[Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Masterpieces and Standards of Ethnic Music

The Last Rose of Summer

Laura Wright – The Last Rose Of Summer

Even just the Japanese title Natsu no Nagori no Bara (The Last Rose of Summer) evokes a melancholy, fleeting, yet profoundly beautiful poetic feeling.

The Last Rose of Summer is a poem written in 1805 by the Irish poet Thomas Moore, a work that has been quoted not only in classical and popular music but also in novels and films across many fields.

In Japan, it was included in the 1884 publication Shogaku Shokashu (III) under the title Kiku (Chrysanthemum), but the opening words of the lyrics, “Niwa no Chigusa” (The myriad plants in the garden), became the song’s title as-is, and that is how it came to be widely known.

As a highly popular Irish folk song, it exists in countless versions, so even if you don’t know the original, you’ve likely had many chances to hear its wistful melody.

The Kesh Jig

[Celtic Music] Kesh Jig & Vanilla Jig [Irish]

In the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic, one of the most delightful, feel-good scenes—enhanced by lively music—is the dance sequence where the protagonists Jack and Rose dance in the third-class quarters.

The four pieces used here are all traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, part of Celtic music.

The piece introduced in this article, The Kesh Jig, is used around the scene where an arm-wrestling match breaks out during the party.

If you’ve seen the film, the more joyful the revelers appear at the party, the more the tragic turn later on can tug at your heartstrings.

.

.

Also, The Kesh Jig is a classic favorite to play: it’s featured as the opening track on the debut album of The Bothy Band, the legendary group that popularized Irish traditional music in the 1970s—so be sure to check it out.

Irish Washerwoman

André Rieu & John Sheahan – Irish Washerwomen

Despite being arranged so that only the melody is played on instruments like the fiddle or violin—or guitar or bagpipes—the unique beat that springs from the melody makes you want to start clapping along and dancing! The Irish folk tune “The Irish Washerwoman,” a jig said to date back to the 17th century, was at one time even given lyrics and sung in operas.

Richard Hayman, renowned as the chief arranger for the Boston Pops Orchestra, released an album titled “Irish Rhapsody” under the name Richard Hayman & His Orchestra, which also features “The Irish Washerwoman.” If you love classical music and are curious about Celtic music, be sure to check it out.

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms

John McDermott – Believe Me (If All Those Endearing Young Charms)

It’s quite common that the original sources of Japanese songs long beloved as shoka (school songs) turn out to be Irish folk tunes, and digging into Irish music often leads to discoveries like these—that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? The piece widely known in Japan as “Haru no Hi no Hana to Kagayaku” also originates from the Irish song “Believe me, if all those endearing young charms.” The Japanese composer-lyricist Keizo Horiuchi did a truly wonderful job of rendering the universal love song by Thomas Moore—the national poet of Ireland, also known for “The Last Rose of Summer,” the original of “Niwa no Chigusa”—into beautifully expressive Japanese lyrics.

The Hills of Greenmore

Dervish Singer, Cathy Jordan – The Hills of Greenmore | An Harp, Sligeach | Geantraí 2012 | TG4

When people hear “Irish folk music,” many probably picture instrumentals.

It’s true that there are plenty of instrument-focused tunes in Irish folk, but there are also vocal-centered songs.

One of them is The Hills of Greenmore.

With a simple arrangement of tin whistle, violin, and mandolin, it embodies classic Irish folk.

If you enjoy lively, upbeat tracks, be sure to give it a listen.

Star of the County Down

The Irish Rovers, Star of the County Down (w/ lyrics)

When people think of folk songs, many imagine music centered on indigenous beliefs.

While that aspect is indeed strong in folk music, there are exceptions in Irish folk.

One such example is “Star of the County Down.” Known as a classic Irish folk ballad, this piece portrays the anguished cry of a young man who lost his lover early in life.

The melody may sound cheerful at first, but if you listen closely, you’ll notice it is firmly set in a minor key.

Danny Boy

“Danny Boy” - Irish folk song

A treasured ballad that has continued to be loved around the world as a song carrying on the heart of Ireland.

In 1913, British lawyer Frederick Weatherly set warm lyrics to a traditional Irish melody.

Its tune, which gently embraces the feelings of those leaving their homeland and the partings from loved ones, resonates deeply with listeners.

Artists who defined their eras, including Bing Crosby and Sinéad O’Connor, have kept the song alive, and in the 1990 film Miller’s Crossing, Frank Patterson’s vocals lent a memorable glow to a key scene.

An eternal classic to savor on a calm evening.