This month KVR contest has an open theme of *sad*.
As there is no time limit and covers are allowed, for a change, I decided to do a tune that I've wanted to record for a long time....but could never find an excuse!
This has always struck me as one of the saddest, melancholy tunes to come out of modern-day Ireland. It was written and originally performed by the great Finbar Furey, champion of the pipes and whistle. I met him a few times in the early 70's and he, and his brothers, had a profound influence on the way I listened to traditional style music.
This is my own translation of
The Lonesome Boatman.
James