It's New Years Eve. I've wanted to record "Auld Lang Syne" for years now. It's just a beautiful song. As I was napping today, I finally came up with a solo arrangement for this classic song by Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland.

"Auld Lang Syne"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: Folk Music with Delusions of Grandeur
Read Lyrics: "Auld Lang Syne" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
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Find out more about the MarcSongs Podcast.

Long time readers of my blog know that I've had a LOT of sinus and other "breathing problems" over the years. However, I received an article today and continue to receive allergy advice that, while I appreciate, is no longer relevant. So I thought I'd share.

Back in mid- to late-90s, I was diagnosed as an asthmatic. I was having a lot of trouble breathing. I had perpetual allergy problems, horrible sinus drainage, and got a sinus infection at the drop of the hat. I still am prone to getting sick. However, I have learned a lot since then as to the reason I was getting sick.

Yes. I had a deviated septum. It was corrected in the early 2000s. Yes, I took allergy shots, which I feel helped me a lot with allergy problems in general. But those really had little to do with my ultimate problem. That was determined when I finally quit my day job and got some sleep.

Yes, sleep deficiency. I don't sleep well at night and back in the 90s I worked all the time. I took my inhalers and every drug under the sun to "cure" my problems, but none of it really helped. When I started the Bards, I got even less sleep, working late at home, then flying out on weekends and having no sleep Monday morning. I started to get sick.

I think the sickness just exacerbated my problems. My lungs "learned" that sitting in front of a computer 15 hours a day was bad for them. And it made it easier for them to stay sick and have problems. So now when I've been in front of the computer too long, I go for long walks or go to Yoga.

Yoga in particular has been really great because it requires me to stretch those chest and back muscles that get used to slumping in front of a computer. As soon as I do 15 minutes of that my coughing stops, and I feel better. Add to that a good, long night's sleep and I typically don't have many problems.

Yes, the drainage is always there. Yes, I occasionally have allergy problems especially during Cedar fever months. And no, I can't go running without major shortness of breath, but for the most part most of my breathing problems are gone. And I breathe happier.

I wrote this poem in 2003 after another blissful year as the late, great Excalibur Fantasy Faire came to a close. I released in my poetry book, Bella Fillioct, and my friend Lorella Loftus liked it so much, she asked that we do a recording. When the Renaissance Festival Podcast began, I thought it would make a wonderful ending to the show and so it was. Now it's finally on a new compilation CD of Renaissance festival music released through my podcast.

"The Faire Is Over"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn with Lorella Loftus
From: Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation
Read Lyrics: "The Faire Is Over" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License.
Find out more about the MarcSongs Podcast.

The new Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation CD is now here. This new faire compilation features 23 tracks of great Renaissance festival music and entertainment courtesy of the Renaissance Festival Podcast.

You may not have a copy in time for Christmas, but it's the best way to celebrate Renaissance festivals all-year long!

Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions that are all of its own. Many of these customs have their root in the time when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country were being supressed and it is perhaps because of that they have survived into modern times.

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practised today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it was a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter.

The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed.

A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name 'Mary'.

THE LADEN TABLE

After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveller, could avail of the welcome.

THE WREN BOY PROCESSION

During Penal Times there was once a plot in a village against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as 'The Devil's bird'.

On St. Stephens day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole.

This custom has to a large degree disappeared but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephens Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas.

DECORATIONS:

The placing of a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas time and which gave the poor ample means with which to decorate their dwellings.

All decorations are traditionally taken down on Little Christmas (January 6th.) and it is considered to be bad luck to take them down beforehand.

TRADITIONAL GAELIC SALUTATION

The Gaelic greeting for 'Merry Christmas' is:
'Nollaig Shona Duit'
......which is pronounced as 'null-ig hun-a dit'.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

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(C) Copyright The Information about Ireland Site, 2000
The Leader in Free Resources from Ireland
Free Irish coats of arms, screensavers, maps and more http://www.ireland-information.com

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And if you're looking for additional Celtic Christmas music, check out Christmas in Brobdingnag by the Brobdingnagian Bards or if you like Irish drinking songs, check out their CD The Holy Grail of Irish Drinking Songs or Marc Gunn's Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. Check out the Scottish Christmas traditions too.

The show last night at Pub Dudelsack went remarkably well, all things considered. My mom and I drove Rudesheim to play in this small "Scotish" pub. The bartenders were in kilts. None spoke English. So it made for some interesting communication as I tried to make my gig happen.

Thirty minutes before the show, a guy came in carrying sound gear. W00t! Sound equipment. Which means my autoharp wouldn't get drowned out. Unfortunately, there was no mic for the voice, so 30 minutes into the show and I sounded like a dirty old Irishman with gravely vocals.

