Song picture
On St Patrick's day
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A song for the CBC St Patrick's Day challenge
alternative progressive pop rock metal
Artist picture
New band name for my one man band. The ancient form of my first name.
My name is Holger Luth. I was about 15 years old, when I got my first guitar. Actually it belonged to an older friend, but the never played it, so he let me borrow it. I had been taking piano lessons earlier, but I hated it. The most fun I had with the piano, was to create my own little tunes. i was no good at repetitive rehearsing. It has been the same with my guitar playing. Many of my guitar playing friends, spent hours rehearsing technical stuff. I never had the patience for that, I just did what I thought sounded right. My mind was more directed towards songwriting, than towards being the guitar hero, though I did like to play neverending live solos, long enough to make the bass player make puking sounds and the drummer start throwing sticks at me... I played in both small and larger bands with up to 8-9 people, with violins, flutes and lots of other instruments, but I think my best time in a band, was playing in a three piece. It was in the aftermath of Police, British New Wave, the Danish Punk scene, Danish songwriters like C.V. Jorgensen and many more. You had to invent a lot of new "big" chords, in order to create a bigger sound, being the only guitarist ( and lead singer). Later I started listening a lot to bands like U2, The Cure, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk and most of all Peter Gabriel. Peter is like my guiding star. I have had the luck of seeing him in concert a couple of times in the recent years and even if he has gained a few pounds and is called "Papa Bear" by his bass player, he can still sing better than anyone I know. His voice is directly wired to his heart, it's like every word has its' own set of wings and flies out of his mouth, carrying an important message. Wish I could get anywhere near that! My musical taste has developed over the years and I try out a lot of different genres, out of curiosity and because I get inspired by other musicians, here on SC and by other friends in music. I have 3 sons, that are all engaged in music somehow and they have also inspired me a lot. They have a totally different take on the term "Musician", than I have and I find it inspiring and I am amazed at the multifaceted way they can tackle the tasks of a songwriter, producer and musician. I must admit, that my music sounds a little old fashioned compared to music of today, but what the heck.. I am from 1957, I grew up with Beatles, Stones, Kinks, The Who, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Jefferson Airplane, The Band, Bob Dylan.. need I say more?
Song Info
Genre
Pop Pop Rock
Charts
Peak #26
Peak in subgenre #2
Author
Holger
Rights
Holger
Uploaded
March 16, 2012
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.3 MB 160 kbps 3:43
Story behind the song
I was first inspired by the picture Jude put up for this challenge. A man in a green coat wearing a hat with shamrocks on it, playing an electric guitar. Then I sat back and wondered what irish music meant to me. It's folk music like the Dubliners, of course, but it's also U2, a band that has been a major musical influence to me. I adore The Edge - noone else can play such simple guitar licks and still sound like a god. Well, maybe Pete Townshend and a few others, but still.... Anyway - the challenge was due on St Patrick's day, so I set out to investigate what kind of a strange character he must have been. It seems that there has been some dispute between the irish government, who wanted St Patrick's day to be the "greatest event on earth" and the Irish priests, who claimed that St Patrick was a holy man and should not be celebrated by people getting drunk and throwing up all over the place.... There is also some dispute about the historical facts about St Patrick, but it seems that St. Patrick was born in 385 AD somewhere along the west coast of Britain, possibly in the Welsh town of Banwen. He was taken and sold as a slave in Ireland, he somehow escaped and went to France to become a priest. He then eventually returned to the green island to christen the irish savages. They liked him so much, that they made him a saint, but he was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church. Hence the lyrics and the song progression, where I've tried to blend all the above ingredients into my version of an Irish stew :0)
Lyrics
I read the stories about a slave. How he was sold, how he escaped. And later he returned – a holy man. To Christianize the Irish pagans. To shine his light into their darkness. And miracles did happen in his path On St Patrick’s Day. Today we celebrate this man, We dress in green and we get drunk. Everybody’s Irish on this day. But let us not forget his story. How he fought to end all slavery. How he became a saint in old Ireland. On St Patrick’s Day. Let us celebrate. On St Patrick’s Day. Let us sing along. A symbol of the Trinity. The shamrock is St Patty’s sign. Today it’s seen in all parts of the world. I don’t think Patty did foresee, The kind of feast, he came to be. The greatest celebration on The Earth. On St Patrick’s Day. Let us celebrate. On St Patrick’s Day. Let us sing along.
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Comments 16
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ALEXIS PATRICK
Jul 17, 2012
So lovely, the story in the song. Excellent work!!!!!!!!
MJBerg
May 03, 2012
A song U2 would be proud of! Great production in all aspects. Very nicely played guitars, nice vocals. You're very good at giving all instruments (and vocals of course) their space, and place;). Cheers, Mauri. I enjoyed this a lot
This is truly a wonderful song, Holger! Your vocal and playing are perfect...and the lyrics are also very special. A FANTASTIC song for the CBC Celtic/Irish Song Challenge. Please give us more of your GREAT music in the future. And thank you for the download of this extraordinary St. Patrick's Day Song.
Ziggophon
Mar 21, 2012
You´ve really nailed the very spirit of this special day with your lyrics and music, GREAT job :o)
Finnski
Mar 21, 2012
This is sounding great! what a wonderful song.
The Smivets
Mar 20, 2012
Yeah I hear the U2 influence but this is a true original. I love story songs and this is a cracker - you did your research and made it fit the tune so well. Great production, superb vocals and that bassline is amazing. Great work Holger!
Mary Clare Springer
Mar 20, 2012
Wow Holger...what a song you've produced. Excellent guitars, vocals...everything! And you tell the story of the day as well...outstanding!!
Pinecats
Mar 20, 2012
One of the finest tracks at the challenge. Excellent writing and a great arrangement. Wonderful dynamics, skilled playing, pro singing and killer production. This has it all...top shelf work Holgar. I hear the U2 influence but it's very original. Sweet bass lines! Ace!!
Joe Hill
Mar 19, 2012
Well crafted song with great vocals and excellent production!
Michael Bennett
Mar 19, 2012
One of my favorites from the challenge! I also liked reading what you wrote for "about the song". Thanks for your comments on The Tools too!
Jonsson
Mar 18, 2012
Fantastic song Holger ! I really enjoyed this :o)
Ascenzion - Al Massey
Mar 18, 2012
Blarney!!! I really enjoyed this track. Your vocal performance is spot on. Excellent in every way. A very joyful Irish celebration indeed.
VMP (USA)
Mar 18, 2012
Informative AND rockin'! Must admit I couldn't take the suspense and came to hear this yesterday afternoon, blown away by it actually. Amazing concept executed to perfection, the closing rollicking pub atmosphere brings the idea right home, nailed, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael Duran
Mar 18, 2012
Love the way you incorporated the story/history in this Holger, and all to a great Celtic flavored rocker with an infectious melody :D Bravo!
littlegreenman
Mar 17, 2012
Great Edge-style guitar parts on this one Holger! And a wonderful little Hoot'n'Nanny breakdown, you sure you're not part-Irish? ;) Nice one :)
Carlo D'Anna
Mar 17, 2012
Wonderful tune. Very well produced and sung with vivid character!