Looking for a new song for the island…
Going through security at Paris Charles de Gaulle last night, I saw this guy just up ahead who was a ringer for Keith Wood, the former Irish rugby captain. Turns out it was him, and we ended up sitting one seat apart on the plane. We had a fair old conversation about the ongoing controversy over Ireland’s Call. He’d been talking to someone before the match, who’d suggested a song called “The Isle” (I think. I wasn’t taking notes, and it had been a long day and a longer night before) might serve in its place.
I’ve since Googled for it, and can’t find it, but apparently it was written by a northern Irish Quaker. If anyone knows the song, or knows of the song or especially if you have possession of the lyrics, perhaps you could punt them along, or post the below? Other suggested candidates also welcome.
Update:
How serious was Woody Mick? I thought the whole Anthem thing had been dealt with – is there serious unrest within the Ireland camp with regards to Ireland’s call??
Merrily Kiss the Quaker’s wife ?
Mick,
The full title is “There is an isle”. That should help the googling.
Here you go, you’ll have heard it before:
http://www.shannonrfc.com/isle.htm
Agh,
Well, personally I suspect that the anthem controversy is dead as a dead thing. My own view is that it was an unnecessary slap in the face to the only people who earn the rest of us in Ulster representation in an all island team. And, de facto, it means we are now stuck with an anaemic compromise – yep, after Paris I am now with the sceptics. Most of the conversation was around whether it was possible to find a ‘living alternative’. If it’s not, IC should stay put.
Yep Frank, that’s it (looks like the title is interchangeable) I’d forgotten it was the club song of Shannon, else I might have found it quicker. Good work.
Munster inter-club rivalry can be as strong as inter-provincial rivalry so I can’t see all the other Munster clubs being in favour of There is an Isle given its association with Shannon.
Its a good tune but I don’t know how the call/response bits would work in a stadium with 80k people.
ps. Lyrics are here
http://www.shannonrfc.com/isle.htm
oops… apologies to Frank Sinistra who provided the link first.
Let us keep the anthem controversy up so that people will not realise how bad the team was.
Blaming Irelands performances, or lack of, on the pre match song is like blaming 9/11 on the design of the twin towers.
I’d love to see the record collections of those slagging off Ireland’s call.
Gram, Good point. It works the other way too. England won the last World Cup despite having to sing the world’s dullest dirge before each match.
Pith,
“England won the last World Cup despite having to sing the world’s dullest dirge before each match.”
You forgot to mention that it isn’t our anthem either, we don’t actually have one! All of our sports teams with the exception of the athletes who compete for England at the Commonwealth Games where “Land of Hope and Glory” is played, have to endure GSTQ in spite of its lack of reference to England or her people. As a song to be played at Royal occasions I don’t have a problem with it, but as a song to represent my country it stinks. Just as there is a debate going on regarding “Ireland’s Call” and which anthems and symbols should be used for all-Ireland events, there is also a debate going on regarding what should be England’s national anthem:
http://anthem4england.co.uk/
A Song For Ireland
Song For Ireland
By Phil and June Colclough
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=UR1SCDmJVxE – Mary Black
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=WwpEDYXAbJg – Luke Kelly
Walking all the day
Near tall towers where falcons build their nests
Silver-winged they fly
They know the call of freedom in their breasts
Saw Black Head against the sky
Where twisted rocks they run to the sea
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Drinking all the day
In old pubs where fiddlers love to play
Saw one touch the bow
He played a reel which seemed so grand and gay
Stood on Dingle Beach and cast
In wild foam we found Atlantic bass
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Talking all the day
With true friends who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news
Singing songs to while the time away
Watched the Galway salmon run
Like silver dancing, darting in the sun
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Dreaming in the night
I saw a land where no one had to fight
Waking in your dawn
I saw you crying in the morning light
Sleeping where the falcons fly
They twist and turn all in your air-blue sky
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Oró sé do bheatha abhaile – by Pádraig Mac Piarais is my nomination.
Tá Grainne Mhaol ag tiocht ar sáÃle
Óglaigh armtha lei mar gharda
Gaeil iad féin is na Gaill ná Spáinnigh
Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh.
That’s not nearly as blood curdling as La Marseillaise which, when sung by 60,000 French supporters in full voice in Stade du France, puts the Haka in the shade.
There is an Isle is the closest song there is to a genuine and traditional rugby song in Ireland and should be considered. Ireland’s call is mediocre – so perhaps it’s apt that it be sung by a mediocre team. If they want the genuine article, they should ditch it and go for There Is an Isle or my suggestion.
Of course the one proviso is the Irish rugby players will need to step up their game to merit the singing of something such as There is an Isle. It’s not a mediocre dirge.
My other modest proposal is to recall the Irish rugby team, en masse, and replace them for next Sunday’s game against Argentina with the Kerry football team – even the Cork Lady Footballers – who would not disgrace us these overpaid big girls blouses have done over the past three weeks.
Seriously, pay Eddie O’Sullivan off and get Declan Kidney in there sharpish.
The Gambler
by Kenny Rodgers
After recent performances might I suggest Under Pressure by Freddie Mercury & David Bowie.
How about the national anthem.
Naw, GSTQ would be too controversal.
A Nation Once Again is a great tune – all these other ones, from Danny Boy, There is an Isle, Ireland’s Call – too slow. How about we take the tune of ANOA and creat some new lyrics.
Cannot have Under Pressure as (the) Queen is involved.
Harsh, Queen are one of the greatest bands to have ever existed.
There is an Isle was a Munstershire anthem long before the bandwagoneers started up with the miserable dirge that is Fields of Athenry. Can’t see how it’d work as an Ireland anthem though.
What about Mise Eire? The traditional answer to this question.
Mix elements of ‘God Save the Queen’ with ‘The Soldiers Song’ and ye get ‘God Save Ireland’