9. Wings of Horses               
10. An Irish Medley
11. John O'Dreams
12. Floor to Dance Upon / Gary Owen
13. Heart of the Home
14. Ringin' in the Rafters  
15. The Stolen Child
16. Not Alone
17. Day of the Drover/Yust another Yig
18. The Slip Jigs and Reels
19.  The Old House Waltz

Winter Fly (McKee)

A Colorado native, it is in your nature to take for granted that the sun will shine 90% of the year! Not so in northwest Montana! Our first winter there, there were approximately 6 days of sun. Too cold to go outside, I simply put a kitchen chair in the small square of sunshine from our only south facing window. I proceeded to move across the floor throughout the day and realized there was a fly… doing the same thing in the windowsill! At first she bashed repeatedly against the glass, thinking that being out there would be better, but after a long discussion, I convinced her the temperature would surely kill her, just to settle in and enjoy the tropical inside… so with her beach chair, sunglasses and a small drink with an umbrella, we enjoyed the brief vacation from dark Montana winter!

Winter fly is awake
The windowsill it is warm
She thinks she should go outside
And find
Something to swarm
But tropical it is not
And she would be better off
To close her eyes
And go back to sleep

Winter sun
He has played a trick on us
For it’s only 10 degrees
And we think we will not freeze
If we go out on a fling
We will come back shivering
So winter fly and I
Should go back to sleep

The Shearin’s No For You (trad)

I can’t remember when or where I first heard this song, but I’ve sung it for years. It is really fun to arrange songs that have male and female voices into… just that!
We always have issues with traditional songs and accents. We try to split the difference between the language it was conceived in, and our own American-isms. It’s fair to the tradition to learn it exactly, but not fair to the tradition for us to pretend it is our language, or that our audiences want to hear us pretending. So while you will hear some fragments of the broad Scot’s in order to not butcher it completely (ie: oh the shearing’s not for you), we soft it a bit, and retain our own language and lack of accent.

Oh the shearin’s no for you my bonnie lassie-o
Oh the shearin’s no for you my bonnie lassie-o
Oh the shearin’s no for you, for your back it wil nae bo’
For your belly’s rowan fu’ my bonnie lassie-o

Do ya mind on yonder hill my bonnie laddie-o
Do ya mind on yonder hill my bonnie laddie-o
Do ya mind on yonder hill when ye said ye wud me kill
If ye did nae ha’ yer will my bonnie laddie-o

Oh I’ll no kill ye deid, my bonnie lassie-o
Oh I’ll no kill ye deid, my bonnie lassie-o
Oh I’ll no kill ye deid nor will I harm yer pretty heid
I will marry you with speed my bonnie lassie-o

It was in the month of May, my bonnie laddie-o
It was in the month of May, my bonnie laddie-o
It was in the month of May when the flo-ers they are gay
And the lambs all sport and play, my bonnie laddie-o

Oh the shearin’s no for you my bonnie lassie-o
Oh the shearin’s no for you my bonnie lassie-o
Oh the shearin’s no for you, for your back it wil nae bo’
For your belly’s rowan fu’ my bonnie lassie-o

For the Sake of Angus/Angus Polka (McKee/trad)

The polka I learned first, and I can’t remember where I picked it up. But I had to retune the dulcimer into a reverse Ionian to get it to sound right. It was such labor to retune for one tune, I decided I needed to create another tune to justify the agony… thus ‘for the sake of Angus’.

Wistful Wending (McKee)

I think I’ve been a traveler all my life… in my mind if not in body.
Our wonderful life of touring is a double edged-sword to be sure. We see amazing landscapes and meet amazing people. Then some days we realize that the most amazing place and people are the ones we are always leaving behind. The tortured soul of a traveler…

I am a traveler… a wandering one…
With my back toward whence I came
I see the road ahead the hills beyond
But I will not ask their name
A place I have not seen
Will keep calling me
Till I lie beneath the sky it lends me
And with grace I’ll stay
Then move on my way
My soul in wistful wending
I looked into the face
Of one who came
From the place where I was bound
We shared the travelers dream
With freest hearts
But a traveler ne’er turns ‘round
So our paths did cross
But alone we walked
A love story to each other lending
A lover’s sigh was heard
But to a traveler
Even love’s a wistful wending
The ones who keep the fires
And open doors
Who give shelter on my way
Will be the memories
That I recall
When it’s home and hearth I crave
But when the wind I hear
Whispers in my ear
A tune that someplace else is lending
Then my voice I’ll raise
And sing on my way
A song of wistful wending
Bridge:
Tho’ you may return
If it’s just to learn
Those you’ve left behind have traveled too
And though not as far
It was just as hard
As the road has been for you
I am a traveler…

Deadly Medley (trad)

In the first years of performing with dulcimers, there I was, a lone player in a sea of bands. When I would get booked for a festival, it seemed to always be MY fate to get my set cut short. Bands would come and go, running late and taking more than their fair share of the time slots, and little McKee would be in the middle of her set when the MC would lean over and say “We need to make up time, you can do one more”!

