Episode LXI is a lengthy heady blast through all of the amazing music that has come my way over the last month. There's so much really quality interesting stuff coming out in the wider traditional - folk - weirdo music scenes these days and this is just a taster. The draft is full and rich. Drink deep and be let contentment be your wealth. Artwork by Louis le Brocquy for the Thomas Kinsella translation of the Táin Bó Cuailnge. Tracklist Cormac Begley & Liam O Connor – Ryan’s Rant Sweet Willi...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 24 min
This episode looks at the ballad Blackwater Side aka Blackwaterside aka Down by Blackwaterside and the journey that it took from a Traveller site outside Belfast in 1952 to the first Led Zeppelin LP. A winding river of a song, this episode looks at its multiple obscure sources as well as its many meandering tributaries. Tracklist Led Zeppelin – Black Mountain Side Bert Jansch – Blackwaterside Anne Briggs – Blackwaterside Isla Cameron – Blackwaterside Mary Doran – Down by Blackwaterside Paddy Tun...
Jun 20, 2025•52 min
FDN LX was recorded in a bedroom in the 9th Ward in New Orleans. Upon reflection it features many friends, peers and contemporaries and that must be a good thing. Cormac Mac Diarmada – Iníon an Fhaoit’ ó’n nGleann Jim Ghedi – The Seasons Bob Hill – Pity The Downtrodden Landlord Ben Edge – Crossbones Lament Angeline Morrison – Unknown African Boy (d. 1830) Paddy McKeown – Cailín Deas Crúite na mBó Dickie Rock & Miami – Mairzy Doats And Dozy Doats Guídó Pluisce – Farewell to High Fidelity Ge...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 4 min
This episode looks at the song Hares on the Mountain aka Blackbirds and Thrushes aka If All the Young Women aka Nancy Lay Sleeping aka The Knife in the Window aka Pretty Polly aka Shepherd So Bold aka Sally My Dear aka Lightning and Thunder aka Crawling and Creeping aka Ain't Gonna Do It No More aka Roll Yer Leg Over Tracklist Shirley Collins and Davy Graham – Hares on the Mountain Harry List – Knife on the Window AL Lloyd – Pretty Polly Harry Cox – Knife in the Window Belinda Kempster and Fran ...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Episode LVIX is an eclectic collection of traditional material arranged and performed along a wide and varied spectrum of emotion, mood and colour. Expect bombast, pomp, introspection and sensitivity with a side dish of wonktown 2000. Artwork from Garden of Earthly Delights, Hieronymous Bosch, 15th - 16th century. Tracklist Sam Spence – Quest For The Silver Trophy Natalie Ní Chasaide and Iarfhlaith Ó Domhnail – The Ewe with the Crooked Horn / An Mhalaidh Garbh Macdara Yeates – One Starry Night B...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 20 min
This episode looks at the song the Boston Burglar aka Botany Bay aka the Louisville Burglar aka the New Transports Farewell aka the Transport aka Adieu to Old England Tracklist Paul Clayton – Botany Bay The Watersons – The Whitby Lad Fiddlin' John Carson August – The Boston Burglar Carl T Sprague – The Boston Burglar New Lost City Ramblers – Louisville Burglar George Pegram – The Boston Burglar Cat Mother – Boston Burglar Jean Elvin - The Boston Smuggler Jimmy MacBeath – The Boston Smuggler Deli...
Dec 09, 2024•51 min
Episode LVIII is a spotlight on the Appalachian region of the USA, based around an interview with the one and only Andy the Doorbum and focusing on the relief work that he is currently carrying out there. If you would like to support him in his efforts you can do so here - https://campsite.bio/andythedoorbum The episode also features an unreleased track from Andy, namely Young Emily / Edmund in the Lowlands Low Tracklist Andy the Doorbum - Young Emily / Edmund in the Lowlands Low Maggie Hammons ...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 50 min
Episode LVII is a grim Halloween special featuring some creepy favourites! Artwork is a German painting of the Danse Macabre, creator unknown. Tracklist John Carpenter – Tommy Tells Of Ghost Ships Richard Dawson – Ghost of a Tree Paddy Glackin and Robbie Hannan – The Young Tom Ennis / The Maid at the Well John Goodluck – The Lover’s Ghost Pentangle – The Cruel Sister Harry Bradley and Michael Clarkson – The Geese in the Bog / The Jig of the Dead Roky Erickson – I Walked with a Zombie Dimlaia – G...
