LANKUM - Hunting the Wren (Live in Dublin)

[@slydoll7877]

Can't stop listening but can't hardly bear to hear it.

[@emmaplover]

same

[@FlatlandMando]

Everything I got, hurts. Yet somehow deliciously

[@shaunmcintyre8996]

succinct

[@artomarto679]

I was there

[@gurner69666]

Sweet darkness

[@sky37blue]

I'm Scottish and came here through surfing KZbin for traditional Scottish/Irish music. I am a big fan of this kind of music which transports you. I was listening to Brìghde Chaimbeul before this who enjoys similar types of sounds but on the Scottish smallpipes. Wow, this song is a true masterpiece of the modern age and deserves to be up there with the most famous of Irish songs. Absolutely stunning, powerful and magnificent. Also a dark reminder of the horrors and evils of british colonialism inflicted on so many. Unfortunately for Scotland, the struggle continues.

[@phildoyle8263]

So moving and powerful. The Curragh Wrens. The name for the prostitutes that serviced the army camp on the Curragh. "...she chose the cold open plains o'er the dark workhouse door." Heartbreaking. The wren-o, why is it so derided in Europe? It beat the Eagle to be the king of birds. An ancient story that.

[@griffen9795]

Interesting bit of history. Thank you for the new perspective on the song

[@mno65]

Thanks for that. The wren is named winterkoninkje in Dutch, meaning the little king of winter. Never made the connection to the fable.

[@WayneCarolan]

Lyrics : Sharp is the wind Cold is the rain Harsh is the livelong day Upon the wide open plain By Donnelly's hollow Under sod, gorse and furze There lies a young wren oh By the saints she was cursed The wren is a small bird How pretty she sings She bested the eagle When she hid in its wings With sticks and with stones All among the small mounds They come from all over To hunt the wren on the wide open ground They flock round the soldiers In their jackets so red For barrack room favours Pennies and bread The soldier is rough In anger or fun And he causes much bloodshed With his big musket gun They’re birds of the earth The beasts of the field By spite and by fury Are people revealed Attacked in the village Spat on in town They come from all over To hunt the wren on the wide open ground The wren is a small bird Though blamed for much woe Her form is derided Wherever she goes With cold want and whisky She soon is run down Her body paraded On a staff through the town Her head for her ceiling The sod was her floor She chose the cold open plain Cold open plan o'er The dark workhouse door With two broken wings And feathers so brown They come from all over To hunt the wren on the wide open ground

[@ellalal3405]

Thank you. Magic

[@FireDrawNear]

Under *sod*, gorse and furze

[@WayneCarolan]

Ian Ó Loingsigh Thank you 🙏

[@johnnickpappanastos3382]

Was this original or a traditional?

[@slydoll7877]

@@johnnickpappanastos3382 The story of hunting the wren in myth and legend is ancient with roots back in Druid tradition. Google The Wren Boys

[@roguealien423]

An icy draught from the sacred, dark well of the collective memory. Extraordinary ritual music.

[@FlyingPowers]

Exactly. Well said brother.

[@galwaytribesman9289]

The drugs must be good

[@roguealien423]

@@galwaytribesman9289 Not so bro' - I can come up with that type of comment in an entirely legal state of mind.

[@feefeeder]

@@galwaytribesman9289 EEjit!

[@FlatlandMando]

They really are doing something worth doing

[@BK-cs4gv]

Listening to this on St. Stephen's day. Can't articulate the emotional impact of this song . If this is the future of folk music I'm in

[@klaushollinetz7494]

With Lankum C-Major still sounds like doom. Absolutely wonderful.

[@samuelwilliam5486]

I'm not sure if there is a more beautiful song that exists. So powerful.

[@dbrannick9585]

One of the most emotive, profound, masterfully performed pieces of music I have ever heard. Thank you so much for the music you make!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

The power of the drone is considerable and transporting

[@justahumanbeing.709]

one chord to rule them all!

[@Pablosammy1]

Just wow. I have tears running down my face. Heart wrenchingly powerful music

[@babybloc]

Immediately start weeping every time this begins

[@wabjornson6267]

Congratulations on winning Irish Album of the Year.

