Lankum - The Old Man From Over The Sea

[@tuomashelin555]

I was born in the 60's, so bear with me :) I might drone a bit.. I was a "wee lad" in the seventies, when folk music was #thefashion and my parents took our whole family to the (back then) popular Kaustinen Folk Music Festival Finland. All I can remember from that was the shit of the horses in the parade and eating pea soup, that was dripping with sweat from ceiling of the tent , due to condensation.. and of course the music that was played with the sincere gravity of expression.. note after note.. stone faced. Interpretation was a curse word. Now, with Lankum I'm discovering the amazing contradictions in that music - and I love it. Don't get me wrong, I don't find Lankum gloomy, not.at.all. I think they bring out the true meaning of "folk music": stories of how people lived their lives and found their say in the events - with musical interpretation, irony and all.

[@audreymckenna5000]

Just found out today this young lady is my cousins young daughter , She's Amazing , So proud listening to her . Brilliant singers in this group . Extremely talented .

[@Bingbangboompowwham]

Nice

[@Destruction320]

Damn, she's not exactly a young child, how come you had no idea she existed? I thought family relations in Ireland sill held true and strong.

[@chrisphobia]

@@Destruction320 What the fuck gave you that idea? (-: Most of us can't stand one another

[@reddwing4368]

K5555555555555nice won people er people all over this crazy world

[@johnburke3348]

chris fleming you can choose your friends, but your stuck with your fucking relations

[@jabrwoky1]

Amazing stuff. As an American, I can hear in her singing and the fiddling the sounds of many old songs and tunes from Appalachia. Can't get enough!

[@discoverydavid]

T'other way round...where d'ye think Appalachains came from?

[@oldrikky]

So much music came from the old countries ,and grew further in the usa.

[@admiralchancey]

@@discoverydavid I think that’s what they are saying. As an American a lot of us can hear the roots of bluegrass and American folk from music like this. A lot of the folks who settled in Appalachia were Ulster Scots-Irish and they brought with them a lot of cultural identity thats become characteristic of the region.

[@discoverydavid]

@@admiralchancey "As a non-American"...no wuckin forries, just taking a little of the ol' proverbial, z'all.

[@TheRavenlhelix]

It's really awesome hearing how folk music halfway around the world is similar to folk music in Bengal as well

[@lallyoisin]

Play around with Aryan and Erin and you'll figure out why! Take it easy on those redheads you bully in your land!

[@funnycarrot]

Can you recommend some Bengali folk music? Very curious to hear something that sounds like this

[@sacha9112]

I listened to this song and wrote a poemish piece: You asked me what kept me well, How did I cope with myself through all these years? Whom did I tell the tales of my fantasy? Whom did I sang my favorite songs to? With whom did I yearn for bliss and better life? Whom did I show pretty clouds of the autumn and many-coloured leaves? Whom did I warmed up in the winter and who warmed up to me? Who comforted and consoled me in my hardships? Who shared my happinesses? Who ran with me knee deep into the sea foam of the summer? Who swam with me in the lukewarm water staring at the moon? Who brought the towels to keep me warm on the shore? Who cooked me food when I was ravenous but didn't have time? Who told me it was ok to be lazy once in a while and settled my rhythms just right? The truth is - no one did, and you don't either. It's me who is asking, and in that pity wallowing, isn't there a bit of sadness?

[@tomrengert1221]

Das ist gut

[@sacha9112]

@@tomrengert1221 Thank you!

[@tomrengert1221]

Sorry, for disliked. It was accident. You have good poem writing.

[@sacha9112]

@@tomrengert1221 I didn't know you disliked! It doesn't matter to me that much. It was just an impulse. Thanks though!

[@tomrengert1221]

@@sacha9112 Ja!

[@jpof]

0:00: The Old Man From Over the Sea 4:20: The Kitchen Girl 6:30: Angeline the Baker Thanks to the knowledgeable commenters for tune names!

