Can Anyone Help with the Origin and Lyrics of an Irish or Scottish Song?

Doreen wrote asking for help with the lyrics and origin of a song about a fairy. Here's her email: I know (or think I remember accurately) most of the lyrics. I am trying to find the country of origin which I believe is Ireland or Scotland. Here is the song... As Katie one night, by

The [...]

Fun Renditions of Christmas Carols

Check out these fun, rocking renditions of Christmas carols as performed by Ryan DeRamos. The links below include lyrics, recordings plus additional links to French and Spanish Translations... Jingle Bells O Christmas Tree Hallelujah In dulci jubilo It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Joy to the World [...]

Deck the Halls – Originally Contained a Warning about Spending too Much Money for the Holidays

The Christmas carol "Deck the Hall" originally comes from the Welsh New Year's Carol called Nos Galan ("New Year's Eve").  Nos Galan is about spending New Year's Eve with friends. It's also about not spending more than you can afford for the holidays!  It was first [...]

Going Door-to-Door for Money or Treats from Halloween to New Year's Day

Going door-to-door for treats between Halloween and Christmas-time has been common throughout the West for the past few centuries. These traditions have their roots in Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that was celebrated from October 31st to November 1st, the halfway point between the [...]

Fairy Songs and Lullabies

We have a little collection of rhymes and lullabies about fairies.  You can click on the titles below to find the songs.  They're from all Ireland and Scotland. Ireland Are You a Witch or Are You a Fairy? (Jump Rope Rhyme and Chant) Ballyeamon Cradle Song Fairy Lullaby Seoithn, Seo H [...]

How Now Brown Cow? Its Origins and Usage

When I was very little (less than 5 years old), all the kids in my neighborhood used to chant, "How now brown cow!" It turns out that the phrase originally came from Scotland in the 1700's.  Some sources say that, "brown cow" was a phrase that used to mean a barrel of [...]

Symbolism Behind the Phrase "To Tie the Knot"

The expression "to tie the knot" means "to get married".   There are several places where tied knots have been connected to marriage and love. During Roman times, brides wore a belt or girdle at their wedding tied in a Hercules Knot. Only the groom was allowed to [...]

A Boy's Song – A Poem with a Musical MP3 Recording

Here's a poem called "A Boy's Song" by Scottish poet, James Hogg, with a fun musical recording by Ezwa. Recording of A Boy's Song A Boy's Song By James Hogg   Where the pools are bright and deep,            Where the grey [...]

Top Ten Nursery Rhymes in the UK

Booktrust did a survey of over 2,500 people in the UK to determine the top nursery rhymes.  Here they are with links to their lyrics (most of the links have mp3's or videos too): 1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star 2. Incey Wincey Spider 3. Round And Round The Garden 4. Baa Baa Black Sheep 5. [...]