[@Trollificusv2]

Damn. Just found this group (and the awesome Radie Peat!) and was checking out their tunes, and didn't really listen to this one closely, or all the way through. "That was dolorous, wunnit?" And it haunted me. It kept coming back and I finally went back, listened to the lyrics, realized what it was, and now I'm blown away, listening to different versions, over and over. It takes courage and creativity to come up with something so soulful and unique. Damn.

[@Bigchurchmusic]

I have added this masterpiece to my Townes Van Zandt playlist, enough said.

[@rory-hughes]

a formidable duo

[@reddwing4368]

Townie would dig this band fer sure

[@margarethess6583]

That’s a badge of honor

[@jamesdolan4042]

I happened serendipitously to read an interview in the Irish Times, June 2018 with Radie Peat where she said she was currently listening to the music of Townes Van Zandt.

[@NegativeBodhiImage]

Radie Peat`s voice is haunting.

[@emmaford7205]

But yet I can't stop listening to it. Its so mesmerizing

[@NegativeBodhiImage]

@@emmaford7205 No foolin.

[@tomryan4360]

a paradigm shift!i,ve been playing and singing for the last 60 years and i am glad i lived long enough to enjoy this amazing new musical breakthrough.unique.magical.evolution in action.superb.

[@felixmarsh6026]

Wonderful. I was going to leave an independent comment about how I’d found this video & song (new to me - the song not the band) & then I found your comment. Hard to follow. Incredible sound. Their version of ‘The Wild Rover’ brought me here. Time stopping music.

[@shaunbannon4223]

The force that is LANKUM

[@tropnevadjon]

Spellbinding, truly spellbinding.

[@Ezra.emerson]

I have yet to hear anything more powerful than this

[@nedalankelly]

and you probably never will ...this is the best tune i have ever ever heard

[@JohnMac2023A.D.]

This powerful as well ,goose bumps kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn24dKaYfaaEmMk

[@theloniuspunk383]

it's melodramatic garbage

[@cahillgreg]

@@theloniuspunk383 Behave!

[@Redsince66]

@@theloniuspunk383 you know what they say about opinions!

[@terencemagee]

The sadness and tragedy of life for all of us is there, represented by the small wren bird(tradionally hunted every 26 December in the past though no more). Fantastic song, of course the Irish with their hard history have a deep undetstanding of the wren's lot.

[@gerardlee4319]

ORANGE: The amp choice of Druids for centuries......

[@gordonbrown4673]

Though you'd find a Marshall Superlead as an outlier every once in a while. ;)

[@shaycostello888]

And fleetwood Mac

[@laurent.674]

I came here because I just heard Natalie Merchant's new cover of it. Incredibly powerful and moving. Thank you Natalie for getting me to find this incredible band ... Lankum

[@filmstaratease]

Same here

[@nomadnurse1473]

Same.

[@greatleapforwards]

just watched performed this in her encore at the Olympia and it was the ultimate tribute to an incredible song

[@surfraptor]

She did the song tonight in Amsterdam ... I was blown away and came here to check the orginal. Wow!! Thank you Natalie indeed!!

[@samopdrift]

Never heard of this group before, didn't know what to expect... just a few seconds into the song i knew this was pure gold. Man, i cried my eyes out.

[@jh7574]

You are not wrong....this goes straight into the soul

[@NegativeBodhiImage]

Check out their cut "Òld Man From Over The Sea" - its freaking harrowing.

[@Superjohnallianceof1]

Its so bloody good

[@lehaine]

When I learnd what this song is about my stomach dropped out of my body and heart ached like no song has ever done to me before.

[@soapbox3]

Goosebumps and tears.

[@UncleSinner]

So good but wish the audio from the ticket takers wasn’t included. Still gonna watch this a hundred times

[@zappafan3473]

@Switch Dolphin how'd that work out :(

[@zappafan3473]

@Switch Dolphin it was more of a rhetorical comment, a statement on the shit times we're in. of course, at some point live music will happen again and we've several decades of joy to look forward to from this lot, whether as Lankum or in their individual guises. hope the september date happens.

[@citygasbatteryriot964]

they might've had to send a message to inadequate man bouncers to stop being arsholios. When we hosted them in Belfast, there were no bouncers. I did the door. And the heckling was top of the range mid-gig banter mosh.

