Irish Folk Songs

The Heart Of Ireland

Irish folk songs are a diverse and rich tradition that dates back centuries. The earliest known folk songs date back to the 17th century, but many scholars believe that the tradition is much older. These songs are typically characterized by their simple melodies, catchy rhythms, and often humorous or bawdy lyrics. They often deal with themes of love, loss, and the natural world.

These songs were originally passed down orally from generation to generation. However, in the 19th century, a number of Irish folk songs were collected and published. This helped to preserve the tradition and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

The revival of folk music in Ireland during the 20th century was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It was driven by a number of factors, including the rise of Irish nationalism, the increasing popularity of American folk music, and the work of a number of key individuals and organizations.

One of the most important factors in the revival of Irish folk music was the rise of Irish nationalism. In the early 20th century, Ireland was in the midst of a struggle for independence from Britain. Irish folk songs, with their often patriotic lyrics, became a rallying cry for nationalists. They were seen as a way to preserve Irish culture and heritage in the face of British rule.

Another important factor in the revival of Irish folk music was the increasing popularity of American folk music. In the 1940s and 1950s, American folk music became a major force in popular culture. This led to a renewed interest in Irish folk music, as many Americans began to see it as a cousin of American folk music.

Finally, the work of a number of key individuals and organizations also played a role in the revival of Irish folk music. One of the most important figures was Seán O'Casey, a playwright and poet who wrote extensively about Irish folk music. O'Casey's work helped to raise awareness of Irish folk music and its importance to Irish culture.

Another important figure was the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Gaelic League). The Comhaltas was founded in 1951 with the aim of promoting Irish traditional music, dance, and language. The Comhaltas has played a major role in the revival of Irish folk music, both in Ireland and abroad.

The revival of Irish folk music in Ireland during the 20th century had a number of positive consequences. It helped to preserve Irish culture and heritage, it led to a renewed interest in Irish music, and it helped to create a sense of national identity.

Today, Irish folk songs are still enjoyed by people all over the world. They are performed by traditional musicians, as well as by popular artists like The Corrs and U2, and they continue to be a vital part of Irish culture and heritage.

Celtic Nations

• Ireland (Éire)
• Scotland (Alba)
• Wales (Cymru)
• Cornwall (Kernow)
• Brittany (Breizh)
• Isle of Man (Mannin)

Each has a Celtic language that is either still spoken or was spoken into modern times.

Brittany is located in the north-west of France while the Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown dependency in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland.

The Magic

Whether the song is centuries old or only a few years old, it tells a story that is timeless; hardship and suffering, love and longing, happiness and sadness... it is complete. You never tire of listening to these tunes because through this music lies the history of Ireland, its people and everything they have endured and celebrated throughout the ages.

The instruments used in most Irish Folk Songs include the guitar, banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, violin or fiddle, Uilleann Pipes, accordion, flute, harmonica, Bodhran and various other forms of percussion. There's something about these instruments that pull at your very heart strings, or make you want to dance and sing for joy... there-in lies the magic of Irish Music.

Help Pages:

• Song Charts: If you are finding the song charts on this site a little hard to follow, this page will give you a summary of all the things you are likely to find along with explanations and definitions... very helpful.
• Writing Chords - learn how to write a chord, e.g., 320003 (G chord). These are used on some song pages as well as chord charts... handy to know.

Please Note: All the song charts on this site are my own interpretation of each song, in a format aimed at teaching guitarists and musicians in general. No attempt has been made to copy or reproduce the artist's or publisher's sheet music for the song, if it does exist. It is to be used for Informational and Educational Purposes Only. For a comprehensive representation of the songs, we recommend you buy the sheet music. If you like playing these songs, we encourage you to support the artists and buy their music.

If there is a particular song you would like to see here, please drop us a line, and we will do our best to include it on our list... see email below.