Music Countdown to St. Paddy’s Day (Week 3)
Photo Courtesy of Official the Chieftains Spotify
Lauren McCarty | Contributing Writer ’26
Bryce Russell | Art & Entertainment Editor
We return to traditional Irish folk music for our countdown to St. Patrick’s Day playlist this week with six-time Grammy winners The Chieftains. Formed in 1962 in Dublin and led by multi-instrumentalist Paddy Moloney, this group popularized Irish folk music internationally with their flutes, pipes, and fiddles. The Chieftains gained worldwide recognition during the 1970s and 1980s and worked with famous artists such as The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and Van Morrison. Their influence and success led the Irish government to honor them as the country’s musical ambassadors. Here are some of their iconic tunes to add to your St. Patrick’s Day tracklist.
“The Foggy Dew” with Sinead O’Connor
Originally written by a priest named Charles O’Neil about the 1916 Easter rebellion, this powerful ballad encourages the Irish to fight against the British and stand up for themselves, rather than fighting for the British cause in WW1. This version, recorded in 1995 is the most well-known, the popular Irish singer Sinead O’Connor’s vocals over the chieftain’s instrumentals convey the power behind the song and the history of the fight for Irish independence beautifully.
“The Wind that Shakes the Barley/The Reel with the Beryle”
A combination of two traditional Irish music reels, “The Wind that Shakes the Barley / The Reel with the Beryle” is one of those songs that just exemplifies traditional Irish music. In traditional Irish music, there are three different forms of music: reels, airs, and jigs. The reel is a tune made for dancing, and for all you people out there that know music, it is in 4/4 time while a jig is in 6/8. Airs are typically a melody played at a slower pace, with no set tempo or rhythm.
“The Star of the County Down” with Van Morrison
Stepping away from ballads about the grief of war, a more uplifting Irish song is the chieftain’s version of “The Star of the County Down.” The singer describes a beautiful Irish woman who he is falling in love with. The song has a lively and celebratory tone perfect for dancing and whatever other activities you engage in on green day. The vocals on this song are provided by Van Morrison, of “Brown Eyed Girl” fame. Born and raised in Belfast, Morrison has always let his Irish roots shine through in his music.
This version of the song is instrumental and captures the essence of Irish folk music perfectly, it’s cheerful and playful. Versions with lyrics tell the story of a man getting an early start to his day, “boiling the breakfast early” is a metaphor for readiness and hard work which reflect traditional Irish values. Since we will all be getting an early start this weekend, I suggest starting the celebration by boiling the breakfast early.
“He Moved Through the Fair” with Sinead O’Connor
This haunting rendition is featured on the Chieftains’ 1995 album Long Black Veil, which featured collaborations with artists like Sinead O’Connor, Mick Jagger, and Sting. Originally written about a man losing his lover (the original title was “She Moved Through the Fair”), O’Connor’s alternate take is beautifully melancholic, it’s about grief and the nature of death, a common motif in Irish folk music. She is slowly losing sight of the ghost that was once her lover as he moves away from her through the fair, leaving her until they meet again in the afterlife. O’Connor’s delivery is enchantingly Irish.
“Down in the Willow Garden” with Bon Iver
One of the most unexpected collaborations the Chieftains have ever done, but one of the best. Bon Iver provides his signature electronic-infused folk singing on this traditional murder ballad of a man who poisons his lover after she refuses to marry him. If you are a fan of Bon Iver, this song is a must listen to.
“Mo Ghile Mear” with Sting
This song was made in the 20th century through the combination of poems by Irish poet Seán “Clárach” Mac Domhnaill and a traditional Irish music air. This Irish language / English ballad gives off an ancient sort of feeling, especially with Sting’s powerful voice and the Chieftains’ sparse instrumental.