you want more suggestions, let me know more the tpye of style you
want and I can send another list of tunes. I also have a library
full of Celtic music at home so if you're looking for anything
specific there is a chance I may have it!!
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