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Song: I Loved a Lass

from Down the Lane by Floating Crowbar

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    DOWN THE LANE (2019)
    In making this recording, we decided to prioritize trying to capture the energy we aim for when we play live. It is a studio recording, but the basic tracks of all the instrumental selections were done playing together in the same room, without separation, without headphones, just rolling the tape (or whatever the digital equivalent is) and playing. We generally did three or four takes of each set of tunes and then picked the best. Other instruments, such as bodhrán or pipes, were added to the mix after we did the base recording. Recording the songs is a somewhat different process, as the vocals need to be recorded separately from the instruments. Certain “bits of tarnish” were left for the sake of honesty, as that was the best take we could get. We think the result captures the energy of our group dynamic, and sounds like us on a good night. We hope you enjoy it!

    Below, you’ll find short excerpts from each piece, along with credits and notes about the tunes and songs. For dancers, we have included the tempo (beats per minute) after each of the instrumental tracks.

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about

This sad tale of unrequited love is Scottish in origin and was first published in a song collection in 1670, and could be much older.

James heard Ewan McColl’s version in the early 1990s and has wanted to sing it ever since, but the right moment didn’t present itself until now. When he first brought it to the lads, Rick was all for it (he and James have a passion for dark songs), but Morgan and Don thought it bordered on, well, the melodramatic. And it does, being one of those “if I can’t have my love, I’ll just go to sea/die/join the King’s army” kind of ballads. But the imagery of ships in the forest is stunning and unexpected, and makes up for the self-pity of the unrequited lover.

lyrics

I loved a lass and I loved her so well
That I hated all others who spoke of her ill.
But now for my love she’s rewarded me well ,
She’s gone to be wed to another.

When I saw my young love to the church go
And with groom and bridemaidens she made a fine show.
I followed behind with my heart full of woe
For soon she’d be wed to another.

When I saw my young love sit down to dine.
I came up beside her and poured her some wine.
And I drank to that lassie who should have been mine,
But now she is wed to another.

Now the men of the forest they ask it of me,
“How many strawberries grow in the salt sea?”
I answered them with a tear in my eye,
“How many ships sail in the forest?”

Now go dig me a grave, and dig it so deep
And cover me over with flowers so sweet.
And lay me down for to take a long sleep,
And maybe in time I’ll forget her.

So we dug him a grave, and dug it so deep
And covered him over with flowers so sweet.
And we laid him down for to take a long sleep,
And maybe by now he’s forgot her.

credits

from Down the Lane, released July 1, 2019
James: flute, vocals – Morgan: viola, fiddle – Don: mandolin – Rick: guitar, background vocals

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Floating Crowbar Spokane, Washington

Floating Crowbar plays a high energy mix of Irish instrumental music and songs drawn from traditional and contemporary sources. Coming from a wide variety of backgrounds and musical interests, they bring together their common passion for Irish music, good humor, mutual respect and friendship into a show that will be enjoyed by any Celtic music fan. ... more

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