Hi all,

Happy early St. Patrick's Day!

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the spring.  Here in Nebraska, we keep vacillating between winter and spring.  By the time you get this, I might be experiencing blizzard-like conditions!  And then by this next weekend my half-Irish self will be shrinking away from the 80 degree high. 

Anyway, as you may know, St. Patrick's Day is also the anniversary of when Andrew first met the Dyelanders in 2000.  So I thought it'd be fun to revisit Irish-adjacent musical moments.  And I do mean Irish-adjacent in some cases!  Most of the songs featured are truly Irish.  Some are simply performed by Irish folks.  And some just *seem* Irish to me even though they maybe aren't really.  One of my personal health goals is to listen to music more.  (I got sucked into podcasts which isn't a bad thing but did cut into my music time.)  So you might be seeing more music-themed newsletters than usual.  Enjoy and if you have a favorite Irish or Irish-adjacent song, I'd love to hear about it!

God bless,
Jenni

(We're all gonna pretend this is an Aran sweater and Andrew
looks panicked cause Vonnie gave Avi a bodhrán and there will be no peace.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Oooh boy...  When I started this, I thought I was gonna struggle to come up with twelve tracks.  But this got pretty out of hand!  I started at the top of the Cultural References page and worked my way down.  I did NOT realize so many Irish songs and performers had been referenced.  Further, I've realized the influence is so pronounced that I may have skipped some Irish-influenced songs just cause I didn't immediately realize the artist was Irish.  So if I missed anyone.. sorry!
St. Patrick's Day Anam Cara Mix

1.  "Moondance" by Van Morrison- I think this is probably the most oft-cited song written by an Irish person.  It's one of Andrew's and JenniAnn's go-to slow dance songs.  Why?  I dunno.  I just really like this song.  And I think, initially, I really liked the cheekiness of them dancing to "Well, I want to make love to you tonight."  (It didn't even occur to me that apparently some people interpret the term "moondance" itself to mean sex.)  When I first picked it, I had no idea how far things were going to go with them.  I also associate this song pretty strongly with Halloween which also made it fun to then push it off onto Andrew.  Outside the stories, it just makes me long for autumn evenings with the windows open and everything seeming a bit magical.

2.  "A Stór Mo Chroi" by Brian O'Higgins- This song hits something deep.  One of these days, I really need to look into when the Irish branches of my family immigrated and try to figure out why.  Anyway, this is a song that originally started as an Andrew/JenniAnn one and then shifted to Liam/Belle much like "Winter Light" did with Andrew/JenniAnn first dancing to it and then it becoming Avi's and Evie's wedding song.  Honestly, I just picked"A Stór Mo Chroi" for the stories cause I think it's hauntingly beautiful.  But it's taken on a bit more depth now.  So first a bit of a vignette...  As with many workplaces, mine has at least three generations in it.  And what we've noticed is that I'll often have at least some concept of the pop culture references the Gen X folks (and the Boomers, too, before they retired) bring up, often even being able to carry on a conversation about it.  Meanwhile, our Gen Z co-workers often have no idea.  And apparently one big reason for this is because Millennials like myself grew up largely before streaming so often had to watch the TV and movies and listen to the music that our parents chose.  And this is why I know Harry Chapin's oeuvre far better than I know that of most anyone from the 90s.  Anyway, I just really like the idea that Andrew and JenniAnn are kinda giving their kids more of that Millennial childhood experience.  It's not that they're preventing them from hearing modern music (neither did my parents... I just liked theirs more).  But through the dances in the ballroom and such, the kids are getting exposed to their parents' music to such an extent that it becomes their music.  I think "A Stór Mo Chroi" has additional relevance to Liam and Belle because the former spends the start of his adulthood as a nomad and the latter's birth family are immigrants from Afghanistan.  So I think they both have this longing for a place and time that figures into their histories but isn't wholly theirs.  But they find home in each other.

3.  "Sho Heen" by Alfred Perceval Graves- So I'm actually surprised this has apparently only figured into one story.  It's referenced in "We Trust in Thee."  JenniAnn mixed Andrew a CD of lullabies and this is on it.  These lyrics in particular get quoted:
"Why has my angel gone from me?
The moon I fear and the stars fall on me.
I won't close my eyes 'til the morning light.
Oh, bring on the sun I cannot rest tonight."