Oct 31, 2024•55 min
This episode looks at the ballad Fair Margaret And Sweet William aka Lady Margaret And Sweet William aka Sweet William and Fair Margaret aka Knight William aka Lady Margaret aka Little Margaret aka The Old Armchair Tracklist Tom Munnelly – Talking about Knight William Martin Howley – Knight William AL Lloyd – Fair Margaret And Sweet William The Hare and the Moon – Sweet William and Fair Margaret Justus Begley – Lady Margaret Emma Shelton – Fair Margaret and Sweet William Almeda Riddle – Lady Mar...
Sep 16, 2024•56 min
Fire Draw Near Episode LVI turns a focussed ear to the liminal weirdos at the very fringes of traditional and folk music. And Nioclás Tóibín. Pictured are the Belgian duo Tabernis, who open the episode. Tracklist Tabernis – Carmen Reginarum Róis – Caoine Charanjit Singh – Raga Bhairav Isa Gordon – What a Voice Seamas Hyland – Navan Road Nioclás Tóibín – Eochaill The Deadlians – Return to Fingal / Lord Mayo Dawn Ray'd – Requital Córas – George White’s Ancient Hostility – Immigration Van Greet – ...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min
This episode looks at the ballad the Suffolk Miracle aka the Holland Handkerchief aka the Lover's Ghost. Tracklist Nora Cleary – The Holland Handkerchief Packie Manus Byrne – The Holland Handkerchief Austin Flanagan – The Holland Handkerchief Michael McGonigle – The Holland Handkerchief John Goodluck – The Suffolk Miracle Chris Foster – The Holland Handkerchief Rósa Ingólfsdóttir – Djákninn á Myrká John W. Green – The Suffolk Miracle Mrs. G. A. Griffin – The Suffolk Miracle Dol Small – The Suffo...
Aug 05, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Fire Draw Near Episode LV is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Heather Wood ' - outstanding singer, tank driver and wit'. It features her singing with the Young Tradition alongside some anti-marriage songs, a little look at Oró Sé Do Bheatha 'Bhaile, some traditional tunes by Rory Gallagher, some north American goodness and a bit more besides. Tracklist Jim Williams – Finger Scene The Young Tradition – Lyke Wake Dirge Rory Gallagher – She Moved Through the Fair Darach Ó Catháin – Oró Sé do...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 4 min
This episode looks at the ballad Maids When You’re Young Never Wed an Old Man aka An Old Man Came Courting Me aka Never Wed an Old Man aka The Foolish Old Man. Tracklist The Dubliners – Maids When You’re Young Never Wed an Old Man The Clancy Brothers – An Old Man Came Courting Pat McNamara – Never Wed an Old Man Sam Larner - Maids When You’re Young Never Wed an Old Man Danny Brazil – An Old Man Came Courting Me Peggy Seeger – An Old Man Came Courting Me Killy Country – An Old Man Came Courting M...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Fire Draw Near Episode LIV features wrens, bitterns and cailleachaí. Roisin El Cherif - Siúil a Rúin David Murphy – Sean O'Duibhir a Ghleanna Dave Van Ronk – Luang Prabang Wire Worms – The Cutty Wren The Young Tradition – Byker Hill Thin Lizzy – Sitamoia Meaigí Nic Dhonncha – Cailleach an Airgid Stiofán Ó Cualáin – Cailleach an Airgid David Power – The Hag With The Money / Garrett Barry's Bexley H.S. Vocal Ensemble – 'Si Do Mhaimeo I Seán Jeaic Mac Donncha – An Bonnán Buí The Huntress and Ho...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 9 min
This episode looks at the song Paddy Works on the Railway aka Paddy on the Railway aka Poor Paddy aka Fillimiooriay aka Paddy Works on the Erie aka Pat Do This, Pat Do That. Tracklist That Clancy Children – Paddy on the Railway The Pogues – Poor Paddy Salty Dick – The Shaver Mark Page – Paddy Works on the Railway Ewan MacColl – Paddy Works on the Railway Dominic Behan – Paddy Works on the Railway Louisa Jo Killen – Paddy Works on the Railway Keith Kendrick - Paddy Works on the Railway The Wolfe ...