What? But… but… I have four more tunes!!!

In my passive aggressive little mind, I created the ‘Deadly Medley’.
Four tunes strung together, following the rules of ‘one more’, but getting all my tunes in!

Not sure it was honorable, but hey… I was a newbie at the festival scene, and what were they gonna do? Fire me????

Love Song From You (McKee)

At the beginning of any love affair, there are so many exchanges of romance! Ken had written me poems and sang to me, but alas after several years that waned and he couldn’t even remember them… After attending a concert where a heartfelt singer-songwriter was emoting about his true love, I tried to convince Ken to write to me. It didn’t work.
So I wrote my own love song…

Chorus:
Think I’ll write a love song from you
Saying loving words I’m sure you mean to
Caressing me with poetry and rhyme
Gifting me with love line by line
Maybe you would write if you had time
But your sweet nothings are all mine
You did not leave me in the night
To you that’s love in the morning light
Chorus
I went to hear a singer weave his song
It was almost like a prayer
He closed his eyes and his heart poured out
He sang to her as if she were there
Chorus
I saw him there across the small café
His eyes looked warm, his eyes looked kind
And you were rambling on and on
While he was singing love songs in my mind
Bridge:
But then I remembered why I love you
More than the songs you’ll never sing
So I will write the lyrics
If the tune your heart will bring
Chorus
Repeat first verse

The Foamin’ Sea (trad)

I first heard this sung by the great Ivan Drevor. It has not been covered by many, and it is a gem. The poetry of the sea is always powerful to me, a dry-lander. This could be anywhere in Scotland… so lovely.

The foamin’ sea is dear to me
It brings me home to thee love
What care I for the spume drift fly
It speeds me home to thee love

A heart that’s true never dreads the view
Of stormy clouds or sea love
The curling wave may scare the slave
It ne’r will scare the free love

The wintry blast may bend the mast
And the sheet I’ll n’er let fly love
The water o’er the gunwale pours
And the squall blows low and high love

The wave may roar o’er the dark rock shore
And the seabirds sadly wail love
The watery grave or the storm tossed brave
That sink mid the angry gale love

The tumblin’ tide and the ocean wide
Are blithesome sights to see love
The gray gulls cry in the gatherin’ sky
Are music sweet to me love

Now sunbeams smile on the dusty isle
In the cot that shelters thee love
Through dashing spray I’ll cleave my way
And hasten home to thee love

Away Ye Merry Lasses (Georgie Holper)

Someone shared this song with us from a cassette copy. We never knew who wrote it, but my daughters were little it t became our anthem. We loved singing it in concert, and this version has my now adult daughter recording with us at age 11. She hates it now, but it is a slice of our musical family history! We now know Georgie, and have thanked her for such a great song… ride girls ride!!!

I told me ma I was goin’ out
She asked what I was all about
I asked if I could take the broom
“ I’m goin’ to meet the girls”
Oh the moon is wax tonight
And don’t ya like the fellas?
I prefer the girls tonight
I’m goin’ to ride the wind

Chorus:
Cause it’s the girls night out
Away ye merry lasses
Get yer brooms get ‘em out
We’ll ride the wind tonight
Oh it’s the girls night out
Away ye merry lasses
Get yer brooms get ‘em out
We’ll ride the wind tonight

My sister is so bold and free
She asked if she could come with me
I saw her up above the trees
Goin’ to ride the wind
Oh the moon is wax tonight
And don’t ya like the fellas?
“ I prefer the girls tonight
I’m goin’ to ride the wind

As we were goin’ out the gate
We met our dear old mother
Ridin’ a broom and hummin’ a tune
Goin’ to meet the girls
Oh the moon is wax tonight
And don’t ya like the fellas?
I prefer the girls tonight
I’m goin’ to ride the wind

Boys verse: (Willson)
The girls have gone out on a spree
They left us here the dog and me
They almost swept us off our feet
Goin’ to ride the wind
Oh the moon is wax tonight
And there will be no fellas
We will wait and wonder
While they go to ride the wind…

Wings of Horses (Peter Rowan)

Not your typical song to include on a Celtic based disc. But this is a powerful song, we love it and everyone who hears it loves it, and great songs just need to be included!

I am young in this world
I am glad I am alive
I know someday, I’ll fly away
On the wings of horses
On the wings of horses
So free

I wish I had a horse of my own
A wild horse that would never stray
On wings we could fly home free
A wild horse that would always stay
A wild horse that would always stay
By me

I’m glad my wish will come true
I know that dreams never die
I’m glad that you will believe too
On the wings of horses
On the wings of horses
So free

Irish Medley (trad)

Tunes I’ve played so long, I can no longer remember where I learned them, why I learned them, what their names are, or where I put my glasses… geeze it’s hard to get old…

John O’Dreams (Caddick)

I first heard this version in the west of Ireland sung by Mick Maloney. I thought I saw him there… John O’Dreams… in the mist of a “soft day” awaiting the adventures of night.