[@Slarti2]

There was an old man come over the sea Aye, but I'll not have him There was an old man come over the sea Come snivelling, snuffling, over on me With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother she told me to bid him come in Aye, but I'll not have him My mother she told me to bid him come in And he giggled and dribbled all over his chin With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother she told me to give him a stool Aye, but I'll not have him My mother she told me to give him a stool Well I gave him a stool and he sat like a fool With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother she told me to give him some cake Aye, but I'll not have him My mother she told me to give him some cake And the silly old fool wriggled just like a snake With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother she told me to pass him the sugar Aye, but I'll not have him My mother she told me to pass him the sugar And he shivvelled and shovelled it down like a bugger With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother she told me to take him to bed Aye, but I'll not have him My mother she told me to take him to bed And the daft old devil nigh stood on his head With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother told me to show him what to do Aye, but I'll not have him My mother told me to show him what to do But the silly old cod couldn’t learn how to screw With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking My mother she told me to bid him farewell Aye, but I'll not have him My mother she told me to bid him farewell Well I bid him farewell and I wished him in hell With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking There was an old man came over the sea Aye, but I'll not have him There was an old man came over the sea Came snivelling, snuffling, over on me With his long grey beard, with his long grey beard A‐shivering and shaking

[@fivetwoeight528]

Wicked cant stop listening. I often wondered what would happen to Irish trad music when the greats have gone ,Lankum are a start to Irish pride in words,music and sound. God bless.

[@NoHandle678]

fortunately, the greats stood on the shoulders of the greats, showing those who would follow, where to stand.

[@coldmanblues1446]

I heard this song in a dream one day and I had never heard it before. It took me hours until I found this song which was the exact song in my dream. It just shows how we can be connected all over the world

[@barryburkeura]

Seeing them this Thursday, be jealous ✌

[@mrkdrm]

I am.

[@MrDamoune]

This band is freaking brilliant.

[@needleseye2914]

This is my new favourite band.

[@karenvarian1174]

Mine too. Check out You Are Wolf, if you haven't heard them yet

[@GoldenGladiolas]

The best, coolest, most socially conciencous and musically talented people in the world!!! (But that’s just my opinion)…😂❤ 6:08

[@Kloppsserialbottlers]

After seeing Radie for the first time on Aint No Disco, I think I'm in love.

[@Gallboynarossan]

Join the club

[@johnburke3348]

Gallboynarossan there’s a queue, and it’s growing !

[@jeremiahspiller]

I'm there with you

[@keithbate9405]

A great/traditional English folk song sung beautifully by the best traditional /modern Irish folk/pop I have heard for over 40 years

[@talonsoftheraven6693]

+Keith Bate true words keith, just heard these guys for first time they are Excellent!

[@keithbate9405]

+Talons of the Raven Thanks Raven And you know that they are not just a "traditional covers" band. The brilliant track "cold old fire " was written by them and I rated their (2015) album second only to the coruscating genius (IMO) of Low's album

[@talonsoftheraven6693]

Keith Bate im in folk heaven right now checking out all their vids now, cant believe ive never herd of them before, they have a great mix of all my fav folk bands rolled into one, cant wait to go see them live, 10/10 in my book, cheers keith!

[@keithbate9405]

+Talons of the Raven I missed them on their last UK tour . So like you I want to see them live asap Never know Might see you there . Be there or be square (LOL)

[@talonsoftheraven6693]

+Keith Bate never been square in my life ;-)

[@aidenpower1844]

Maith an cailin.... agus na buachailli! What a voice followed by the trad gale force that's follows. Top notch. Slainte!

[@irkorpus]

wish i could like this more times

[@raysmith8249]

I love this. With my long grey beard a' shivering and a' shaking.

[@karenvarian1174]

LOL!!! Amazing song.

[@karenvarian1174]

What an amazing rendition of this song. I love her voice. Excellent. Thank you from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

[@stanmenshic8993]

Lankum are 4 completely brilliant musicians & composers that have opened sunlight into the dark sky

[@criostoiroloingsigh9409]

Saw these guys in concert for the first time In Vicker Street earlier this month and was totally blown away! So so looking forward to their next gig!

