John McDermott (Canadian) - Song for the Mira

[00baygirl00]

still brings a tear to my eye.. Oh how i miss being back home=/

[jamesrfraser1]

Re: LightTheWay2012, the majority never has an IQ above 100. Mine is 185. He sucks!

[Trancemaniac3000]

I sang this in high school with women's choir

[australianfan]

Beautiful easy listening love the video thanks for the share strawman8..

[kelticmick]

A Great Song and very well done by john, My Husband Mick Feeney "Kelticmick" Has just put up a version of the Song hope you will visit ,and also hope you like his version Good luck john In all you do, Maureen Feeney

[landl47]

This is a great song by Allister McGillivray, a wonderful Nova Scotia songwriter. His work deserves to be better known.

[HillsBru]

Great job -- great song! What a way to relax from a hectic afternoon.  Thanks.

[McKissackMusic]

Actually, he is Scottish and transplanted to Nova Scotia

He has one one the best 'Croonin' celtic voices ever..........

[macrosent]

@McKissackMusic -Hi there! If you expand my notes about this post, I included a short bio about John McDermott. Yes, he is indeed Scottish by BIRTH...his parents were both Irish and had moved to Scotland. His family then immigrated to Canada. I agree completely with your assessment of his "croonin" abilities!

[strawman8]

Such a great song about life on the Mira in Cape Breton ,sung by the awesome voice of John McDemott and his wonderful background music.Thanks for sharing .

[HillsBru]

What a fine song and performance. I heard Anne Murray perform this as well and what an opportunity for a duet. GREAT JOB Mr. McDermott!!

[18martyk]

I am truly shocked at the comments by Lighttheway. This is a beautiful song by an excellent, Canadian singer. Keep up the good work, John!

[anaki96]

What is it about YouTube that emboldens the nasty in people. You don't like something, just listen to something else man!

[nashbored1231]

:O American Airlines!

[macrosent]

Apologies to you folks for the last comment posted by "LightTheWay2010" that contained some "salty," non family-friendly language. I removed it as quickly as I saw it, and barred him from making any further comments on any of my posts. I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

[LightTheWay2012]

Here's another opinion for ya, I personally can't stand John McDermott's singing. To many of us down home he sounds like the Canadian version of Lawrence Welk but having a furball, but hey that's just another "opinion" And I totally agree with Doug's comments below. Macrosent, as a musician and a songwriter, if you think other versions of this song sound similar, you need to get your hearing checked, no offense, go listen to the Barra Macneils or the Rankins when you have a chance.

[macrosent]

@LightTheWay2012 Wow, if you can't stand John McDermott's singing, then why did you even bother opening this post, let alone comment on it? I like most types of music except rap and hip-hop. But you won't find me making negative comments about a rapper or anyone who likes that genre. I am not a critic who feels the need to denigrate anyone who doesn't share my opinions. Different strokes. Most have made positive comments about John's songs, so you appear to be in the minority.

[LightTheWay2012]

@macrosent Blow it out your ear Pal.... you're just full of hot air....

[macrosent]

@LightTheWay2012 Thanks! You just proved my point.

[macrosent]

@LightTheWay2012 By the way - I like the music of the Rankins AND Barra Macneils. But please, don't punish yourself further by listening to any more of McDermott's music. Life is too short. Find something you enjoy to occupy your time. Peace to you.

[LightTheWay2012]

I'm from Cape Breton, this is not the best and original version let me tell ya!



[macrosent]

@LightTheWay2012 I'm sure that John wouldn't want to record any song that sounded like the "original" version by the original artist. Neither would Ann Murray or any of the other artists who have recorded this song. With regard to it not being the "best" version, well, you know what they say about opinions...

[funnygirl100heyjude]

@LightTheWay2012 Aww jealous! i LOVE the maritime provinces

[hawickman]

I will come to where my Dad is from PEI proud to be from the mud and more than proud to stand before the Maple Leaf and My Socottish flag

[maryredmond]

Brilliant.

I am from the maritimes, only miles from the Mira. Very well done. Anyone who doesn't get that may not know the Mira so well.

Mary

[stefansmom]

thank you for posting this:) I'm a native born bluenoser and my late grandmother used to sing this to me as a young girl. I have sung this song to my son every night since the night he was born as a lullaby and to some people it might seem overly sappy but unless you live in Nova scotia and see the true beauty and get to know the people here you will miss out on the friendliness and instant family you gain here:) God Bless.

[stefansmom]

thank you for posting this as a native born bluenoser i have always loved this son, my grandmother used to sing this to me as a lullaby as a young girl, i have sung it to my son every night since the night he was born. I guess being a nova scotian and being surrounded by beauty that most take for granted is sappy.. but god John Mc Dermott does a nice job:)

[RagMama123]

Wonderful clip! I love it! John McDermott is great. This reminds me of a trip we took to Nova Scotia many years ago.

