A Noteworthy Concert

Susan McKeown is arguably the most talented vocalist working today. I had the good fortune to see her perform at the Kilkenny Arts Festival on Sunday night. Years ago, I arranged a concert and fundraiser at which Susan performed, at the International House in NYC. While she is widely known for her reinterpretations of traditional Irish music, Susan has that rare ability to sing anything… from alt-rock to klezmer to sean nós (traditional Irish music sung a capella). The joy she emanates while singing is something I have seen unparalleled from any other performer to date. It was wonderful to speak with her after her gig. Surprised to see me in Ireland, we talked briefly about the work for the Reepmeyer Award, and her new album Singing in the Dark.

Almost ten years ago, Susan released a mesmerizing album called Prophecy. It contains alt-rock songs with Irish underpinnings. One standout song, River, is a “hope song” for Ireland. It expresses hope that the Troubles that have divided Ireland will soon be a thing of the past. As she has said, and I paraphrase, the rivers of the island have run red with the blood of her people. (Geography teachers take note!) The names of a number of Ireland’s rivers make up the chorus: the Rivers Liffey, Slaney, Barrow, Nore, Suir, Blackwater, Banderlee, Shannon, Foyle, and Erne. (Full lyrics are below.)

I recommend checking out the album for a terrific way to learn more about contemporary Irish music, and other creative music! There’s a link on the blog.

River by Susan McKeown

Bathe me in the waters of the Lagan of the Boyne
Of the Liffey of the Slaney, of the Barrow, Nore and Suir
Of the Blackwater, the Bann, the Lee, the Shannon, Foyle and Erne
Bathe me in the waters

O bless the water that flows from the fields
Into the sea that surrounds our little island of green
Hope is a river that flows from these stone walls
Into an ocean we have never seen

Hope is a dress that my mother once wore
A fiddle tune I heard that has no words
Hope is the one thing we have never lost
Though we are tired from the old war

Same anger in our hearts, same desolation and loss
Why are we divided
Bind us in friendship so rage will never rise again
In fair Eire between friends