Music with Michael

MICHAEL: Hello and welcome to Ireland with Michael.

I'm Michael Londra and in this show, I get to tell you everything I love about my home country the best way I know how, through music.

Today, we've got a special episode just for Passport members.

We're going to bring you encore performances from some of my favorite musicians that we've had on the show.

These are all- new performances never seen before, so sit back and enjoy an all-music edition of Ireland with Michael.

♪ ♪ ANNOUNCER: Ireland with Michael is made possible by... ♪ ANNOUNCER: Whether traveling to Ireland for the first time, or just longing to return, there's plenty more information available at Ireland.com.

♪ ANNOUNCER: CIE Tours, sharing the magic of Ireland for 90 years.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Aer Lingus has been bringing people home since 1936.

If you are thinking about Ireland, Aer Lingus is ready when you are to take you home.

MICHAEL: When we started Ireland with Michael, I wanted to show off the beauty of my home country, but I also wanted to highlight the music and the musicians.

Nobody had done anything like that before, so we weren't really sure how we were going to get there.

The one thing I did know how to do though, was to perform, so we started with a concert at the National Opera House in my home town of Wexford.

As Ireland with Michael grew and evolved, we used some of the music from that show, but here's a song that you may not have heard before.

♪ ♪ I know that it's not quite all right ♪ ♪ When you turn out the light ♪ ♪ You're thinking of what you could say ♪ ♪ ♪ I know that you don't think it's fair ♪ ♪ When you're saying your prayers in your bed ♪ ♪ At the end of the day ♪ ♪ ♪ I know when they first set you down ♪ ♪ And your world turned around ♪ ♪ You couldn't believe them ♪ ♪ What was your universe ♪ ♪ Kick the ball till it burst ♪ ♪ Till you're hurting ♪ ♪ Until you're bleeding ♪ ♪ And Saint Christopher is the stronger man ♪ ♪ At the end of the day ♪ ♪ And his hopes are high and his eyes are true ♪ ♪ For those who are losing their way ♪ ♪ And with arms of gold to cover you ♪ ♪ On your way to the shore ♪ ♪ You will find me waiting there watching over ♪ ♪ ♪ I know that the time isn't right ♪ ♪ As you start out your life ♪ ♪ But it really, it had to be so ♪ ♪ ♪ I know that it's breaking your heart ♪ ♪ That they're breaking apart ♪ ♪ But you still have to know ♪ ♪ ♪ You'll see that it hurts them to fall ♪ ♪ And to them you are all ♪ ♪ You're the reason for living ♪ ♪ ♪ I know they are counting the cost ♪ ♪ But you shouldn't feel lost ♪ ♪ Well, not for the loving ♪ ♪ And Saint Christopher is the stronger man ♪ ♪ At the end of the day ♪ ♪ And his hopes are high and his eyes are true ♪ ♪ For those who are losing their way ♪ ♪ And with arms of gold to cover you ♪ ♪ On your way to the shore ♪ ♪ You will find me waiting there watching over ♪ ♪ Throw away the hurting that you're feeling ♪ ♪ Things will come around ♪ ♪ Oh, steal away the loss that left you reeling ♪ ♪ You're on sacred ground ♪ ♪ ♪ And Saint Christopher is the stronger man ♪ ♪ At the end of the day ♪ ♪ And his hopes are high and his eyes are true ♪ ♪ For those who are losing their way ♪ ♪ And with arms of gold to cover you ♪ ♪ On your way to the shore ♪ ♪ You will find me waiting there ♪ ♪ ♪ You will find me waiting there watching over ♪ ♪ I am waiting there, I'm watching over ♪ ♪ I am waiting there, I'm watching over ♪ ♪ I am waiting there, I'm watching over ♪ ♪ I am waiting there, I'm watching over ♪ ♪ (audience applauding and cheering) MICHAEL: Thanks very much!

(audience applauding and cheering) One for the Foxes is exactly the kind of Irish folk band that I wanted to feature and bring to American audiences.

They've a distinct sound that blends traditional Irish instruments like the fiddle and mandolin with contemporary indie song writing.

Their music is uplifting, thought provoking and if you ever get a chance to see them live, jump to it.

Here's One for the Foxes.