Rick

[dougd1015]

Why can't we get the non sappy movie version, instead we have to hear this Patrick Duffy look alike.

Still enjoyable though, makes me feel like I'm walking on Marion Bridge when my eyes are closed.

[macrosent]

@dougd1015 - I have listened to several versions of this song by Anne Murray and others, and most sound very similar. I am sure if you search hard enough, you can find a "non-sappy" version of this song, whoever recorded it. I am NOT sure what it will make you "feel like" after listening to it, and whether or not it will help you with your Patrick Duffy issues. Good luck with that.

[dougd1015]

No thanks, I really appreciate it.

I found the version but I think its only available via the film itself, its actually sung by the movie cast.

[Cesard666]

@dougd1015 Who's Patrick Duffy?

[dougd1015]

An American Television actor.

You might know him from the show Dallas?

[charliemiddlebrook]

@dougd1015 Sorry Doug. For some of us the sappier the better.  Sweet and sentimental works best for us.

[dougd1015]

I suppose so, I've felt the same before.

[dougd1015]

For a moment there I thought that was Patrick Duffy singing, and I was like "Hey it Bobbie singing from Dallas!"

[deppnut1]

Love this song, it brings back so many great memories. Spent a week in Marion Bridge visiting relatives in July. Visited every summer growing up and loved it so much I ended up spending a year. I would sit on the floor while my Uncles would play this song on the fiddle, guitar & piano and the others would sing this song.

[mostfortune8]

My most fav "down east" song!

[TheTexn]

Even in Texas there are people who enjoy this music very much. The acid test is, will the cows take to it ? Very little humor. I know. I know,

[hordolmer]

does anyone know the name of the song that goes like "i got a cold tin penny in my hand. it's a quarter to one, and the fun's just begun. seeinging songs of the mira...."? If so, let me know!

[jc3494]

Wonderful and peaceful song by a great performer.

Thank you for posting.

[olderngod]

Such a sweet and simple song, so well done by an extremely talented singer. The personal touch added by the video is very heart-warming.

[Candymanshive80]

This is a very pretty version of this song. I do prefer the way the bard of cornwall sings it but thanks for the post I really enjoyed this!

[monegroval87]

Beautiful song. My favorite version is Ann Murray. Is that bad? I burried my mother to this song. It was her favorite. I have a hard time hearing it but cant stop listining. Cheers

[ArtNatureMusic]

Great song and singing 5*

[themidnightjudge1]

My favorite version of this is still one done by a school chorus. Probably because that was the first time I heard and fell in love with the song.

[MsCarlisings]

we are singing this song in chorus!

[HannahShen12]

Saw him in CNE

[AugustaRomania]

macrosent,

Oh, my Gosh, isn't this wonderful?! Special music (some Irish influences included) and great lyrics! Thank you so much for posting!

[bobbyzz94]

wonderful song - wonderful pictures

kind regards from Germany

[Songbirdofpeace]

I like this song and John did it his way! It's simply wonderful!

Full of childhood feelings!

I wish I was there singing with Him...

[jbrandiwine]

Perhaps one day this concert will be one of your fondest, dearest memories of something you've shared with your parents. When we lose our parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and we are orphans of this Earth, we look back tenderly upon things that once seemed ordinary, silly, or even unpleasant. :) I hope you are able to enjoy the beauty of the man's voice, and the richness of history in the songs, but if not, enjoy having family beside you who love you.

[00JTM]

This is a great song!! I love it so much!!

John McDermott is a wonderful singer I love his music so much!!!

[GooberNS]

I miss my home... I've traveled alot of the world, and I haven't seen anything like the Mira at the crack of dawn. We would jump of Marion Bridge every summer, and swim in the Gut.

[yaltroz]

Macrosent,

Thanks for putting up such a great video:) He does a great job on this song:)

[butteminers]

We made a point of crossing Marion Bridge on our vacation to Cape Breton from Montana last August.

[yaltroz]

He has a great voice:) Thanks for putting this video up Macrosent:)

[beyondhere]

Brilliant!!!!!!!

[Emsta]

We sung this in year 6... almostten years ago. My mum's loved it ever since

[wilmaohman]

he has such a beautiful voice.he,ronan and andrew were great together as the irish tenors.

[susanmudgee]

Thanks Mac. Had never heard this one from John McDermott.

[Nashcountryboy]

Is John still performing? I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Blarney Stone Restaurant just outside Pittsburgh and also in Nashville with the symphony, but haven't heard from him in a few years.

[ranyan2007]

Does anyone know why it keeps freezing its preventing me from really seeing it

[macrosent]

Sorry ranyan, I wish I could help. Yours is the first comment for any of my videos claiming difficulties in playback. If you are trying to play in high-quality mode, you may want to try standart mode. You might also immediately pause the playback to let the whole video load-up before resuming play. I hate to sound like a jerk, but since no other similar problems have been reported, it may be an unknown problem on your end. Good luck.

