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traditional - Rare Auld Mountain Dew​/​Chief O'Neil's Cavalry March

from The Craic is Free by James Olin Oden

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about

This one the many moonshiny tunes of Ireland, which gives great claims as to the potency and efficacy of Poteen (pronounced P’cheen, and is the Irish word for moonshine). Over the years as I sang it, it morphed into a more Southern tune. I think we hold similar values here, so it works. As, an aside, the best bluegrass I have ever heard came from a bluegrass session in Donegal, so it goes both ways.

The tune at the end is “Chief O’Neil’s Cavalry March”. You’ll find that same tune on the end of the song “Donald McGillavry” on Silly Wizard’s “Live Wizardry” album. When I was in Killarney at O’Connor’s Pub, I personally heard an uillean piper play it (I believe his first name was Henry). He had such a grand style of playing, I call him the King of the Pipers. I loved the tune so much I went home and learned it.

lyrics

(Chorus)
Let the grasses grow and the waters flow in a free and easy way,
But give me enough of the rare auld stuff that's made near Galway Bay,
And policeman all from Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim too,
We'll give them the slip, and we'll take a sip of the rare auld mountain dew.

There's a neat little still at the foot of the hill, where the smoke curls up to the sky,
By a whiff of the smell, you can plainly tell, there's poteen boys nearby,
And it fills the air with a perfume rare, and betwixt both me and you,
As home we stroll we can take a bowl of the rare auld mountain dew.

(Chorus)
Now learned men as use the pen have writ thy praises high,
Of the sweet poteen, from Ireland green, distilled with wheat and rye,
Away with yer pills, it will cure all ills, be you pagan, christian or jew,
So take off your coat and grease your throat with the rare auld mountain dew.

(Chorus)

credits

from The Craic is Free, released May 26, 2013
Guitar, Vocals, Chieftain D Whistle, Bodhran, Bones - James Olin Oden
Vocals - Jeffro
Double Bass - David Pitts
Uillean Pipes - Eric Hahn

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James Olin Oden Raleigh, North Carolina

It's always been about what moves the heart. The songs I sing are compelling stories whose telling must be told over and over again. The stories range from dark acts that should not be forgotten to the silly revelries that we should never forsake. My hope is that as my heart is moved by the music so too may yours be moved.

Sláinte Mhór...James

Licks and Lyrics Interview on WCOM 103.5: http://t ... more

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