[@jacobscanlon9311]

This rendition breaks my heart every time. I can’t say for certain the intent behind Lankum’s variation on the Wren, but I suspect their purpose. Regardless, it makes me want to hug every woman I’ve ever met tightly.

[@blaisemarcc1172]

Well, this wasn't the Wren Song I was looking for, but it is starkly fantastic.

[@rorycannon]

The Wren has risen again!A new Ireland has been reborn stronger because of our past!Epic musicianship ❤️

[@christianweigl2626]

I had wait 50 years for such a beautiful music ! Thanks

[@stanmenshic8993]

The most amazing, genuine & engaging band i have heard in many years, both tearful & joyful simultaneously, Kudos

[@martynilsson4731]

Holy moly, I cant get this chant melody out of my head. A strange female voice, but just beautiful and almost haunting.

[@colinlloyd5134]

Extraordinary group of musicians. Transcendent, their music reaches in and plucks your soul.

[@luketracey3269]

colin lloyd 🍀

[@craigdickerson1487]

the most inspiring thing i've heard in a decade...truly great stuff...

[@coolkevo]

Same same ..

[@johnbryson1019]

Adore this group. Is there a better singer in the world today than Radie Peat. The guy with the water in the can is cool too.

[@TheRealJanKafka]

I love the Shirley Collins/Davey Graham version of "Hares on the Mountain". After having been randomly introduced to Lankum and Radie Peat, I have to say her version of the song competes with my first love as a favorite.

[@chrisburks7583]

May God keep us, and favor us I n these times.

[@jimneysweep9810]

To think the wretched wicked ones want to rid us of such beauty in life is beyond traumatic. Lankum keep me going in these dark and horrific times . Please something help us all

[@Hcatémorrer]

Isso é lindo d+ !!! sou do brasil e me senti conectado com essa música de uma forma incrível, valeu youtube por me apresentar .

[@abushams3336]

In the early eighties I had a tape called "songs of the Irish Travelers " Radie and the rest of the band manage to recreate that feeling of sincerity and tradition , with an added mastery of voice and instruments those oldtimers in their wagons often lacked ..

[@slydoll7877]

Can you remember any of the songs or the artists?

[@abushams3336]

@@slydoll7877 one in particular I remember , an old lady singing about a crayfish being put in the pisspot and its results , at the end she burst out laughing .. i think the song was just called "the crayfish "

[@slydoll7877]

@@abushams3336 Fantastic! I googled Fisherman fisherman standing by the sea have you a crayfish you would sell to me Yes sir yes sir that indeed I do I've a nasty smelly crayfish I will sell to you So I took him home and thought he would like to swim s o I filled up the chamber pot an threw the bugger in In the middle of the night I thought I'd have a fit when my old lade got up to take a shower Well husband husband she cried out to me the devil's in the chamber pot and he's got a hold of me Well children children bring up the looking glass and come and see the crayfish that bit your mother's ear Well children children you mother's had a fit come and see the crayfish that bit your mother's toe well she yelled and she screamed the noise it shook the walls and then to get me back she grabbed me by the beard well she swung and she hit me really cleaned my clock but I never once fell over cause she grabbed me by the collar well the crayfish escaped I thought he had the luck but all this was his fault that nasty little fool Well that's the end my story there is no more to tell and if you don't like it you can go to France.

[@kitthearty]

@@slydoll7877 Margaret Barry? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqjSoqyFe8SXmJY

[@PriscilladeZutter]

every time I listen to this I cry. I feel the pain.

[@Glef007]

So raw and real and beautiful. An amazingly comforting meditation in processing pain. A privilege to listen and hear and feel. Thank you, you are amazing musicians and storytellers.

[@stephendownes1904]

So proud to be Irish right now. Lankum and For Those I Love. Pure raw honesty.

[@jackypankhurst7723]

Shivers down my spine...on the night itself and this brings it right back.

[@slydoll7877]

I'm just devastated. I've loved folk all my life but I've never heard this and nothing's every affected me like this.

[@lieutenantangel2542]

Beautiful, i have no other words. love from Wales

[@smokabababylon]

I will listen to this band for the rest of my life. Go watch them live if you can. Thank you Lankum !