♪ ♪ I don't believe in ghosts and dreams ♪ ♪ These crooked little smiles ♪ ♪ Are tearing at their seams ♪ ♪ I throw it all away ♪ ♪ So, come the end of day ♪ ♪ I'll be on my way ♪ ♪ ♪ I don't know how to settle in ♪ ♪ They put cinnamon in everythin' ♪ ♪ And I don't feel the same ♪ ♪ As anyone I see ♪ ♪ You had the best of me ♪ ♪ But now there's nothin' left of me ♪ ♪ ♪ Well, you won't know until I go ♪ ♪ But I don't need you now ♪ ♪ So I will rise and take my leave ♪ ♪ I won't know you anymore ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Well, you gave me your word ♪ ♪ The likes I'd never heard to spill from your lips ♪ ♪ But now yours are on his ♪ ♪ How did it come to this ♪ ♪ Well, you won't know until I go ♪ ♪ But I don't need you now ♪ ♪ ♪ So I will rise and take my leave ♪ ♪ I won't know you anymore ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ It's better to have loved and lost ♪ ♪ That is what they say ♪ ♪ But what do they know ♪ ♪ 'Cause now it's time to go, go ♪ ♪ You won't know until I go ♪ ♪ But I don't need you now ♪ ♪ So I will rise and take my leave ♪ ♪ I won't know you anymore ♪ ♪ ♪ 'Cause I don't need you now ♪ ♪ So I will rise and take my leave ♪ ♪ I won't know you anymore ♪ ♪ Mm ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: When you first meet Tulua, the first that strikes you is just how young they are.

When I interviewed them, however, it quickly became apparent that their roots were in traditional Irish music albeit with a modern twist.

They also happen to come from my home county of Wexford where all the best Irish musicians come from.

No bias from me at all.

Here's Tulua.

♪ ♪ In this fading light, the mainland ♪ ♪ Lays vague out on the horizon ♪ ♪ A lighthouse beaming its welcome ♪ ♪ To Gross Isle and liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ For three months and a day, we've been sailing ♪ ♪ Around pinnacles of ice, we've been steering ♪ ♪ Storms and Nor'easters are raging ♪ ♪ To deliver us to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ We left all we know, to this new life, we'll go ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ ♪ Two pounds a head for the passage ♪ ♪ With ease, our landlord surrendered ♪ ♪ And wiped his hands clean as he tendered ♪ ♪ From a distance, he watched us all go ♪ ♪ We sailed on the fifth day of September ♪ ♪ 200 poor souls crammed together ♪ ♪ From our families and homeland, we're severed ♪ ♪ The clothes on our backs is all we own ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ We left all we know, to this new life, we'll go ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ We're bowed down in sickness and in hunger ♪ ♪ We pray for the hand of our maker ♪ ♪ My child was lost to a fever ♪ ♪ A quick prayer, then haul's gone overboard ♪ ♪ Oceans of tears, they are falling ♪ ♪ In hope and despair, both recalling ♪ ♪ Now the gulls of St. Lawrence ♪ ♪ They are calling ♪ ♪ Soon Quebec and liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ We left all we know, to this new life, we'll go ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ We left all we know, to this new life, we'll go ♪ ♪ Sailing to liberty's sweet shore ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Damien McGeehan and I have been touring together for years all over the world.

He performs and teaches a special fiddle style that originated in County Donegal.

Now, Donegal style is characterized by its unique bowing techniques, and Damien shows them off brilliantly here in the great hall at Castle Donegal.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: The word "Ceol" simply means "music" in Gaelic.

But there's nothing simple about the music of the band Ceol.

Matthew, Cathal, Daryl and James come from all over Ireland with the aim of bringing folk music to a new generation.

Here is Ceol.

♪ ♪ I was 18 when I came to town ♪ ♪ They call it the Summer of Love ♪ ♪ Burning babies, burning flags ♪ ♪ The hawks against the doves ♪ ♪ And I took a job in the steamie ♪ ♪ Way down on Cauldrum Street ♪ ♪ I fell in love with a laundry girl ♪ ♪ Who was working next to me ♪ ♪ She was a rare thing ♪ ♪ As fine as a bee's wing ♪ ♪ So fine, a breath of wind might blow her away ♪ ♪ She was a lost child ♪ ♪ She was running wild ♪ ♪ She said ♪ ♪ So long as there's no price on love, I'll stay ♪ ♪ You wouldn't want me any other way ♪ ♪ ♪ We busked around the market towns ♪ ♪ Fruit picking down in Kent ♪ ♪ We could tinker pots and pans ♪ ♪ And knives wherever we went ♪ ♪ And I said to her, we'll settle down ♪ ♪ And get a few acres dug ♪ ♪ Fire burning in the hearth ♪ ♪ And babies on the rug ♪ ♪ She said ♪ ♪ Oh, man, you foolish man ♪ ♪ It surely sounds like hell ♪ ♪ You might be lord of half the world ♪ ♪ You'll not own me as well ♪ ♪ She was a rare thing ♪ ♪ As fine as a bee's wing ♪ ♪ So fine, a breath of wind might blow her away ♪ ♪ She was a lost child ♪ ♪ She was running wild ♪ ♪ She said ♪ ♪ So long as there's no price on love, I'll stay ♪ ♪ You wouldn't want me any other way ♪ ♪ We were camping down the Gower one time ♪ ♪ And the work was mighty good ♪ ♪ She wouldn't wait for the harvest ♪ ♪ I thought we should ♪ ♪ We were drinking more in those days ♪ ♪ And tempers reached a pitch ♪ ♪ Like a fool, I let her run away ♪ ♪ When she took the rambling itch ♪ ♪ And the last I heard, she's sleeping rough ♪ ♪ Way back on the Derby beat ♪ ♪ A bottle of wine is in her pocket ♪ ♪ A wolfhound at her feet ♪ ♪ Wolfhound at her feet ♪ ♪ She was a rare thing ♪ ♪ As fine as a bee's wing ♪ ♪ So fine, a breath of wind might blow her away ♪ ♪ She was a lost child ♪ ♪ She was running wild ♪ ♪ She said ♪ ♪ So long as there's no price on love, I'll stay ♪ ♪ You wouldn't want me any other way ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ And they say that she got married once ♪ ♪ To a man called Romany Brown ♪ ♪ But even a gypsy caravan ♪ ♪ Was too much like settling down ♪ ♪ And they say her rose is faded ♪ ♪ Rough weather and hard booze ♪ ♪ Sure, maybe that's the price you pay ♪ ♪ For the chains that you refuse ♪ ♪ She was a rare thing ♪ ♪ As fine as a bee's wing ♪ ♪ So fine, a breath of wind might blow her away ♪ ♪ She was a lost child ♪ ♪ She was running wild ♪ ♪ She said ♪ ♪ So long as there's no price on love, I'll stay ♪ ♪ She was a rare thing ♪ ♪ As fine as a bee's wing ♪ ♪ I miss her more than ever words could say ♪ ♪ If I could just taste all of her wildness now ♪ ♪ If I could hold her in my arms today ♪ ♪ I wouldn't want her any other way ♪ ♪ I wouldn't want her any other way ♪ ♪ And I miss her more than ever words could say ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Gavin Ring is an internationally known opera singer.

