Quigsy & the Bird’s repertoire of Irish songs include a wide range of songs, mostly about death and drinking:
I’ll Tell Me Ma. This is a children’s song from the 19th century, probably originating in England (sorry), but is extremely popular in Ireland and has been recorded by almost all traditional and popular Irish bands and singers.
Black Velvet Ba
Mari-Mac. This one is actually a Scottish Song. It’s a tongue-twisting song meant to be sung faster and faster as the song progresses. It’s one of several show-off songs that are typical to pub singers.
All For Me Grog. A sea chanty that Quigsy & the Bird sing a capella with a little bodhran percussion. It’s a typical 19th century sailor’s work song. Like the others, there are many different versions of this song.
Rattlin’ Bog. Another show-off song, this one is a cumulative song where each verse adds another element to the chorus.
Excursion Around the Bay. A humorous sea chanty, sung a capella, sung by a man about his wife who died of sea sickness during a simple sight-seeing excursion.
Morning Glory, and Rambles of Spring. These are 2 popular folk songs written by the legendary Tommy Makem during the 1950’s. Tommy Makem was instrumental in introducing Irish folk music back into American during the great folk revival of the 1950’s-60’s.
The Star of the County Down. A 19th century Irish ballad written by Cathal McGarvey.
The Unicorn. This song, with lyrics by Shel Silverstein, was popularized by the Irish Rovers in 1967, when it reached #7 on the popular music charts. It is a mandatory entry to the repertoire of the Irish Pub musician, even though there is nothing about it that is Irish. It is usually sung with the audience performing choreography of alligators, elephants, monekys and geese.
Gypsy Rover. Also known as “The Whistling Gypsy” is a song popular with the folk groups of the 1950’s such as the Highwaymen and the Kingston Trio. It’s an adaptation of the old English/Irish tradition of gypsy songs where a wife/daughter is stolen away by the young, virile gypsy.
Whiskey in the Jar. A traditional Irish song of southwest (Cork) Ireland. It’s usually sung with s special clapping pattern (like The Wild Rover) of 4 claps, then 2 claps, then a single loud clap during the chorus. It’s also the only Irish folk song ever recorded by Metallica.
The Night the Paddy Murphy Died. This is a drinking song written iby Newfoundlander Johny Burke in the 19th century that has worked its way over to Ireland. It was a popular vaudeville song at the turn of the 20th century and has been revived by several groups, notably Great Big Sea, over the past 10 years.
The Wild Rover. The only temperance song in the Quigsy & the Bird repertoire, it’s probably an 18th century Scottish Ballad that has evolved substantially from a Prodigal Son style story to a song used in rugby and hurling drinking songs. It is one of the most popular of Irish folk songs and utilizes a stylized clapping for the chorus.