[@johnschneider4160]

Thanks for keeping the "moodyness" of Celtic music alive.

[@CLTTRAD]

Pure magic, my favorite cut of The Livelong Day

[@fradrake11]

Shamefully just discovered this group today so glad I did. I have chills and the hairs stand on the back of me neck. Wow

[@Cary_Glenn]

So good that words fail me. Hopefully you can tour Canada soon.

[@robertcope629]

Raddy's voice is unearthly, weird, but utterly amazing. 100 out of 10. Absolutely fantastic sound.

[@loquayrocks]

when I was a kid, I would spend my summers in Lahinch and around August, the travellers (gypsies, tinkers) would come into town. Down a back lane towards the prom, the women would sit on rugs, covered by their shawls and surrounded by kids, drinking pint bottles of stout and singing. This is what they sounded like, and she is very very aware of it.

[@psyzzlewazzle]

@@loquayrocks this is my favourite comment. Great image.

[@kitthearty]

In the mythical competition to find the bird who could fly highest. The wren hid under the wing of the eagle and when it got to its highest, the wren popped out and flew higher.

[@capoeirastronaut]

It was so easy to hear, but hard to find, it got the repute of living underground, & it's latin name is troglodytes troglodytes, cave-dweller. The folk song/ritual The Cutty Wren is the hunting of the wren as king of the underworld & winter on winter solstice, nailing it to a staff, & parading it to ask for alms.

[@johnwise7693]

Thanks for the explanation.

[@jackierama]

Wrens were traditionally hunted on the day after Christmas (St Stephen's Day). Groups in costume (often kids) would go from door to door with dead wrens, and receive money or treats in exchange. However, the song is also referring to a group of homeless women who supported themselves and their children as sex workers near the British Army camp at the Curragh in Kildare.

[@darraghsheridan4060]

Look up the Wrens of the Curragh

[@pm4331k]

This song is about Irish 'prostitution', the women known as wrens. They lived in a bush encampment outside the British Army Baracks. Their children lived there with them

[@kemry3345]

By this gorgeous piece of art, I believe I can, not only listen but remotely feel , see, touch even taste and smell the great Irish heritage.

[@TheLeiferikson]

The Granite Graze, The Young People and What Shall We Do When We Have No Money are worth listening to. And excuse my ignorance but have you heard Luke Kelly

[@kemry3345]

@@TheLeiferikson Liam C hi brother in humanity. I didn't listen to them yet, I am open for all authentic local art from all over the globe sure I will listen to Luke. Thank you for taking time and educate me. One world one people one love to delicate art 🌺🌺🌺

[@kemry3345]

@@TheLeiferiksontotally admire Ireland heritage and culture, I hope I can visit Dublin someday and enjoy authentic culture. 🌺🌺🌺

[@pm4331k]

​@kemry3345 it's about Irish prostitution yes a great heritage???

[@frinkfronk9198]

this is so good i cut my own ears off so they wouldnt be tarnished by another song

[@julienmeard8922]

You are the best, your songs are amazing, I hope someday I'll I'll have the chance to see you live when this situation is over. Best wishes from Toulouse, France.

[@davidmartin7695]

Fecking grand........ goose bumps !

[@eleonoradini2371]

I heard about Lankum last year, thanks to the Italian music magazine Rumore. They became the soundtrack of my life...

[@darraghcrehan781]

Unreal. Reminds me of the days of sigur ros. Very epic admins emotional.

[@hsamek4946]

Wow! What a fantastic piece of music!

[@fin2725]

Feckin amazing lads. Wishing ye very success in the future. Druidic healers.

[@guysingleton9611]

I agree 100% totally killed the building atmosphere

[@BlueRockBill]

Can't stop listening to this. My dad was running around Dublin in the 60's, I think he'd really love where the musics going.

[@martinmulhall5364]

Amazing group and what a voice

[@henkhut3038]

Man, what a song, wonderful haunting voices and music. I love what you do, thank you all so much for bringing your music in my life.

[@irishwildlifesounds7561]

Oh my god - this is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever heard!

[@agrarianrevolution1259]

If you like some music with your magic, then this is for you. The wren is a small bird, but it controls a big space.

[@Ruminator]

This is absolutely beautiful.

