Cheers!
An Irish Blessing...
Famous Irish toasts often combine themes of friendship, wit, and longevity, frequently invoked with the phrase Sláinte (health)l
- "May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead!"
- "I drink to your health when I'm with you, I drink to your health when I'm alone, I drink to your health so often, I'm starting to worry about my own!".
- "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back"
About the Music
It was time for a tune featuring the Fife (Penny Whistle)... This melody just came to me when whistling early in the morning one day. (I suspect it might be something already written - does anybody recognize it? If so, please let me know.)
I snuck a bit of live frame drum in with the Casio Congas. It a happy tune -- cheers to all listeners and lift a mug of beer to celebrate! 
Instrumentation:
- Casio PX-S3000 - Congas, Shaker, Acoustic Bass
- Roland JV-880 - Acoustic Guitar
- Roland MKS-20 - Electric Piano
© Richard Coffey - All Rights Reserved
About the Penny Whistle
The penny whistle originated because could be purchased for a penny years ago. The name "tin-whistle" name was also coined as early as 1825 but neither the tin whistle nor the penny whistle name seems to have been common until the 20th century. Gaining popularity as a folk instrument in the early 19th-century Celtic music revivals, penny whistles now play an integral part in several folk traditions and are is the most popular instrument in Irish traditional music today.
About Irish Blessings
(click to expand/collapse)
Irish Blessings
Irish blessings have a long and storied history, with roots that stretch back centuries. These beautiful and poetic blessings have been passed down through generations of Irish families, and have become an important part of Irish culture and tradition.
Irish blessings are typically short poems or prayers that are meant to convey a message of hope, happiness, and good fortune. They often feature beautiful imagery and symbolism drawn from the natural world.
The spread and popularity of these blessings are largely due to the Irish diaspora in the 19th and 20th centuries, as Irish communities in America, Australia, and Britain held onto these expressions of faith and heritage.
- Learn to Smile -
We cannot share this sorrow
If we haven't grieved a while.
Nor can we feel another's joy
Until we've learned to smile.
- The Dreams You Hold Dearest -
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
And the kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.
- Always Remember -
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
- Saving Grace -
Grant me a sense of humor, Lord,
The saving grace to see a joke,
To win some happiness from life,
And pass it on to other folk.