It's weird playing in Germany. Again, there seemed little interest in the music, except by a few people. And more appeared right before I started packing up. My mom says folks down the bar enjoyed it and were tapping toes and dancing now and again. The bartender even seemed interested in having me back, even though I felt like it was a flop. That's why I rarely trust my own intuition regarding how well a show went. Course, I won't be able to go back until June at the earliest IF that. But it's flattering that he was interested.

Outside of that, the pub was nice. The people seemed friendly. And I had fun playing for myself. But then, that's kinda the typical pub experience. So for that it was kinda cool.

A lot of people asked about recordings from my excursion to an Irish pub in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland last summer. I led twenty friends into a sing-a-long of Irish songs to a raucous evening. I grabbed a dozen of those tracks and put them together as an MP3 album on Soundclick.

"Soul of a Harper (Live)"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: 4 Drunk's Sake: Live from an Irish Pub
Read Lyrics: "Soul of a Harper (Live)" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
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Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License

I love giving away free MP3s. And what is more beautiful than giving away MP3 Love songs when you have a new CD? "A Tribute to Love" is officially available in February 2008. But that doesn't mean I can't give away free Love MP3s now!

So that's what I am doing. You can try out the album now. There are four, free, full-length love MP3s that you can now download from the album. Try it out. This isn't your typical love songs CD. It's a journey through love and romance, the hills and valleys. You really have to just experience it.

Download the Love Songs right now, then find out more about "A Tribute to Love"!

You can also read the lyrics.

• Silhouette of Longing Love
• The Gosling Reborn
• Another Lonely Night
• Star of the County Down

Christmas is almost here. Heck! I don't know if you can get these in time, but I do know CD Baby is amazing at shipping, and well, everything they do. So here's a few last-minute Celtic Christmas CDs and other Celtic CDs for the holidays that I'm sure people will love.

Celtic Christmas Music CDs

See more Celtic Christmas Music CDs.

New Celtic Music CDs

Search for Tons of Great Celtic Music CDs.

The Celtic Christmas special of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is now up.

From Nikki:

• I would like to announce that the Bards Comic book#2: Let Sleeping Fairy Tales Lie is now available in my Lulu shop here: http://www.lulu.com/content/1476643

She has a lot of art on sale too.

Even though I'm in Germany doesn't mean I haven't done a bunch of work. Mind you, I haven't done my durn podcasts. GOT to do that tomorrow. But I did make a few updates on some websites, including some Celtic wedding websites. I also added new lyrics to my Irish Songs & Lyrics website. That's something I don't do enough of. So glad to get a few updates done. W00T!

Alrighty, I think I'm all packed and ready to go... or as ready as I'll ever be. I finally found a way to pack my recording gear. Not sure it's the best way to do it, but I'll hope the airline doesn't just toss the duffle around. Handle with care, please. Ok. Took out that sensitive mic, just in case. That's prolly better.

Wild! I just got a call interviewing me about my cat drinking songs CD. Oh and I updated the website a wee bit last week. The gift that keeps on giving. Did I mention I hope to start recording the next CD in February?

Germany Gigs! Yes, I do have two lined up. One is a Christmas gig. Not sure yet if this is a private gig or not. Getting details is NOT easy. Next time, remind me to get some German to book gigs in Germany.

Here's what I know so far:

Dec 18, Christmas party is in Hattenheim, Weingut Georg-Mueller-Stiftung
Dec 20, Pub Gig in Dudelsack, Rüdesheim

As soon as I have further details, I'll let you know.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Well with all the strings I break, especially at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival this year. I must've gone through 20-30 strings. So when I met a woman at MiddleFaire who could take one string and convert them into a Celtic knot, I knew I had to make more of these.

So the question is open. Would you be interested in an Celtic Knot Autoharp String Pendant?

If so, how much would you be willing to pay?

Unfortunately, the cost to make is not cheap. So I need to see if this worth while.

The name Gunn is thought to be Norse in origin, the clan claiming descent from Gunni, grandson of Sweyn Asleifsson, "the Ultimate Viking" and second son of Olaf the Black, Norse King of Man and the Isles who died in 1237.

Noted for their war-like and ferocious character, they were sworn enemies of the Keiths and in 1426 at Harpsdale, south of Thurso, a particularly bloody but indecisive battle took place, after which the Gunns settled mainly in Sutherland. George Gunn held the office of Coroner of Caithness, known as "Crowner Gunn", he was one of the greatest men in the country at that time and lived in magnificent style in his castle at Clyth. He was killed through treachery in 1464 while trying to arrange a reconciliation with Clan Keith. His death was later avenged by his grandson who killed Keith of Ackergill, his son and twelve followers at Drummoy.