[@Ruminator]

Can't stop listening to this

[@danielharvey4093]

Ahh ,I live in the past, for today is like tomorrow and like yesterday. a tale of woe Ahh there ye go...

[@kaybell9778]

I live in live Europe and it pretty much why you should never say anything about us. You do not compare to the Irish. We mourn for everyone when we don't need to.we just do, they grace the rish give...love thee irie

[@erics9784]

I think I watch this almost once a week. Incredible performance.

[@keithraney7802]

I love this video so much. I watch it over and over again. Thank you guys so much for this version. I love it!

[@areb8579]

They played at the roundhouse last year. They were great❤

[@Corinabambina]

So far out I was weeping through the whole song in Vicar st. magic, thankyou

[@ellalal3405]

Started crying listening to this song too, don’t know why. Magic

[@jamesmalone2007]

I saw them last year, their just just exploded at one point, they rolled with it really well

[@TheRealJanKafka]

@@jamesmalone2007 Huh?

[@roguealien423]

I knew how powerful the magic was, but it wasn't until I read of your response that the tears started flowing.

[@Trollificusv2]

@@roguealien423 Have you heard of the Wrens of Curragh?? Check today's Irish times, man. THAT'S when I cried about the song. I'd wanted to but didn't know why.

[@stevenconroy5007]

This is a masterpiece

[@charliem5332]

Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time

[@FlukeTog]

Every day in my carving shop I listen. Thank you. Hope for more available albums soon. Would love an album from the recent songs I’ve heard through Myles O’Reilly’s film. Those are beautiful.

[@mikewhittam1341]

A great antidote to the Christmas fervour, keep coming back to the song, and its deep compassion.

[@elisalouise2678]

Divine !!!!! Voices are fabuloussss musical instruments with you !!!!!

[@GRA.L1981]

I just saw your performance on NPR and was speechless... powerful & beautiful are two words that spring to mind....BL£$$ x

[@redbaron983]

Nearby the same voice as Rosie Stewart. Haunting voice...........

[@ivankarczewski8582]

Mind blowing and so uplifting

[@johnburke3348]

Radie has the most beautiful smile ever

[@Saxandco]

Tradition but so much up-to-dateness. So is the life and you express this wonderfully good. Thank you very much.

[@turtlebean6340]

Really beautiful lament for the Ireland we should all inhabit!

[@tristanmules7995]

fantastic vocal mix

[@byebyecitybyebye]

much love to you and yours from oregon it's a very cold, windy day here, so waking up to this was magic

[@Dave_Frain]

Very moving, thanks for being class 🖤

[@authoralecgould1737]

Powerful! Thank you!

[@hanvanderschot6029]

oooh so beautiful

[@deciousness]

Beautifully haunting. If ever a bird flew towards something like a soul...

[@josephoconnell3060]

Thank God for you & Lisa!🎶

[@patwana4496]

love this song. going to Ireland

[@shottingham]

I found Lankum just the other day and I'm still in awe. Fuck anxiety; I would love you see you live one day.

[@ellalal3405]

Absolutely magical

[@ko6el]

😱 who thought it a good idea to cut the queue in

[@snijlea1604]

So enjoyed this, sublime. Please could the song continue into the audience. I just wanted to experience again and our elation..

[@jonzer8]

Sheer joy .nuthin left to say ❤️🙏

[@connollybrid1984]

pure magic xxx

[@machoninny2960]

Wonderful

[@firecatfly]

Magnificent. I will definitely be looking for a high quality vinyl version from this miraculous group of musicians. Bravo and thank you.

[@shredder9536]

You vinyl hipster. It sounds better on Spotify

[@JasonUmbrellabird]

Marvellous performance at The Barbican this week, so honoured to have seen yous.

[@Redsince66]

So sad that they canceled their world tour, hope they overcome their troubles, would be seeing them at Troubador in Los Angeles next month. I wish them well and hope to see them in the future.

[@TheShepTV]

Fuckin beautiful. Melted my face and soul on the Sunday night. Never been so moved at a gig ❤️ it was embarrassing

[@thestereoclub6735]

Haunting- yet it made my day. I was completely unaware of the wrens.

[@bernardkrarup6774]

What a performance.