Honestly, I wish I'd thought to put it into "Shooting Star" as that woulda been a nice callback.  Anyway, what Andrew takes from it is that it's a song sung in part between an angel and the person they're guarding.  First, the angel is watching over the human.  But then something happens with the angel and, when they return, the human sings to them.  That's how I interpret it, too.  It seems very Andrew and JenniAnn coded that way.  Cause one of the themes I like is that while Andrew is literally an angel, within his and JenniAnn's relationship, the role of an angel gets passed back and forth between them.  When he struggles, she puts on the wings and pulls him back up.  And when she struggles, he does the same. 

4.  "Health to the Company" (traditional)- I felt like I needed something more rollicking on this playlist.  This song pops up in "Be Thou My Vision."  I like to imagine that when the past Dyelanders return for visits, they gather at the pub and after a bit, sing this song together.  Whether they meet again or not... at least they had fun.  Honestly, my use of it in the story was kinda ominous, though!  It leads into a prediction of something bad befalling Andrew.   Yikes. 

5.  "Carrighfergus" (traditional)- Really the only reference to this is that Andrew uses it as his ringtone for Monica.  But it's just one of the many Irish songs I'd listen to for inspiration.  The longing in so many of these songs really lent themselves to a soundtrack for pining anam caras.  Incidentally, we later learn that Arthur's ringtone for Monica is Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl."  I didn't include it here since it's such a quick reference but worth a listen!

6.  "The Fields of Athenry" by Pete St. John- Another one that only gets a brief reference but why, oh why, did I not reference this in "Nor Iron Bars"?!  Possibly I didn't know the song at the time.  I believe the first time I heard this was at a Renaissance Faire and I've been going to those off and on since I was about 15 so I don't recall if that would have been pre or post Dyeland stories.  Anyway, I'd be shocked if someone hasn't gotten a bit tipsy and sung this at either the Green Carnation or Cynefin. 

7.  "The Great Storm is Over" by Bob Franke- I first heard this song when the Black Brothers came to my high school to perform.  It was so much fun!  We step danced a bit and everything.  Anyway, I'm not sure how Irish this song is but since I first heard it performed live by an Irish family band, I'm putting it here.  Even though it's not a Christmas song, it closes out the story "Home for Christmas."   It's really due for a revisit what with JenniAnn's fear of storms.  It's also very Joshuan.  I should actually have him sing it as some point. 

8.  "The Lorica of St. Patrick"- So apparently the only reference to this is a brief one in "The Christmas Rose" that I can't even find.  But I'm putting this here just to represent the impact Celtic Christianity has on the stories in general.  Even the phrase "anam cara" wouldn't exist within the stories if not for Celtic Christianity.

9.  "Lightning Strike" by Snow Patrol- I love Snow Patrol and this is one of my favorite songs of theirs.  Snow Patrol is first referenced in "When You Are Real" but doesn't get quoted until "Make This Go On Forever."  But my favorite reference is this one in "Shadowlands."  Joshua cues up the "Daybreak" portion of the song and gets Andrew and JenniAnn to dance at the end of the story.  So quite a healing moment!  It's a pretty good vibe match for Andrew's and JenniAnn's whole relationship.  It shifts from drama and angst to peace and joy.

10.  "I Am Stretched on Your Grave" (traditional)- Blurg.  Heartbreaking.  I listened to this song repeatedly when writing the parts of "Origins" that follow Lor's death.  I *think* that was my first real experience of writing a "doomed by canon" character and it was rough!  I loved Lor.  Not like Cora loved him, of course.  More maternal.  Sadly, it ended up having additional relevance when I was able to visit John's grave.  To be very clear, I did NOT stretch myself out on it.  But I really thought I was going to be very calm and collected.  I was not.  I sobbed and for a long time I couldn't even look at the dress I was wearing that day even though I loved it.  It's back in my rotation now but for several years it was just sitting in a box in my basement.  So I can only imagine what it feels like to lose the love of your life when I went kinda off the rails over a celebrity crush who I didn't really know. 

11.  "Be Thou My Vision" composed by Dallan Forgaill, translated by Mary E. Byrne- This features in Cora's and Lor's wedding as well as lending its name to a story.  I just think it's really beautiful and, again, a nod to Celtic Christianity.

12.  "I'm Yours" by The Script- I really need to check back in with The Script.  I can remember they had kind of a big hit that got radio play around here but I can't even remember what song it was.  In any case, it prompted my mom to buy their CD and I fell in love with this song.  As I mentioned in the end notes of "Origins," if it was a movie then this would be the end credits song.  It reminds me so much of my beloved star-crossed Irish teenagers, Cora and Lor.  Ah, I'm pretty sure "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" was the song that really took off.  Yeah, it's also pretty great.

