A dark murder ballad for Halloween. Coming together to change the world. Why more people don’t play the autoharp.
Welcome to the Pub Songs Podcast, the Virtual Public House for Celtic Geek culture. I am your Guide. My name is Marc Gunn. Today’s show is brought to you by my Gunn Runners on Patreon. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music when you sign up at PubSong.com.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAY
0:20 – SONG: “O’er the Way” by Marc Gunn from St Patrick’s Day (2021)
4:14 – WELCOME
— Remember to Vote! Go to vote.org to check your registration and to register if it is still possible. This election is extremely important to bring balance and integrity back to America. So please will vote on November 3rd.
— Post a review in Apple Podcasts or on your favorite podcatcher.
— Recording with Brazilian Celtic Rock band Tuatha De Dannan. I hope to have a recording to share in the next show. I sang a version of “Johnny Jump Up” called “Jaysus Jump Up” for their upcoming album.
— New videos: Whiskey in the Jar, O’er the Way
— New Irish & Celtic Song Lyrics: O’er the Way, Health to the Company
— New podcasts: Celtic Rock Bonus, Lady of the Lake track by Daimh
TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS. Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. We’re going to Scotland in 2021. Join the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/
8:48 – SONG: “Together” by Marc Gunn from Single for KrabbeConnect
Krabbe disease is a rare genetic disorder. It is a severe neurological condition that results from the loss of the protective covering surrounding nerve cells. Individuals affected by Krabbe disease do not make enough of a specific enzyme. Because of this, Krabbe disease slowly damages the white matter, brain and spinal cord, as well as nerves outside the Central Nervous System.
11:13 – STORY: Coming Together
I’ve been thinking a lot about togetherness recently. What does it take to bring people together? What does it take to build a community?
I can’t say that I really know. Nor am I any good at it.
It makes me think of the presidential race. I will vote for Vice President Joe Biden because he’s a moderate. He has worked for years together with both sides of the political aisle, Democrats and Republicans. He seems to me a return to politicians who aren’t just about creating division. But I don’t know how he will bring people together, or if he can in these partisan times.
As for me, I’m bad at it.
I posted a new episode of the Celtfather Monthly podcast recently. My primary goal was to remind you to have a moratorium on sharing partisanship on social. Don’t share partisan memes. Don’t share news articles. Instead, just share your opinion on your social media.
No sooner had I shared that podcast, when I didn’t follow my own advice. In so doing, I felt like I created division.
I want to unite people. But I’m not good at it. I don’t know anyone who is. I know I get overrun by my emotions. I say dumb things in anger. Sometimes I will ignore facts just to suit my belief system.
You would think that right and wrong were more straightforward. Black and white. But what’s that line by Obi Wan Kenobi in Empire Strikes Back.
It’s not black and white. It’s full of opinion. Because my beliefs are different from yours.
I am a Celt. To me that means, we understand what it means to be oppressed. And so we should stand up for others who are also oppressed or fighting for their individual rights, as long as it doesn’t impose on ours.
As a Geek, those Celtic beliefs are strengthened by the lessons I learned from Star Trek, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one.
And by Doctor Who. We are all important, no matter your religion, the color of your skin, your sexual orientation, or what exotic race they come from. They are creatures of this universe and deserve respect. We should celebrate all of our differences.
That’s what my next CD, Selcouth, is all about. It’s about being different, and proud of those differences. And not belittling someone else’s.
It’s about coming together as a community of people who are different. Who are not like everyone else. We’re Celtic Geeks. Each of us is even different from other Celtic Geeks. But we embrace that difference as a group.
I don’t know that this community idea really even resonates with you. I want a better world. And I believe we have the capability to make it better. By working together. By being selfless. By putting my neighbor before my own wants and desires. I feel like that is how we truly come together. But it might just be an idealistic goal that’s not attainable.
I don't know. But I feel it essential that we try.
15:31 – SONG: “Health to the Company” sung by Marc Gunn, recorded by Brobdingnagian Bards from Real Men Wear Kilts
18:42 – JOIN THE PUB CHAT (read and see videos at bottom of notes)
Are you a Celtic Geek? Well, then you probably read. You might study history. And you might watch TV or movies with a Celtic or Geek twist. It’s what Celtic Geeks do. What are you reading, learning, or watching?
You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you’re enjoying to marc@marcgunn.com. Chat in the Celtic Geeks group on Facebook.
23:32 – SONG: “Just A Hero” from Selcouth
Sometimes we fabricate heroes to satisfy our own dissatisfaction. The mudders of Canton do that in the episode “Jaynestown” on the TV show Firefly. They take a horrible person, Jayne Cobb, who did one good thing for them and put him up on a pedestal.
This song continues the story. The mudders realize they don’t need a statue. They can stand up for themselves. They become their own heroes.
26:56 – UPCOMING SHOWS
THURS: Coffee with The Celtfather on YouTube @ 12:00 PM Eastern
OCT 17: The Lost Druid in Decatur, GA @ 7:00 – 9:00 PM EDT
OCT 22: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:00 – 9 PM EDT. This is not a public concert. You can buy Tickets right now for just $8. Find details in the shownotes.
28:33 – SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If you enjoy the music in this show, please show your support. Buy music or merch. Follow me on streaming. And tell a friend.
Streaming music gives you a quick and easy way to sample my 23 albums. Digital sales keep my business running. Tips and CD sales allow me to tour and have online concerts. Kickstarter funds the production of physical products like CDs, shirts, and other merch. And Patreon funds my songwriting!
Join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. Your support pays for the production and promotion of my music and this podcast. Follow the link in the shownotes.
Special thanks to my newest patrons: LP Chan, Minchowski, Rebekah Martin, Carol Donahue
29:41 – SONG: “I’ll Drink from Dusk Til Dawn” from Happy Songs of Death
Pub Songs Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or to my website where you can subscribe to my mailing list. I’ll email you regular updates of new music and podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #togetherness #krabbeconnect
PUB CHAT
Any Meerkats wrote: “Why don't kids and teens EVER seem to play the autoharp? When i look on Youtube, it's always older people in their thirties or more. I don't see any youthful looking people playing it. Is it really bad for a kid to play that instrument? Even more weird, I'm 16 and really autistic, so i act like a kid. It somehow fits my weird personality in the most unique way, but most people would only associate the sound as background music for me, they would be surprised if i could actually play it too.”
That’s a good question. I know it is a great instrument for kids. But I can think of at least two reasons.
First it is typically associated with folk music. Not to say you can’t play anything on it. You can. Look up autoHarpers on YouTube and you’ll find a bunch of younger people playing Pop songs and what not But it is a stigma.
Second, it is a heavy instrument. It might be a bit big for many kids. I do know there is a luthier in California and makes what’s called the sparrow autoharp. It is smaller and lightweight. Not the best sound as far as I’m concerned, but it’s a great introductory instrument.
I taught at the California autoharp gathering a few years back. They do a lot of youth outreach. We taught some kids. But even there it seems most kids probably would rather learn to play the guitar.
I’m with you though. I love the sound of the instrument but I also feel like it fits my weird personality. I love that I play an instrument that few other people play. And I can also honestly say that no one in the world plays the autoharp like I do.
My suggestion is that you just start playing it. Figure out its strengths and weaknesses. Make it your own. You can do some brilliant things on the instrument.
Find out more about Autoharp music here.
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