[rockgor]

The Irish (Uilleann) bagpipes are named after the elbow (it says in Wikipedia) because the player squeezes the bag.

My own ancestors came from Ireland but had a Scottish name, so I guess they moved around a bit. The great Irish tenor John McCormack was born in Ireland, but his parents came from Scotland.

Always great to hear John McDermott.

Thanks for posting.

[macrosent]

Thanks for the info, "rockgor." Cheers!

[Nashcountryboy]

Can anyone tell me the exact name of the instrument at 1:31. Is it the Aeollian Pipes?

[macrosent]

Hi there! As best as I can tell, the instrument is a set of Uilleann pipes of indeterminate breed. In fact, one of your "favs" is a video by Zac Leger playing a very similar set. Thanks for watching and for your question! -Mac

[earthenly]

Mom explained to me that flowers of the forest meant that the men who died were buried on the spot where they fell. I know that this happened back in Scotland's history but I'm not sure if it occurred anywhere else. We are Clan MacDonald. The MacDonalds & the Campbells fought it out in Scotland.

[macrosent]

Hi Terry. Thanks for the tip about Mike Oldfield's version of "Flowers of the Forest" - I have just ordered his "Voyager" CD. A little research indicates that Oldfield interpolated "the Mingulay Boat Song" into this rendition, and this is the "pipes" version of the song. McDermott sings the folk song version on his CD "Remembrance", and I like that one as well. As for Clan Campbell, history tells us those traitorous pigs fought with everybody for their own gain. Research "Massacre at Glencoe".

[earthenly]

Hi. Thanks for informing me about the Massacre at Glencoe. Mom knows a tremendous amount of history about these things but I am one to forget most of what is explained to me. She is a true history buff & explains it better than most teachers. I will check out the massacre on youtube(I know there is a song about it). You are very informed! You are way ahead of me, lol. I will also check out the Mingulay Boat Song. Try the Rankins (Rankin Family). Fare Thee Well is a great song of theirs.

[macrosent]

Yes. Do a Google search followed by a Wikipedia search for "Glencoe" or "Massacre at/of Glencoe. The song "Massacre of Glencoe" has been released by many folk groups (like the Corries) and soloists (like John McDermott). The story of Glencoe is one that no MacDonald should EVER forget.

[earthenly]

Flowers of the Forest by Mike Oldfield is a very beautiful memorial tune to the men of war. It is on youtube. I have always loved that tune but never knew the name of it. I only found out this summer as I am visiting my Mom & stepfather in the Boston area. I hope that you check this tune out if you haven't already. The pics made me fill up with tears & deep thoughts of those who have experienced this suffering. It is sad for everyone involved. May God watch over us all! Terry

[earthenly]

Do you have the song Sonny's Dream by McDermott? His version of it is the best. It was written and performed by Ron Hynes of Newfoundland as well as other singers. You should check out Lukey's Boat by Great Big Sea. This is a "great tune" video done by them with the Chieftans. Take care. Thanks for posting. I am off to listen to Skye Boat Song, another one of my favorites by McDermott.

[macrosent]

Yes, I have almost ALL of John's CDs and DVDs. "Sonny's Dream" is on his "Love Is a Voyage" CD, as is "No Change in Me", one of my other McDermott favorites. Being an American Veteran, I am particularly fond of "The Wall", a song about the Viet Nam War Memorial, that is on his "Remembrance" CD. Thanks again for all of your nice comments!

[earthenly]

Hi again. Thanks for responding. I'm sorry that you & others suffered through the traumas of war. My dad fought in the battle of anzio, WW2. He never talked much about it, was wounded, & had post traumatic stress disorder. His best friend died alongside him, first taking a bullet through the chin, then the head. Dad wished to remember him by naming me after him. His name was Terence, mine Terena(female). Like Terence, I am called Terry.

[earthenly]

Hi. Are you originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia? The Mira that John Mcdermott is singing about is a short distance from Sydney on Cape Breton Island. You can find a lot of your scottish roots on youtube. Type in Cape Breton. I live about 45 minutes from Mira. Others who do this song are Matt Minglewood, Anne Murray, etc. My grandmother Mary MacDonald(Beaton) was a very well-known traditional scottish fiddle player there. Her daughter, Mary Jessie MacDonald, a well-known piano player.

[macrosent]

And g'day to you! No, I am a Yank, born and bred. I am just a huge fan of John McDermott. But I do try to add as much info as I can in the right column about my postings, covering the history of the songs, etc. Just click on the blue "More info" link that appears below my YouTube name. Thanks a lot for viewing my posts and for your comments!