Thursday, June 7, 2012

The Irish Lords and Drinking Songs

I remember being asked when I was a kid what my favorite kind of music was and enthusiastically answering, "Irish drinking songs!"  This was met with an immediate burst of laughter from a group of adults within ear shot and blank looks from the kids.  It was obviously not one of the options on this standard multiple choice question, but I didn't know any better - and I really did (and still do) love Irish drinking songs, so suck it meanies.

My Dad used to be a rugby player and I had the privilege of attending the best and rowdiest parties of my life at Alice's Champagne Palace and The Waterfront Bar in Homer as a tot.   My brother and I were masters of the keg - we took our job of pouring beer and pumping CO2 for the rugby players seriously.  As soon as the singing started so would the pantless beer drinking from toilet plungers competition, kissing the Hawaiian shirt clad Irish Lord mascot, naked breasts flaunting, bottle smashing and fist fights - and that's why my mom kept to a fast rule - as soon as the singing started it was time to go home.

Whiskey or the devil, your leading my astray!  the Irish Lords would roar in drunken unison and we'd bee line it for mama, a little bummed to be missing out on the party.  Smart mama I realize in hindsight. 

As I was working in the vegetable garden this afternoon I heard myself humming Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers song:

Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow.  All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground.



 Funny how tending to a garden can lead to fond cob webbed memories. 



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