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Pretty Saro — Long associated with Eddie & Finbar, Pretty Saro is Appalachian in origin and is a variant on the recurring theme of the poor boy and the much unattainable girl.
The Grimsby Lads — Learned from Gibb Todd again at the "Dyers Arms" singing sessions. This song was written by John Connolly and tells of the vigours of the life of a North Sea fisherman.
The Grave Of Wolfetone — Bodenslown is in Sallins. Co. Kildare, where Wolfe Tone is buried. Wolf e Tone was one of the leaders of the 1798 uprising, often referred to as the rebellion of the "United Irishmen" due to the fact that Catholic and Protestant Republicans fought side by side.
Boat Me Over — Finbar heard this song first from his wife Sheila, who taught him the words.
William Hollander — The "Flying Cloud" was reckoned to be at one time the fastest ship under sail, and at least one part of her long life was spent in carrying slaves from Africa to the New World. This was a highly profitable business as it must have been considering the plague and fever killing hundreds before they ever reached their destination in the case of this song Cuba.
She's Touched You — Eddie learned this song whilst living in Scotland. Written by Scottish singer Jim Herd it is a graphic description of life on the road as a folksinger.
From Clare To Here — Eddie learned this song which was written by Ralph McTell, from the fine singer and funny man Noel Murphy. The song reflects the thoughts and the feelings of an Irishman from Clare who has come to London to make his fortune. He has to live with his dreams and has to find out how hard it is to survive in London -a long long way from Clare in every way.
Still He Sings — Eddie learned this song from singer/songwriter Allan Taylor who composed it on the birth of his first child. It is a celebration of a new life and of life itself.
Farewell To Tarwathie — In the Nineteenth Century in the North East of Scotland there was as in other parts of the world at that time a thriving whaling industry which now almost have died out with the possible exceptions of Japan and Russia who still fish for the whale on a large scale. There is no record of a place called Tarwathie remaining - though it is believed to have been in Aberdeenshire.
The Lancashire Lads — Eddie learned this song from Gibb Todd at singing sessions in the "Old Dyers Arms" in Coventry. The theme of the song is a common one: the mother warning her virgin daughter of the dangers of dallying with soldiers. The Lancashire Lads were the soldiers of the Lancashire Regiment.