May 02, 2024•58 min
This episode looks at the ballad Santiano aka Santiana aka Santy Anno aka Santy Anna aka The Plains of Mexico. Tracklist Henry Lundy and David "Pappie" Pryor – Bay of Mexico The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – Santy Anno The Watersons – The Plains of Mexico Pusser's Rum ft. Stan Hugill – Santiano Meredydd Evans – Santiana The Weavers – The Bay of Mexico Odetta – Santy Anno The Kingston Trio - Santy Anno Dave Van Ronk – Santy Anno The Men Of The Robert Shaw Chorale – Santy Anna A.H. Rasmussen...
Mar 18, 2024•50 min
FDN LIII has been a long time coming...Included therein are songs of resistance, songs of magic and songs of being human. Life, Death, Love, Rage, Joy and Suffering. You know the drill. Sit by the Fire Draw Near. Free Palestine. Artwork designed by Palestinian artist Abdal Latif Muhanna and published by the Foreign Information Department of the PLO in 1982. X Tracklist Zeinab Shaath – The Urgent Call Of Palestine Marcel Khalife Oumeima El Khalil – My Teacher Palestinian Student Karmel Group – Al...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 22 min
This episode looks at the song Eggs and Marrowbones aka Marrowbones aka The Old Woman from Wexford aka The Old Woman from Oxford aka The Old Woman from Boston aka The Old Woman of Slapsadam aka An Old Woman’s Story aka The Rich Old Lady aka The Auld Man and the Churnstaff aka Tippig it Up to Nancy. Artwork by Carol Roe - https://youtu.be/laBE2X5tBMw Tracklist: John Reilly – Tipping it up to Nancy Joe Heaney – Old Woman of Wexford Red Mick McDermott – Marrowbones Sarah Makem – Canny Ould Lad Jane...
Jan 09, 2024•56 min
Episode LII is dedicated to the memory of Shane McGowan. It features some of my favourite Pogues songs as well as tracks by John Francis Flynn, Andy the Doorbum, Dulcidrone, Of the Clay and more. Tracklist The Pogues – Boys from County Hell The Pogues – The Old Main Drag Mick Moloney and Frank Harte – Conversation, June 1982 Pandy Corporation – Polly Vaughan feat. Sive Sestri Koushlevi – Da Znaesh, Maicho, Da Znaesh Andy the Doorbum – Little Deaths: the dirge of renewal Dulcidrone – Winter Brack...
Dec 26, 2023•59 min
This episode looks at the ballad The Maid on the Shore. Tracklist: A.L. Lloyd – The Maid on the Shore Peggy Seeger – The Fair Maid by the Shore Isla Cameron – The Maid on the Shore Tom Kines and Jean Price – The Maid on the Shore Frankie Armstrsong – The Maid on the Shore John Lyons – The Maid on the Shore Hedy West and Bill Clifton – The Maid on the Shore John Roberts and Tony Barrand – The Maid on the Shore John Kirkpatrick – The Maid on the Shore Niamh Parsons – The Maid on the Shore Eliza Ca...
Nov 08, 2023•57 min
Episode LI is a spooky Halloween special coming straight from the swamps of Louisiana to steal your soul away. This episode features guest presenter Summer Newman of Holy Locust fame and showcases some of the creepiest traditional tunes and songs, rambling digressions on the calendar custom of Samhain / Halloween in Irish folk and fairy lore as well as some Dungeon Synth and experimental tracks for good measure. Tracklist Paul Miles and His Red Fox Chasers – Did You Ever See The Devil, Uncle Joe...
Oct 21, 2023•1 hr 7 min
This episode looks at the ballad Young Ramble Away aka Derry Down Fair aka Brimbledown Fair aka Burlington Fair aka Brocklesby Fair. Tracklist Frank Purslow & John Pearse – Young Ramble Away The Young Tradition – Derry Down Fair Chapter Three – Ramble Away Al O’Donnell – Ramble Away Jean Redpath – Rambleaway Derek Sarjeant & Hazel King – Ramble Away George Withers – Brimbledown Fair Tommy Tourish – Ramble Away Mel, Mel and Julian – Ramble Away Johnny Flynn – Rambleaway Joe Hickerson – Ra...
Oct 02, 2023•44 min
Episode L was recorded in a parking lot aka car park on the outskirts of Austin, Texas in the sweltering heat. Join me as I attempt to articulate what it's like to reach the 50th episode of Fire Draw Near. This episode features tracks that are actually new, tracks that are new to me and tracks that I hope are new to you. Tracklist Tenores di Bitti – Ite m'Importa sa Vida (ballu lestru) Swan Arcade – Babylon Pádraic Keane, Páraic Mac Donnchadha & Macdara Ó Faoláin – Elizabeth Kelly's Deli...