[@lucagiuberti682]

Looking forward to see them live in October in the town of Bologna, Italy. They are pure dead brilliant

[@DanaidhB]

Each musicians legs and arms move like perfectly synchronised pistons of musical genius and m as choke like work. This band are my favourite band since I ever first heard of them in 2020, you guys should be more famous ✌🏼🤘🏼🙏🏼✊🏼 Love this song!

[@Machihekamake]

You have a new fan from Los Angeles , California!! Great ensemble. I've been listening to music from around the world since before the internet, but now the world is finally connected

[@Channelbelow]

This is so fecking good!

[@andyspencer1077]

wow, just found this group.........Brilliant !

[@Bingbangboompowwham]

Listen to granite gaze from them

[@OpreRoma]

Saw these guys supporting Sleaford Mods in Camden in... 2019 i think? Wasn't expecting a great folk gig before the Mods but that's what we got ❤️

[@daviddishman7491]

Fine quality folk. Proper musicians.

[@eoinue]

nice one lads some top notch choonage

[@samvermeulen9740]

Oh yeah, they're coming to Belgium. Luckily I just ordered the CD from their site so I can prepare for this awesome game changing Folk band.

[@authormichellefranklin]

Sensational. So well done!

[@willoshaughnessy7719]

absolutely outstanding and brilliant

[@Thonolan000]

Just founds this yesterday... fantastic stuff.

[@corrindion]

Man that is great!!

[@MrXyzzy99]

Such a beautiful performance

[@justpaulette]

Love the intricacies of the hand accordion. And the wonderfully descriptive words.

[@m5177]

It's a concertina

[@babybloc]

This is just fantastic

[@Scoob505]

stunning

[@billyb6001]

Great song

[@thescoobymike]

God I need to learn the accordion. Mo Grandpap had one but I don't know whatever happened to it

[@tdbsnr]

Just beautiful. Stumbleon of the night. The middle part 4:49 - 6.30 reminds me slightly of the soulful Russian Hurdy Gurdy music. Album order on the way.

[@kaybell9778]

They will not leave me go home although I consider this home.

[@RexWaldron]

Bloody brilliant!!

[@johnwalsh3374]

Excellent performance!

[@etch.asketch2420]

Jeez, this band is so fucking good.

[@charlo-d2]

Deadly!

[@keithbate9405]

Just wonderful modern music !

[@DanDDirges]

I enjoyed listening very much

[@bettine6820]

So good!

[@discoverydavid]

I really like the progression...it would be cool to take it to a crescendo with a Baron kicking in after the guitar.

[@Klaudiusian]

that's 'bodhran'. Though, I agree, it does sound like 'Baron;.

[@Missomos]

Love it!

[@redbaron983]

She has nearby the same voice as Rosie Stewart! Love this group.

[@MacCionnaith]

Bualadh bos!

[@mallard4998]

Brilliant!

[@magicbean820]

such unusual voice

[@evebekker5296]

Best beard song ever

[@fivetwoeight528]

Poetry in motion

[@fivetwoeight528]

Words can do two things! Lift you up or tear you down.,?

[@victorjuliett2224]

love

[@hatfulloflove]

Does anyone have any links to other recording of this, from other than the lads?? Or know further history of the song My interest has been strung after seeing them play on Paddy's day and realising the music at the end doesn't sound quite Irish and after reading the comments below I have been led to believe it is an English folk song I also heard an Appalachian tune today called "craggy pinnacle" which sounds quite similar, seems I am being pulled to put the pieces together :P

[@flavortown7652]

craig peggs kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJzbiJyknL6drNU

[@hereinmyRedJar]

Is the 2nd tune they play Irish? To my American ears it sounds like the A part to Clinch Mountain Backstep and the B part to Kitchen Girl.

[@jacobmoore2420]

Jeremy Reinhard Most Appalachian music originates from Scots-Irish/English folk songs and tunes. I heard the same thing!

