MUSICAL NOTES:

This Irish rebel song is about the "press gangs" that used to roam the countryside recruiting young men. The words which Joe and Lynne sing represent in turn the man's point of view, and then the woman's. The full text is below:

-- (Joe) Twas on a Monday morning as I crossed o'er the moss / I little thought of 'listing, till the soldiers I did cross / Their company enticed me to drink their health all round / And the bounty they gave me, five guineas and a crown

-- (Joe) My head was full of drink, love, and I didn't think of you / And now I'm forced to go and join the orange and the blue / Our ship it waits at anchor, to take the flowing tide / I'll return love, in the spring time, where I'll make you my bride

-- (Lynne) So early the next morning, before the break of day / The captain gave his orders, and my love he marched away / All in your ranks and files boys, all on your native shore / Fare Thee Well love, you're the one that I adore

-- (Lynne) And I hope you never prosper, and I hope you always fail / In everything you venture, I hope you ne'er do well / And the very ground you walk on, may the grass refuse to grow / Since you've been the very cause of my sorrow, grief and woe

(Instrumental)

-- (All - chorus) Well, it's true my love has 'listed, and he wears the blue cockade / He is a handsome young man, likewise a rovin' blade / He is a handsome young man, and he's gone to serve the king / While my very heart is aching all for the love of him

-- (Joe) Twas on a Monday morning as I crossed o'er the moss / I little thought of 'listing, till the soldiers I did cross / Their company enticed me to drink their health all round / And the bounty they gave me, five guineas and a crown

TECHNICAL NOTES:

We recorded this at the BBC in 2002 - I'm playing harp at the back. The studio output was recorded composite in 16:9 PAL onto DVCAM tape - not component hence pretty good video quality considering that.

ABOUT THE BAND:

We recorded our performance "live" without further editing apart from adding our website address / song name. This was directed by a famous BBC director and I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!

Mark