If Ireland is ever reunited (and I hope that remains an if rather than a when) this would make a good new national anthem. The opening line is such an Ulsterism and so comical for a first line in any song. The version on Jools Holland show, Later, (as referenced by mikeb330) is something else helped immensely by a great strings section. The song is off Van's 'Magic Time' album where the late David 'Foggy' Lyttle, guested on guitar and the album was dedicated to him as he died within weeks of completion of the recording.
The references to the "Gloriana tune" and "bonfires burning" suggest a backdrop of Belfast yet other places are named checked taking us further afield. Van sings "bonefires" if that helps the reader to understand how it's said in Northern Ireland unless you come from a middle class background! On the album version Van changes his vocal expression about 4 times during the song which enhances the production and quality to what is essentially a folk ballad. I am writing this on 2 January at the start of a new calendar year, which, if you will indulge me, let's call it a Celtic New Year.
If Ireland is ever reunited (and I hope that remains an if rather than a when) this would make a good new national anthem. The opening line is such an Ulsterism and so comical for a first line in any song. The version on Jools Holland show, Later, (as referenced by mikeb330) is something else helped immensely by a great strings section. The song is off Van's 'Magic Time' album where the late David 'Foggy' Lyttle, guested on guitar and the album was dedicated to him as he died within weeks of completion of the recording.
The references to the "Gloriana tune" and "bonfires burning" suggest a backdrop of Belfast yet other places are named checked taking us further afield. Van sings "bonefires" if that helps the reader to understand how it's said in Northern Ireland unless you come from a middle class background! On the album version Van changes his vocal expression about 4 times during the song which enhances the production and quality to what is essentially a folk ballad. I am writing this on 2 January at the start of a new calendar year, which, if you will indulge me, let's call it a Celtic New Year.