When midnight sings, good people homeward tread
Seek now your blankets and your feather bed
Home is the rover, his journey over
Yield up the nighttime to old John O Dreams
Yiled up the nighttime to old John O Dreams

Across the hill the sun has gone astray
Tomorrow’s cares are many dreams away
The stars are flying, your candle’s dying
Yield up the darkness to old John O Dreams
Yield up the darkness to old John O Dreams

Both man and master in the night are one
All things are equal when the day is done
The prince and the ploughman, the slave and freeman
All find their comfort with old John O Dreams
All find their comfort with old John O Dreams

Now as you sleep the dreams come winging clear
The hawks of mornig cannot harm you here
Sleep is your river, float on forever
And for your boatman choose old John O Dreams
And for your boatman choose old John O Dreams

Floor to Dance Upon/ Garry Owen (McKee/trad)

House tragedy is often thought of in the form of fire, flood, tornado or other disasters. We had a disaster of dry rot to the tune of $20,000.00! Cutting off your house at ground level, jacking it up cleaning out the rotten wood, digging a new crawl space and dropping the house (two story mind you) back onto new wood and floor is a unique experience in agony.

Needless to say, you probably never really appreciate your floor… until you don’t have one…

Garry Owen is the perfect example of how you can ruin your reputation by the company you keep. A fine old Irish tune until Custer got a hold of it and used it to march humans to dismal death… while tainted by such history, it is still a fine old Irish tune in my mind.

Heart of the Home (Andy M. Stewart)

I hope Mr. Stewart forgives my readjusting of his words a bit? I call it the folk process, but I needed them to fit our rural touring audiences. It is a fabulous song, both versions!
My version appears here first, followed by Andy’s.

You still smiles when you recalls, how the gold ring fit her finger
How you made that moment linger, that your memory be strong
You had made a brand new start and found a whole new way of living
With your voices joined together singing no sad songs

Chorus:
If the hard times come round
May you see them through together
And may there be love and laughter
In the heart of your home

You still smiles when you recall how you counted little fingers
And their gratitude still lingers that the children were born strong
You had made a whole new life and found a whole new way of living
With your voices joined together singing no sad songs

Oh this life it can be hard and this living’ is never easy
With your memories to cling to, summer nights seem winters long
And in your hearts there is a sound and the only sound worth hearing
Is your voices joined together singing no sad songs

Andy’s original version:

He still smiles when he recalls, how the gold ring fit her finger
How they made that moment linger, that it’s memory be strong
They had made a brand new start and found a whole new way of living
Two voices joined together singing no sad songs

Chorus:
If the hard times come round
May you see them through together
And may there be love and laughter
In the heart of your home

Leaving there was always hard and leaving her was never easy
With those memories to tease you, summer nights seemed winters long
In his heart there was a sound and the only sound worth hearing
Two voices joined together singing no sad songs

He still smiles when he recalls how they counted little fingers
And their gratitude still lingers that the boy was born strong
They had made a whole new life and found a whole new way of living
Three voices joined together singing no sad songs

Ringin’ in the Rafters (McKee)

When attending traditional ceili’s in Ireland and Scotland, I absorb myself in the music, dance, laughter, chatter, and… the building. Inanimate objects always speak to me, and many of those old community halls just ooze with music and gatherings, the comings and goings of humanity. Simply magic!

Chorus
The planks are a rattlin’
With dancin’ and tappin’
The walls they are ringin’ with song
And the stories and laughter
Still ring in the rafters
The ringin’ will bring in the dawn
The old ones they gather in their favorite corner
The young ones they scatter like thistle in fall
Wizened gray heads, keeping time with the old songs
While youth it steps lightly without care at all
Chorus
How the shadows did swing, when the fiddles would sing
Those weary from work could take to their flight
Dancing in air with delights from the kitchen
A blending of senses far into the night
Chorus
Oh the years keep slippin’, the rafters are missin’
The gatherings that made the seasons stand still
The heart from the fire with my heart rises higher
Till I and the rafters are warm from the chill

Stolen Child (words, W.B. Yeats, melody, McKee)

I secretly keep a small bag packed in readiness for this invitation from the little people.

Come away, O human child
To the waters and the wild
Come away, O human child
With a fairy hand in hand
For the world’s more full of weeping
Than you’ll understand
Come away, O human child
To the woods and waters wild

 Not Alone (McKee)

Always a sense of homelessness… and yet hope.

I have not found my home
I have not found my home
I have not found my home
But peace be in my soul
I lost my own true love
I lost my own true love
I lost my own true love
But peace be in my soul
I’ve cried out in the dark
I’ve cried out in the dark
I’ve cried out in the dark
But peace be in my soul
If you’ve not found a home
If you have lost true love
If you cry in the dark
Then peace be in your soul
This life is but a gift
So peace be in our souls
Our life is not alone
So peace be in our souls
So peace be in our souls