And we featured him on Ireland with Michael singing both opera and traditional music.

But he surprised us when he told us he also played the flute.

So we sat him down outside his local pub and he gave us this gorgeous performance.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: I remember listening to Clannad when I was a kid growing up in the '80s.

When they agreed to come on the show, in truth, I was more than a little bit starstruck.

Known for their unique blend of traditional Irish music with elements of folk, new age and even rock, they're still the only band to have a British hit single sung entirely in Gaelic.

Blending beautiful melodies, emotive lyrics and rich instrumentation, here is Clannad.

♪ ♪ ♪ Down by the Salley Gardens ♪ ♪ My love and I did meet ♪ ♪ She passed the Salley Gardens ♪ ♪ With little snow-white feet ♪ ♪ She bid me to take love easy ♪ ♪ As the leaves grow on the trees ♪ ♪ But I, being young and foolish ♪ ♪ With her would not agree ♪ ♪ In a field by the river ♪ ♪ My love and I did stand ♪ ♪ And on my leaning shoulder ♪ ♪ She laid her snow-white hand ♪ ♪ She bid me to take life easy ♪ ♪ As the grass grows on the weir ♪ ♪ But I being young and foolish ♪ ♪ And now I am full of tears ♪ ♪ ♪ Down by the Salley Gardens ♪ ♪ My love and I did meet ♪ ♪ She passed the Salley Gardens ♪ ♪ With little snow-white feet ♪ ♪ She bid me to take love easy ♪ ♪ As the leaves grow on the trees ♪ ♪ But I, being young and foolish ♪ ♪ With her would not agree ♪ ♪ MICHAEL: Thanks for joining me on this special Passport episode.

I'm Michael Londra and I hope to see you next time on Ireland with Michael.

ANNOUNCER: Want to continue your travels to Ireland?

A deluxe Ireland with Michael DVD featuring all episodes of Season One plus bonus concert footage is available for $30.

Season Two plus bonus concert footage is available for $30.

A copy of the Ireland with Michael Companion Travel Guide featuring places to visit, as seen in Seasons One and Two, is also available for $30.

ANNOUNCER: This offer is made by Wexford House.

Shipping and handling is not included.

MICHAEL: To learn more about everything you've seen in this episode, go to IrelandWithMichael.com.

ANNOUNCER: Ireland with Michael was made possible by... ♪ ANNOUNCER: Whether traveling to Ireland for the first time, or just longing to return, there's plenty more information available at Ireland.com.

♪ ANNOUNCER: CIE Tours, sharing the magic of Ireland for 90 years.

♪ ANNOUNCER: Aer Lingus has been bringing people home since 1936.

If you are thinking about Ireland, Aer Lingus is ready when you are to take you home.

MICHAEL: OK, put your hands up in the air!

Come on, let's get a-waving.

♪ In my heart its rightful queen ♪ ♪ Ever loving, ever tender ♪ MICHAEL: That's it.

♪ Ever true ♪ ♪ Like the Sun your smile has shone ♪ MICHAEL: Go on, Wexford.

♪ Gladdening all it glowed upon ♪ ♪