13.  "The Parting Glass" (traditional)- While it's originally Scottish, the versions I'm most familiar with are Irish.  The version from Waking Ned Devine is my funeral song and also JenniAnn's.  I just really love it.  Of course, it would be more fitting to me if it was "The Parting Cup (of tea)" but it's perfect how it is.  I love these lyrics:
"Since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all."

You will know I'm dead when this song plays at my funeral and I don't move.  Cause, as with track #15, I can't sit still when I hear this song.

14.  "The Color Green" by Rich Mullins- Rich Mullins' work is mentioned several times in the Dyeland stories... but not this song.  However, I'm putting it here cause of the lil Irish sounding piece in the middle and also because I used to mix CDs of songs that reminded me of Andrew/John and this was on one... cause of his green eyes.  But also I just legitimately think this is a beautiful hymn.  Celtic Christianity, to me, is very earthy and I think this song fits that.

15.  "Rocky Road to Dublin" by D.K.  Gavan- Okay, a bit of a cheat.  This isn't in any of the stories but there is no way on God's green earth or especially God's green Asteriana that horror movie loving Violeta and Shelby didn't have this blasting around Willowveil/Serendipity.  They probably even learned the dance and made Jacob or Liam or Max pretend to be Remmick.  And since Sinners is up for so many Oscars today, felt right to include it.  I just love how, in the movie, Ryan Coogler let his performers bring their cultures into the piece.  May we all be like that.  I'm so glad they recorded a full version of this and I desperately want the entire movie to be turned into a musical then tour so I can see it live.

These next songs (16-23) were all referenced in Kim's stories and thus I can't say a whole lot about their inclusion but they're great picks so I'm gonna list em.

16.  "Shipping Up to Boston" by Woody Guthrie and the Dropkick Murphys- Gave me an excuse to include the Dropkick Murphys who are doing their darnedest to help my country get back on track.

17.  "Waves of Tory" (traditional)

18.  "Soggy's/Waterboogie" by Beoga

19.  "Siege of Ennis" (traditional)

20.  "King of the Fairies (traditional)

21.  "Lord of the Dance" by Sydney Carter- I'm really surprised this isn't elsewhere in the stories cause I do love this hymn.  Originally English, the version I grew up singing in church felt very Irish-inflected. FWIW, my city is kinda heavily Irish Catholic so that may be why.

22.  "Never-Ending Road" aka Amhrán Duit by Loreena McKennitt- I know I've referenced Loreena McKennitt's work but not necessarily Irish songs so glad to have a reason to include her!

23.  "The Mummers' Dance" by Loreena McKennitt- I can remember that this song took off!  And it's how I learned about Loreena.  Big fan ever since! 

24.  "Gartan Mother's Lullaby" by Herbert Hughes and Seosamh Mac Cathmhaoil- I'm surprised this isn't in "Promises of Someday."  I first heard a version recorded by Meryl Streep on the "For Our Children" album that my mom bought for me.  I originally had it as a cassette and adored it.  I see I pulled a couple other songs from it into "Promises" but "Gartan" didn't surface until "Shadowlands" where we have a heart-wrenching scene of Shelby singing it to an unconscious JenniAnn while Andrew remembers JenniAnn singing it to little Shel.  I think it's so beautiful and it's one of the reasons I re-bought the album on CD as an adult.  Sadly, I can't find the Meryl Streep version to include her but it might be on YouTube.

25.  "Our Father" from A Man of No Importance- I first saw this musical in a little black box theatre that I adored.  It was basically my church for a couple years in college and loose inspiration for St. G's... though St. G's is much larger.  I adored this song in particular though the entire piece is a beautiful and rare work that explores how being queer and being Christian can collide.  Incidentally, it's also where I learned about Oscar Wilde wearing a green carnation and thus the queer-friendly pub in the stories is named The Green Carnation.  Anyway, the piece itself involves the stage being split with one half being a dance at a pub and the other a Mass at a Catholic church.  And that feels right. 

26-27 are from Pia's stories so, again, not a lot to say but good songs!

26.  "Molly Malone" (traditional)

27.  "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" by James Royce Shannon- I did also reference this one in "The Test."  Honestly, if you asked random people to name an Irish song, I'd be surprised if a fair amount don't come up with this.  It's a lot newer than I thought, though!

28.  "Stars and Midnight Blue" by Enya- I totally forgot that this song was playing in the scene in "Believe" when Sy is trying to find a quiet spot to sneak Ivy away to give her a promise ring.  Aww.  So Andrew and JenniAnn aren't the only pair who find Enya music to be very romantic.