Feuds continued between the Gunns and the Mackays and the Earls of Caithness amd Sutherland. In 1585 the Earls attacked the Gunns who although fewer in number held their ground and slew 140 of their enemies. Only darkness prevented greater slaughter. However, the Gunns were later defeated at Lochbroom by the Earl of Sutherland. At the time of the Highland clearances in Sutherland, many of the Gunn clan were forced to emigrate to New Zealand and Canada.

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You can find out even more about Clan Gunn through the Clan Gunn Society of North America.

Not too long ago a band called Redhill Rats submitted music to my Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I loved their style so I played "My Father Was a Werewolf" in the show. A listener, authoress and fan of Harry Potter, named Peg Kerr, loved the song too. So much so that she filked it. I loved her filk so much that I recorded it. It tells the story of Teddy Lupin, son of Tonks and Remus Lupin, the werewolf.

"My Father Was a Werewolf"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: n/a
Read Lyrics: "My Father Was a Werewolf" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 320 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License

My friend Jack, who you may know as "Captain Black Jack" Murphy just released his new CD "Pogue Mahone Means Kiss My Arse". The CD is now on iTunes. His album was released on my label, Mage Records.

I was not raised on Celtic music. I heard a little bit of bagpipes growing up when my dad took me to some Highland Games like those at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. But that was about it.

When I was a kid, my dad's recreation involved playing folk music in the folk scene of Maryland. It involved a little bit of bluegrass and a lot of folk. He played the autoharp, mountain dulcimer, and other folk instruments, but the banjo is what I remember him playing the most. There were a lot of great songs from the 60s, 70s, and much, much older. I still have one of the song books he compiled.

I mention it, because yesterday, I was supposed to be working on my Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Instead, I fumbled around on the net, and at the end of the day, I went for a walk with my autoharp. I started writing.

It's kinda funny how I write sometimes. I start strumming. And then just let words flow from my mouth. Then I grab my recorder and start recording. But yesterday, something special emerged.

Yesterday, a chorus came to me inspired by Lil' Bit, a cat who lives at the Haeuser Hotel. I spurted lyrics. And inspired by the hostess of the house, I put a bluesy twist to the song. And the lyrics exploded forth. Voila'! A new song!

After making a rough recording to remember the song for later recording, I started looking at other music in a similar vein, and my folk heritage re-emerged. I think that's what I will record when I get to Germany.

Which is kinda funny now that I think about. Heidelberg, Germany was the first place I every busked. And what did I play when I was there? American folk songs.

It's like I've been rediscovering my musical heritage. And it makes me happy. Maybe eventually, I'll talk my dad into recording on an album with me.

I just got word that my friend Jack Murphy just released his CD, "Pogue Mahone Means Kiss My Arse". It's a fun CD. A bit bawdy in places, but a lot of fun. And I helped him out a wee bit on the recording.

Craig of Farrington now has a couple new CDs on CD Baby as well. Craig plays bawdy and romantic songs on the lute.

Cats. I love 'em. I love them so much that I decided to record a CD, Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, and an Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion CD as well. But the questions from fans (and my cats) kept coming, "When are you gonna record ANOTHER cat parody CD?"

Over the past couple of years, I've been writing and collecting songs. I finally looked and I have enough songs to fill a CD. So I decided it is at last time to start recording the next CD--MORE Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers.

My goal is to start recording in January and February, starting with another CD (and maybe vinyl) single What Do You Do With a Catnipped Kitty. I still need to find a producer for the album though. Ari Koinuma is moving and won't be able to produce the new album. But I have two new people in mind to produce the new album. I just need to talk to them about the project.

In the meantime, the album will cost $8-10,000 to create. Oy! And I don't have that kind of mullah. So once again, I am looking for sponsors to help me record and release the album. I put together several Sponsorship Packages for anyone interested in helping. The Personal Cat Sponsorship Packages include lots of CDs, t-shirts and even wooden mugs. The Cat Business Sponsorship Packages will allow you to pre-order copies of the CD AND promote your business on the website and on the CD itself.

My expected release of the More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers is Fall 2008. You can help me get this new ball of string rolling, please Adopt the CD Now!

I've been on a writing binge this Fall, especially of instrumental autoharp music. I love the sound the autoharp creates. It's very unique and I've heard no one experiment with effects. When I wrote this, my goal was to create a musical landscape to express my mood at the time. It was only late that I allowed my fans to listen and name the tune. My hope is to release an instrumental CD in early 2008. Hopefully, I'm getting close to finishing the album.

