The Unpacked Bog
It was recently my birthday (I am a proud Aquarius, but we shall discuss that another time)
In honor of my birthday, Chana took me to a traditional Irish music concert by the band Nabac.
The best way I can explain my relationship with Irish music is that I hear it and wish to join in its travels; to ride the sound of the flutes and whistles and the fiddle and pipes to the enchanted places towards where they are headed.
Chana and I spent roughly a month in Ireland, and had a magical time, indeed. The air is piercing and crisp, the people friendly and real. And music is less a performing art than a shared pastime.
(In Irish folklore, heroes were not only strong and beautiful, but composed and played the best music, too. Kind of like King David, I guess. In fact, to be accepted to the legendary Irish army, The Fianna, one had, among the daring physical feats, to learn to recite lines of poetry, as well).
We feel very fortunate to have spent time in Ireland and hope one day to return.
But Ireland can do a much better job of explaining itself than can I, so here is some Ireland with which to unpack the week, and through which Chana and I may continue to unpack our visit there.
First, a soundrack: Clicking here will open Nabac’s MySpace page in a separate window, from where you can listen to some of their music.
And below is a list of Irish proverbs, blessings and wisdoms to brighten the day.
As a by-the-way: We bought a beautiful wooden Irish flute in Galway. I am trying to learn to play it, but don’t practice enough. I would love a comment now and then of “Yannai, did you practice your flute today?” I thank you in advance for your help. You especially, Imma.
Cheers!
“Time is a great story teller.”
“God is good, but never dance in a small boat.”
“It is no time to go to the doctor when the patient is dead.”
“Pity him who makes his opinions a certainty”
“You can take a man out of the bog, but you can’t take the bog out of the man.”
“A shamefaced man seldom acquires wealth.”
“If you don’t know the way, walk slowly.”
“A friend’s eye is a good mirror.”
“Trouble hates nothing as much as a smile”
“A silent mouth is melodious.”
“A good retreat is better than a bad stand.”
“May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, heaven to hear you.”
“May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and the rain fall softly on your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”
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February 5th, 2008 at 3:56 am
You have no idea how much I enjoy reading your blogs! Even when I have plenty to do and musts and shoulds abound! tomorrow to the YES, WE CAN! OBAMA finali in CA! Love, Judy
February 5th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hey yannai. Chana subscribed me to your blog and I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts (especially the one about the kitchen knife) much love to you and chana!
Adam
February 5th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Yannai, did you practice your flute today?
February 5th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Great discovery of new music! Thanks.
And, let’s see, my favorites right now are:
“God is good, but never dance in a small boat.”
“If you don’t know the way, walk slowly.”
…smiling all by myself…
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Hello Guru, I fell blessed that I found your post while searching for irish music. I agree with you on the subject The Unpacked Bog. I was just thinking about this matter last Monday.