Solas, "The Poor Ditching Boy"

Solas performs "The Poor Ditching Boy", live from Folk Alley Studios

[@russhouldin5774]

Love it. So great to hear a new generation singing Richard Thompson songs.

[@gaspode18]

Written, of course, by the great Richard Thompson.

[@ClareJulissa]

Bands like Solas are proof that there's hope for America yet!

[@DavidStanley85281]

I'm only just discovering them. But, yeah, great to hear some American bands covering British folk :)

[@Orchdork54]

This is an Amazing Band just saw them live tonight. So Awesome!!

[@MajorWolfgangHochstetter]

Only recently found Solas! Deprived here in central Florida! Love this song (version), and this group! Fantastic!

[@Shooterpirat]

I think so too - they are amazing!

[@DavidStanley85281]

Magnifique!

[@Travailleradomicile777]

beautiful music!!! I love irish music, this is just so great!!!!

[@dunebasher1971]

This is an English song (written by Richard Thompson).

[@nicnacpadawak]

My favorite song from "The Turning Tide"!!!

[@JonMcNamaraM3691]

Solas is a tremndous, brilliant group. Really, go see them if they come into your area.

[@nicnacpadawak]

100 of these views have to be mine. Such a great song by a great band.

[@rayfaria]

Cool song...wonderfull band!

[@IrishGigs]

Séamus Egan was born in Hatboro, Pennsylvania to Irish émigrés Jack and Ann Egan. At the age of three his parents moved the family back home to County Mayo, Ireland.

[@carabistouillette]

Thanks !

[@timbuchanan6578]

Great harmonies!

[@ClareJulissa]

@tdbsnr Quoted from the Solas Facebook page: "For over a decade, Solas has been recognized as the most influential Irish-American super group." They may play Irish music, but they're from the USA!

[@RedKatieAnne]

Literally, a "ditcher"is a ditch digger. The ditches were used for irrigation. On a farm prior to the 1940's it was the most menial, hardest, and generally least paid unskilled labour. Richard Thompson's lyrics, I believe, are meant to suggest that the song's narrator is already an exploited working chap who runs afoul of girl who treats him dreadfully and in the end his employer refuses to pay him because of general hard times. Not a very cheerful song, but wonderfully performed here.

[@betseyh09]

very nice

[@johnniejukebox]

Kilkenny lass Mairaid Phelan on vocal.

[@JeremyLohan]

i like it xD

[@Burncourtable]

Winifred Horan and Seamus Egan are American. The rest are irish. I dont care if their from the moon. They sound great

[@justdave-f7z]

They are both born of Irish parents. They're as Irish as can be...but you are right! They sound great! Winifred is the sturdy backbone of the group!

[@chrisdansey2600]

Maybe - but English folk culture (if that is the right phrase) is so thin (compared to Scots, Irish and Breton - Welsh too, probably) that we need to hang on to all we can. Its almost down to The Waterson Family and morris dancing as it is. And anyway, The Poor Ditching Boy seems (to me,. at least) to be a very English sort of song.

[@christaylor2070]

Don't forget Martin Carthy [unless you include him in the Watersons] and Richard Thompson!

[@gaspode18]

Digging ditches.

[@carabistouillette]

I don't speak currently english... so... Anyone can tell me the definition of "ditching" ?

[@chrisdansey2600]

Oh, forgot to mention - I was formerly Gaspode18

[@steverothsteinmo]

who is the singer?

[@tdbsnr]

@ClareJulissa Actually they're Irish...

[@quedecree]

She's Cheating!! She's got the lyrics printed on the back of her eyelids! Nah, great band and really good song.

[@ninjaturt]

watch?v=bL23OxsY95E Another Solas song for you guys

[@gaspode18]

Not really Irish.Richard Thompson is half-Scottish born in England.

[@hedgerow215]

a good band seemingly, but to me it's a tad too sweet and too nice for a more ragged kind of song.

[@richardpowell1645]

Try the original by Richard Thompson, written shortly after he left Fairport Convention

[@marlajomac]

The band is great but their version of this song is not worth listening to.

[@davidgray5585]

Stop keep going on about the English and if it's sound lrish Welsh Scottish,does it really matter enjoy , get a life for Christ sake

[@JonMcNamaraM3691]

@gaspode18: Re: '...not Irish'. Not really significant. At this point, there's been so much cross-culture/cross-genetics between the Isles, it's more under the umbrella of 'Celtic'. After all, isn't that what Paddy Maloney (Chieftains) has been telling/teaching us for the last 40 years. Like Solas great rereading here, not even R Thompson can stand outside of that umbrella for very long, as seen all through his considerable catalog.