Letters from Ireland

Celebrating our 40th Season The Cherry Creek Chorale presents Letters from Ireland March 6 & 7, 2020 We dedicate our entire 40th Season to the memory of our beloved Associate Conductor, Greg Marsh Tonight’s concert is sponsored by Tagawa Gardens, with thanks for their support. Letters from Ireland, A Choral Suite ................................................arr. by Mark Brymer *Laura Schulkind, penny whistle and flute; *Emily Lewis, fiddle; *Hillary Schefter, harp Dirk Mewes, Uillean pipes; Richard Gee, button accordion Robby Kleber, guitar; Ben Greene, bass Chris Samuels, percussion Letter 1-Interlude ....................................................................... Read by Margaret Beardall The Cliffs of Doneen ................................................................. Traditional Irish Folk Song You may travel far, far from your own native home. Far away o'er the mountains, far away o'er the foam. But of all the fine places that I've ever been, Sure there's none to compare with the Cliffs of Doneen. It's a nice place to be on a fine summer's day, Watching all the wildflowers that ne'er do decay. Oh the hare and the pheasants are plain to be seen Making homes for their young 'round the Cliffs of Doneen. Take a view o'er the mountains, fine sights you'll see there You'll see the high rocky mountains o'er the west coast of Clare. Oh the town af Kilkee and Kilrush can be seen From the high rocky slopes 'round the cliffs of Doneen. Letter 2-Planxty Irwin ........................................................................... Read by Chris Stille The Rocky Road to Dublin ........................................................ Traditional Irish Folk Song In the merry month of May, now from me home I started. Left the girls of Tuam, nearly broken-hearted. *members of the Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver Saluted father dear, kissed me darling mother. Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother. Then off to reap the corn and leave where I was born. I cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghost and goblin. In a bran' new pair of brogues, I rattled o'er the bogs. And frightened all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin. One, two, three, four, five. (Refrain) Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road. And all the way to Dublin, whack, fol-ol de-day. In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary. Started by daylight next morning light and airy. Took a drop of the pure, to keep me heart from sinkin'. That's the Paddy's cure, when'er he's on for drinkin'. To see the lassies smile, laughin' all the while. At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'. They ax'd if I was hired, the wages I required. 'Til I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin. One, two, three, four, five. In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity. To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city. When I took a stroll all among the quality. Me bundle it was stole all in that neat locality. Somethin' crossed me mind, then I looked behind. No bundle I could find upon me stick a-wobblin'. Enquirin' for the rogue, they said me Connaught brogue. Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin. One, two, three, four, five. Letter 3-Blackberry Blossom....................................................... Read by Brian Leatherman Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels) ........................................ Traditional Irish Folk Song Letter 4-Fisher's Hornpipe .............................................................Read by Barbara Wollan Lanigan's Ball ............................................................................ Traditional Irish Folk Song (Refrain) Six long months I spent in Dublin Six long months doing nothing at all Six long months I spent in Dublin Learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball. In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lanigan Battered away 'til he hadn't a shillin', His father he died, made him a man again, Left him a farm and ten acres of ground. He gave a grand party for friends and relations, Who wouldn't forget him, would come to the wall. If only you'd listen, I'll make your eyes glisten At rows and ructions of Lanigan's Ball. They're doing all kinds of nonsensical polkas, All 'round the room in a whirlygig. 'Til Julie and I soon banished their nonsense And tipped them a twist of a real Irish jig! Oh, how that girl she really got mad at me, Danced 'til we thought that the ceiling would fall. For I spent three weeks at Brooks Academy Learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball. I stepped out - and I stepped in again Learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball. The Wild Rover/Whiskey in the Jar ........................................... Traditional Irish Folk Song Letter 5-Skibbereen ............................................................................... Read by Chris Stille Traditional Irish Folk Song O, Father dear, I oft times hear you speak of Erin's Isle, Her lofty scenes, her valleys green, her mountains rude and wild. They say it is a princely place wherein the king might dwell. So, why did you abandon it? The reason to me