29.  "Star of the County Down" by Cathal McGarvey- Another one I first recall hearing at a Ren Faire.  In "Chrysalis," there's a cute scene where Joshua goes to pick Isolde and Marco up from the airport and jokingly offers the radio or his own singing for the trip to the Chrysalis.  Missing that he was joking, Isolde chooses his singing and he treats them to this song in recognition of their Irish heritage.  Another one that if I'm not at least stomping my foot while it's on, I am dead.

30.  "Raglan Road" by Patrick Kavanagh- This is a song that I think has been part of the stories for a whole lot longer than it canonically has.  It doesn't get references until "God in the Gloom" when Andrew gets emotional pondering these lyrics:
"That I had loved, not as I should,
 a creature made of clay.
 When the angel woos the clay,
 he'll lose his wings at dawn of day."

He realizes that while JenniAnn has made him a better angel, she's also made him vulnerable.  She destroyed his illusion of himself as a friendly loner.  Without her, he feels halved.  I think it's one of those songs that I likely put on a mixed inspiration CD/playlist years ago and so it's long been an Andrew/JenniAnn song for me but it didn't get referenced for a good while.

31.  "From Eden" by Hozier- Finally we get to Hozier!  While I always thought of this song as kinda romantic, now I hear it as a Crowley and Joshua song.  I mean these lyrics...
"Honey, you're familiar like my mirror years ago.
 Idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on his sword.
 Innocence died screaming, honey, ask me, I should know.
 I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door."

I just love the idea of a pre-incarnate Yeshua letting then-angel Crowley hear this song, knowing the context in which Crowley will eventually think of it again... after Yeshua has died screaming and the serpent Crowley is left to sit outside the door of his tomb.  And just the idea that Crowley does see Yeshua when he looks in the mirror cause of their eyes.  Goosebumps!  Thanks to Hozier for providing me with one of my favorite musical moments in the stories. 

32.  "Sunlight" by Hozier- Unsurprisingly, he appears twice on the soundtrack for "The Lost Sheep."  He just goes well with Ed's and Steve's vibe.  This song reminds me of Ed in particular.  He spent so long in darkness and, upon meeting Steve, begins his journey back into the light.

33.  "Like Real People Do" by Hozier- Once I hit the Hozier songs, I hit them hard, I guess.  Ed and Steve are very fond of this song.  Lars sang it to them while Steve was recovering and then he and Baptiste perform it again for the couple at their second anniversary party.  They kiss and dance and it's all very sweet.  That story is still one of my favorite writing experiences.  Just something about it.  I felt kinda transported.

34.  "Orinoco Flow" by Enya- Her biggest hit, I believe.  Well, at least before the Lord of the Rings song.  Anyway, in "Older Than the Hills" we learn a younger Andrew and JenniAnn were fond of this one.  It doesn't seem to be in their current rotation which Andrew is grateful for since it does still get some play and he doesn't want to get halo-y at an inopportune time.  But I can totally imagine mid-aughts Andrew and JenniAnn blasting this while prepping the ballroom for some get-together or another and wanting to sail away with each other. 

35.  "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison- And now I'm going back to the ones I accidentally skipped over.  Monica and Arthur dance to this in "The King."  I totally forgot about this scene.  Joshua encourages them to dance which is adorable.  I think maybe it's the wrap party?  In any case, it's as Joshua is wrapping things up prior to his departure... which at the time seemed more significant cause I didn't necessarily think he'd be back really frequently.  But then I realized I kinda needed him around.  Anyway, a sweet scene!

36.  "Make This Go On Forever" by Snow Patrol- How did I mention this song yet skip it?  Anyway...  This scores Sarah's death scene in, appropriately enough, "Make This Go On Forever."  The song actually inspired the story.  Anyway, as I wrote at the time: "I'd place it during Sarah's death bed scene with the 'Please just save me from this darkness' part starting up as the room begins to empty out until only Josef is left."  So sad... but that's Snow Patrol.

And let's see...  I feel like I need to close on something that hasn't yet featured in a story but is likely to in the future.  Hmm...

37.  "She Moved Through the Fair" (traditional)- I began with Van Morrison and I'll end with his recording of this.  I think this song will come to haunt Andrew.  (Hey, at least I'm showing some restraint in not trotting out "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" here.)

38.  "Garden Rules" by Snow Patrol- Okay, one that's less depressing to end on for real!  I think this song is so sweet and nostalgic.  I think I'll use it at some point for a couple of the Friends' kids who end up together. 

And now... Good night and joy be to you all!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for inspiring these stories that gave me the opportunity to get in touch with the music of my heritage. 

JABB Portal
JABB TOC
JABB 724
(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page are from Touched by an Angel and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions.  They are not being used to seek profit.)

Web page background and dividers courtesy of www.aon-celtic.com.