Pub Songs & Stories #319: The Dead Won’t Rest: Unquiet Grave and Binnorie-O

A ghost who won’t let the dead rest. A drowned sister and a harp made of bone. And a toast to good health. Pub Songs & Stories brings you the stories behind the songs, from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. Music from House of Hamill, Kilted Kings, Louise Bichan.

This is Pub Songs & Stories #319

0:20 – House of Hamill “Unquiet Grave” from Wildfire

5:00 – WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES

Your backstage pass to Celtic songwriters and the stories they’d only tell you after a few pints. I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic songwriter and also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

If you’re new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather.

5:46 – TODAY’S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY MY GUNN RUNNERS OF PATREON

The regular music business is beholden to big corporations that are raising ticket prices and making the business ever more difficult. But with your help, I don’t have to worry about that stuff. I make music, podcasts, videos, and blogs. I share them with you. In return, you show a little support by pledging as little as $5 per month to help me keep doing what I do.

HERE’S WHAT’S NEW ON PATREON IN OCTOBER

7:20 – CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC

The podcast launches on October 25. I dug into the archives of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast as part of a 2026 Fundraiser. The show is trying to raise $2000 to cover all of the expenses of putting on the show. If you would like to donate go to CelticChristmasMusic.net/donate

9:21 – BATTLE OF THE BARD SONGS

Brobdingnagian Bards new podcast series is now live. In this first series The Bards pick their favorite Irish Pub Songs, then battle them out until a winner is picked. BardBootlegs.com

9:58 – UPCOMING SHOWS

  • Oct 31: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga
  • Nov 7: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga
  • Nov 6 & 8: CONjuration, Duluth, Ga
  • Nov 14: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga
  • Nov 28: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga
  • Dec 5: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga
  • Dec 6: Nerdy Wonderland, Avondale Estates, Ga

11:06 – PUB SONGS & STORIES VIDEO

Raise your glass: here’s a toast to good health, good friends, and the craythur that calls us all to the pub. Welcome to Pub Songs & Stories audio edition. I share a song I’ve recorded followed by the story behind it.

11:39 – Kilted Kings “Sláinte Mhaith” from Flower of Scotland

Slainte mhaith. Slainte mhaith

Here's to your good health one and all

If you're soul feels rather thirsty

And you hear the craythur call

Raise up your glass

Sing Slainte mhaith

Many times in my life

I forgot the kindness code

I reaped the sorry seeds that I sowed

But when I gave, instead of took

That's when my spirit growed

My charity turned into liquid gold

Your work weeks’s a bare

You’re feeling rather low

You head down to the pub to watch a show

There the singer makes you smile

And the music makes you glow

Go to KiltedKings.com before you go

If there’s a song you’d like to see me perform, email follow@celtfather to make a live song request. Some, I will post here on the podcast. Some will be video only.

13:41 – STORY: Sláinte Mhaith

19:42 – TODAY’S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS

Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. 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 me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos.

Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com.

Come hike with me on the Isle of Skye in 2027.

20:39 – STORY FROM LOUISE BICHAN

Louise Bichan grew up in the Orkney islands off the north coast of Scotland, and she picked up the fiddle when she was just seven years old. She sharpened her skills in Glasgow’s session scene while studying at the Glasgow School of Art, then earned a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Today she’s a Scottish musician and photographer living in the United States, and she uses both to tell stories, old and new. Her music blends traditional and classical arrangements, and it’s thoughtful, curious, and playful all at once.

22:11 – Louise Bichan “Binnorie-O” from Binnorie-O

26:48 – CREDITS

Thanks for listening to Pub Songs & Stories. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen.

You can follow and listen to the show on my Patreon or wherever you find podcasts. Sign up to my mailing list at follow@celtfather to learn more about songs featured in this podcast and discover where I’m performing.

Sláinte, and thanks for listening.

Join the Quest and Sing Along at www.pubsong.com!

 

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