tell. O son, I loved my native land with energy and pride. Until a blight came on my crops, the sheep and cattle died. The rent and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem. And that's the cruel reason why I left ol' Skibbereen. Your mother too, God rest her soul, lay on the snowy ground. She fainted o'er in anguish from the desolation 'round. She never rose but passed away from life to immortal dream. And she found a quiet grave, me boy, in dear ol' Skibbereen. And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame. I could not leave you with my friends, you bore your father's name. I wrapped you in a blanket at the dead of night unseen. I heaved a sigh and bade goodbye to dear ol' Skibbereen. Muirsheen Durkin ..................................................................... Traditional Irish Folk Song In the days I went a courtin', I was never tired resortin', To the alehouse or a playhouse and, or many's a house besides. I told me brother Seamus I'd go off and be right famous And I never would return again, I'd roam the whole world wide. (Refrain) Goodbye Muirsheen Durkin, I'm sick and tired of workin'. No more, I'll dig the praties, no longer, I'll be fooled. As sure as my name is Carney, I'll be off to Californee. And instead of diggin' praties, I'll be diggin' lumps of gold. So goodbye all ye girls at home. You're sailing far across the foam. To try and make me fortune in far Americay. There's gold and money plenty for the poor and for the gentry. And when I do return again, I never more will stray. Letter 6-Road to Lisdoonvarna .............................................................Read by Dave Stover Paddy Works on the Railway ..................................................... Traditional Irish Folk Song Letter 7-Interlude ..............................................................................Read by Kevin LaPrise The Wearing of the Green ......................................................... Traditional Irish Folk Song soloist: David Chambless Intermission The CherryTones Danny Boy .......................................................................Traditional Irish Folk Song Words by Frederick Edward Weatherly arr. by Peter Knight adapted by Philip Lawson Galway Girl............................................................ Words and music by Ed Sheeran, Foy Vance, John McDaid, Amy Wadge, Eamon Murray, Niamh Dunne, Liam Bradley, Damian McKee, and Sean Graham arr. by Philip Lawson Emily Lewis, fiddle; Chris Samuels, percussion; Robby Kleber, guitar Featuring quintet members Cady Girten, James Libbon, Leah Lucas, Ruth Most, and Jenee Stewart Pipe Set #1 .............................................................. Michael Collins Pipes & Drums Chorale Only Time .......................................................... Enya, Nicky Ryan, and Roma Ryan soloists: Leah Lucas, Lynsey Simmons, and William White arr. by Kirby Shaw Who can say when the roads meet that love might be in your heart? And who can say when the day sleeps if the night keeps all your heart? Who can say if your love grows as your heart chose? Only time. And who can say where the road goes, where the day flows? Only time. Who knows? Only time. Oft, In the Stilly Night .....................................................Music by Kevin Padworski Sung by the Tenors and Basses of the Chorale Words by Thomas Moore Emily Lewis, violin soloists: Roger Adcock and Bill Patterson Oft in the stilly night ere slumber's chain has bound me, Fond memory brings the light of other days around me; The smiles, the tears of boyhood's years, the words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone, now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus, in the stilly night, ere slumber's chain hath bound me, Sad memory brings the light of other days around me. When I remember all the friends, so link'd together, I've seen around me fall like leaves in wintry weather, I feel like one who treads alone, Some banquet-hall deserted, whose lights are fled, Whose garlands dead, and all but he departed! Thus, in the stilly night, ere slumber's chain hath bound me, Sad memory brings the light of other days around me. Tell My Ma ......................................................................Traditional Irish Folk Song Sung by the Sopranos and Altos of the Chorale arr. by Jon Washburn Conducted by Brenda Berganza, Chorale member soloist: Kristen Park Pipe Set #2 .............................................................. Michael Collins Pipes & Drums Amazing Grace ............................................................................ Southern Harmony arr. by Mack Wilberg Rick Seaton, organ; Michael Collins Pipes & Drums Highland Cathedral ...........................................................Traditional Scottish Tune arr. by John Kuzma Rick Seaton, organ; Michael Collins Pipes & Drums This, our season of joy, is also tinged with sadness. As we celebrate our 40th year, and Brian Leatherman’s 25th as our Artistic Director, we mourn the loss of Greg Marsh, our Associate Conductor, colleague of 23 years, mentor, and dear friend. Greg was a natural teacher — a gentle persuader — and a born story-teller, always with an instructional purpose.

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