[@cjrukstad6500]

Makes me want to hear whatever the Irish equivalent of the backstep is lol

[@beckywhite4965]

The "B part" sounds like Angeline the Baker

[@InjuriousPersonalities]

I’ve read the lyrics but I can’t figure out what this song is about. Can someone shed some light ??

[@HladgerdKissinger]

An old man comes to the house of two women, a mother and daughter. The mother asks the daughter to welcome the old man in, feed him, and make love with the old man. He looks disgusting, has great trouble eating, and doesn't know how to make love any more. He goes away eventually, and the mother asks the daughter to say goodbye to the old man. The daughter tells the old man to go to hell. Apparently, it's a common theme in ancient songs, this idea of an old man trying to lay down with a young girl, which is supposed to be played for humour. On a side note, in Norse and Greek mythology too, Odin and Zeus, who are depicted as old men, sleep with many young women.

[@InjuriousPersonalities]

@@HladgerdKissinger yeah that’s pretty much what I gleaned from it. Thought there might be a backstory or something- honestly pretty creepy! Lol😅 But catchy, though

[@HladgerdKissinger]

@@InjuriousPersonalities Ah I guess one interesting fact is that the "mother and daughter" might not be real family, "mother" was often a euphemism used to describe an older prostitute who pimped out younger girls (their "daughters") to clients. Don't know if it's common to use these terms nowadays.

[@bobkirwan9877]

radie ya ride ✌

[@Destruction320]

I hope they will stay this great, though the pressure is often enormous. It's funny how sts the better you are in this world, the tougher it is for you to do your thing; or from another point of view, quite easier, for I doubt the popular 'artists' can truly do their thing, if they do have such a thing to begin with. Stay strong, good people, this shit is worth a million stars!

[@AnarchoCapitalistTV]

obtained a bootleg copy of the first album about 15 years ago? can that be?

[@conorokane6776]

Aye Darragh and Ian had an album out a good while back, few cracking songs on it too!

[@TheButlerjm]

Up with Frankie Armstrong's rendition !

[@unboxingpress]

wow!!

[@eggstu]

Im a fan

[@skausr]

Now called Lankum !!

[@ephre]

Can you get a copy of Cold Old Fire by Lankum? Mine is by Lynched.

[@erincowan5665]

Cormac is a beast.

[@Simplesimple123]

Ridie Peat . There, said it .

[@louderthangod]

Is this song really as dark as it seems or is there some other meaning or historical context I’m missing?

[@bennnnnjmennnnn]

It's just that dark. Here is the description from their website back when they were still called Lynched: We first heard this song from the singing of Frankie Armstrong on a Topic records LP titled The Bird in the Bush: Traditional Folk Songs of Love and Lust (12T135). It is popular throughout the Anglo-American tradition. We did come across one Irish version, ‘There Was an Old Man Came over the Hill’, which was noted from the singing of Dublin native Brendan Behan in 1957, by Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl for their book The Singing Island. According to The Penguin book of English Folk Songs, ‘The old man's courtship is an ancient joke of which country folk never seemed to tire’, and indeed the motif would also seem to be a common one in the Irish tradition. It is safe to say, however, that this is by far the most grotesque song on that theme that we have ever come across. We follow it up with two tunes from the American old-timey tradition, ‘The Kitchen Girl’ and ‘Angeline the Baker’. lynchedfolkmiscreants.bandcamp.com

[@bertaga41]

@@bennnnnjmennnnn There does seem to be a tradition of grotesque and cruel songs.The most unpleasant one I know of is King Knapperty ( recorded by Martin Carthy is the only version as far as I know). They hold a weird fascination which makes me want to listen to them but I can never decide whether I dare to perform them. It's hard to know where to draw the line. Superb performance btw.

[@barnyfraggles]

This inspired me to buy a violin. By god,it's so much difficult than a fret-based instrument. But, the more I play it, the less horrible it sounds.

[@elrossothematch]

Anyone have a name for the two tunes at the end?