"Of Twilight Shores and Heroes' Death"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: Autoharp Instrumentals
Read Lyrics: "Of Twilight Shores and Heroes' Death" FAQ

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License

I just got word that "A Tribute to Love" is now available on iTunes. If you were one of the folks who got a preview copy, could you please post a review on iTunes? Thank you!

From the Celtic History Newsletter:

Just a few miscellaneous tidbits on holiday traditions.

Christmas Eve was often seen as a good time for divination. One tradition was to have every unmarried person present break an egg and drop the contents into a glass, the shape that the white of the egg formed was interpreted to indicate the occupation of their future spouse. The eggs were then mixed with milk and oatmeal and baked as a cake, if the cake should break while it was baking it was a sign of bad luck.

The Cailleach Nollaigh, the Christmas Old Wife, or Yeel-Carlin are all names for a a symbol of cold and death. It was tree stump (preferably oak) that is cut by the head of the household and carved into the shape of an old woman. It was burned in the fire on Christmas Eve where it had to burn completely to ash so that death would bypass the house in the coming year.

The burning of rowan at Christmas was a sign of burning away mistrust and jealousy between family, friend or neighbors.

Yule Bread was an unleavened bread similar to a bannock. In some areas it was baked at specific times on Christmas Eve between noon and six, in some places, or in Banff during the 1800s it was cooked over the Yeel-Carlin between 8 and 9 pm. In some areas they were make one for
each member of the family, and the person who found a trinket baked into their Yule Bread would have good luck.

Yule Ale was was brewed specially for Yule and made from hops, root ginger and molassas.

Farmers sometimes went into the byre, or stable on Christmas Eve to read a chapter of the Bible behind their cattle and horses to protect them from harm in the coming year.

On Christmas Day the first person to open the door in the morning would prosper the most that year. A table or chair would then be placed in the doorway, covered with a clean cloth and set with cheese and bread, or bannock for visitors.

On the morning of Christmas in Uist the old men would ask the younger men to row their boats from the shore 707 strokes of their oars before casting their lines in to water. And fish that are caught are then given to the poor or elderly as a tribute to St. Peter, king of fishermen.

First Footing was a Christmas tradition as well as its better known aspect of Scottish New Year's traditions. The first person visiting the house that day must not come empty handed, but must carry bread, money and peat symbolizing plenty of food wealth and warmth for the household.

Animals were given a special breakfast on Christmas. A sheaf of corn and a sheaf of oats were hung on a rowan tree for the wild birds, and owners of cattle fed them from their own hands on Yule morning.

Yule-tide loaves were baked of leavened rye flour, or main bread was baked with an impression of Jesus or the Virgin. Richly seasoned oat bread was baked in some areas, and became a specialty of some bakers. When the Calvinists turned away from celebrating any holy days except for the Sabbath the baking of Yule Bread was banned in 1583 and bakers were told to turn in any superstitious customers who continued to ask them to supply it.

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Watch for updates to our appearance schedules to see us in person in the coming year:

The Celtic Croft Schedule of Events
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/events_list.html
&
MacGregor Historic Games Schedule of Events
http://historicgames.com/Appearances.html

Make sure you check out "How NOT to Wear a Great Kilt". And if you like Scottish music, check out the free "Real Men Wear Kilts" bumper stickers or Marc Gunn's solo CD Soul of a Harper. Or even better, check out the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast for a free downloadable radio show of Celtic music twice a month.

Another weekend of faire is done. I'm not sure what to think. On the one hand, just one more weekend to go. On the other, after this I'm off to Germany for a much needed break. Looks like gigs won't happen, so instead I'm thinking I'm gonna spend a lot of time recording. I have a couple more CD projects that I want to finish, and I think I can get those done easily enough and meet a few more of last years Resolutions.

I've been thinking more about moving. And I am set on moving next year. Not sure when or where, though I have a few places I'm considering. North and East of Austin is the general direction. Hopefully, I'll come to a solid decision by the beginning of the year. Then I'm gonna start packing up my stuff, cuz I have a LOT of junk to move. Not looking forward to all that. But I am looking forward to living some place new. I originally planned on moving in 1996. Obviously, I stuck around longer than I thought I would.

This week, I'm hoping to make a trip down to New Orleans. I need to figure out what I'm gonna do when I get there. Guess I'll wander a bit. Feel free to throw out suggestions. Eating will be one thing, that's for sure. :)

OH! And the deadline for the Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland deposit arrives tomorrow. So if you're thinking of joining us, get that in ASAP.