Sep 25, 2023•57 min
This episode looks at the ballad Molly Bawn aka Polly Vaughn aka The Shooting of His Dear aka The Fowler aka Peggy Baun aka Molly Bond aka Molly Banding aka Molly Vaughan aka At the Setting of the Sun aka The Shooting of His Dear aka As Jimmy Went A-Hunting. Tracklist: John Maguire – Molly Bawn Lowry Elizabeth Cronin – Molly Bawn Séamus Ennis – Molly Bawn Robin Roberts – Molly Bawn The Dubliners – Molly Bawn The Swinging Swan – Molly Bawn Harry Cox – The Fowler Phoebe Smith – Molly Vaughan Anne ...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Episode XLIX is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Shuhada' Sadaqat aka Sinéad O'Connor and features versions of traditional songs recorded by her. There are also tracks from Uilleann Piper Joey Abarta's new album, Dragon Slumber, Frank Harte, Jimmy O'Brien Moran and more. Tracklist Sinéad O’Connor – Paddy’s Lamentation Sinéad O’Connor – Her Mantle So Green Cormac Cannon – The Gold Ring Ragnar Vigdal - Jesus Din Søde Forening at Smage Liam Weldon – One Starry Night Joey Abarta – Any Ol' Jig...
Aug 22, 2023•1 hr 3 min
This episode looks at the ballad The Farmer’s Curst Wife aka the Women are Worse than the Men aka The Old Man under the Hill aka The Devil and the Farmer's Wife aka The Old Woman and the Devil aka The Battle Axe and the Devil aka The Farmer and the Devil aka The Carle o' Killyburn Braes aka The Farmer's Wife aka Jack's Wife aka Kellybumbraes aka Ten Little Devils The Devil and the Fanner's Wife aka The Devil's Song aka The Old Devil Come to my Plow aka The Old Jokey Song aka The (Old) Scolding W...
Aug 08, 2023•58 min
Alexis Zoumbas – Doina Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin - Eileanóir na Rún Unknown - Nuvenapreghiera Per La Novena di Natale Amelia Dawley, Mary Moran – Gullah Song Group Of Men From Andros Island – Dig My Grave X-Seamen’s Institute – Santiano Sarah Ghriallais – An Sceilpín Draighneach Pererin - Llongau Caernarfon Maxime Martelot, Aude Giuliano – La Chanson de Craonne Metro Radomsky – Baryshnia A Cantata Di Li Pasturi – Pastorale Planxty – The Well Below the Valley https://campsite.bio/firedrawnear
Jul 24, 2023•58 min
This episode looks at the ballad the Crabfish aka the Codfish aka the Crayfish the Lobster aka Tommy Doddler. Tracklist Nora Cleary – The Codfish Mickey Connors – The Crabfish Barry Gleeson – Mr. Crabfish Harry Cox – The Catfish Charlotte Renals – The Crabfish Cecil Sharp Centenary Collective – The Crabfish Tony Barrand and John Roberts - Crayfish Ron and the Rude Boys – The Lobster David Sear and Oscar Brand – The Codfish song Salty Dick – The Crabfish Dan and Bonnie Milner – The Crabfish Lomax...
Jul 10, 2023•43 min
Episode XLVII features a lot of new music from the likes of Holy Locust, Ora Cogan, Gabriel McArdle, Diarmuid Ó Meachair, Sourdurent, Mike Oberst and Padang Food Tigers, as well as some classics from the wider world of Irish traditional music and song. Holy Locust – Sorrowhead Ora Cogan – Katie Cruel Tommy Reck – Port an Bhráthair / Port Shean tSeáin Gabriel McArdle – Johnny and Molly Diarmuid Ó Meachair – John J. Kimmel Medley Sourdurent - La Dumenchada Mike Oberst – School Days Over Frank Hart...
Jun 25, 2023•52 min
This episode looks at the ballad The Golden Vanity / The Sweet Trinity aka The Turkish Reveille aka The Turkish Revoloo aka The Turkey-Rogherlee aka The Turkey Shivaree aka The Merry Golden Tree aka The Golden Willow Tree aka The Green Willow Tree aka The Golden Vallady aka The Golden Furnity aka The Golden Fenadier aka The Golden Victory aka The Golden Merrilee aka The Mary Golden Tree aka The Gallant Victory aka The Golden Vanitee aka The Gold China Tree aka The Yellow Golden Tree aka The Weep...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 8 min