[@beckywhite4965]

In the U.S. many bluegrass/folk/old-time musicians know these tunes as Clinch Mountain Backstep and Angeline the Baker.

[@reddwing4368]

Reminds me of planxty fer some reason

[@Lockole]

haha they just start playing shady grove out of no where

[@cjrukstad6500]

I recognized that as the clinch mountain back step

[@sorcha3811]

That fiddle strumming pattern is no easy feat !! Neither is Radie Peat's singing..

[@leadscientist__q5353]

The Collins ladies and gentleman

[@gotheirish]

What are the names of the tunes proceeding the song?

[@lisafresle7957]

Beautiful . Anyone know the name of the tune it goes into ?

[@TheActivistOne]

💚💙

[@hughdraper6335]

The Irish kept literature alive.

[@michaelobrien1178]

I have not heard a better song by the pogues covered by another band

[@michaelnannestad7399]

Is anyone aware of the turmoil happening in Ireland at the moment due to the massive immigration?

[@erry9895]

Yepp.

[@tadeorossi2740]

what a perturbance lyrics 😝

[@25pappy]

Them lyrics ...

[@zigravos]

Stephie brought me here

[@michaelobrien1178]

wrong song but its brill

[@AproposOfWetSnow]

My mother she told me to give him some cake

[@erry9895]

I betcha I put a solid 100k views on this. If not mwore.

[@julianomilne2095]

Caide Miele falce Radie ❤

[@fiddlergeek]

What the heck were they thinking, calling themselves "Lynched?" Great job changing that one.

[@Destruction320]

I see nothing wrong in it. Why don't you like it?

[@conormaloney126]

The two brothers' surname is "Lynch", and the verb Lynch, meaning to hang someone, comes from Ireland after a trial in which magistrate Charles Lynch hanged his own son for murder. It's not our fault America is the way it is with the KKK etc., or that racists in your country co-opted a common Irish word and surname to mean something race-related. It's a crying shame they changed their name to Lankum IMO, but it probably would have impacted their American touring potential and I do want to see them reach as large an audience as possible, so it is what it is. "Lynched" had nothing to do with American racial violence, not everything is related to your country -- this band isn't even from there.

[@fiddlergeek]

@@conormaloney126 Thank you for this reply, Mr. Maloney. I had never heard the origin of the verb "to lynch" before and your reply gave me both understanding of the origin of that word, all too familiar in my country (yes, I am an American. How did you guess?), and background on the surnames of musicians in this Irish band (was quite aware of that). Absolutely, the world does not and should not revolve around the United States, arrogant and colonialist though the U.S. government may be. As racial caste oppression enforced by both state and vigilante murder is an ongoing big problem here, and the word 'lynched' does now carry that meaning globally, I stand by my original comment of approval of the band's name change.

[@conormaloney126]

@@fiddlergeek The word lynched does not carry that meaning globally. That's what I'm trying to explain to you, and it's how I knew where you were from. To lynch someone now means to hang someone without trial. It's only associated with the KKK and white supremacy in your country specifically, not globally. Lynched only changed their name in order to tour America without the unwanted association to the U.S. meaning of the word. It wouldn't have been an issue in any other country, but a lot of Americans are of Irish descent and there's a big market for Lynched/Lankum's music there. The name change didn't go down well at all in Ireland due to the implied suggestion that there was something offensive about the word or the surname Lynch, as well as the perception that an Irish band was pandering to American sentiments, but they must have felt that if they wanted to break into the American market, changing the name was the better marketing strategy. The band are leftists and their politics couldn't possibly be further removed from the American far right. I don't know if you can understand why it would bother me to hear someone from the U.S. say they "approve" the name change of an Irish band due to U.S. racism, but at the end of the day the music is the main thing.

[@fiddlergeek]

@@conormaloney126 Thank you again for the thoughtful reply. I am grateful to hear perspective from outside the U.S. bubble. And agreed, the music is what matters!

[@tikirama8427]

Brilliant!