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I'm gathering a list of David Downes compositions.PM me if I missed any.(I don't own every solo album so there could be some on them that I don't know of)

1.)Send Me a Song

2.)The Soft Goodbye

3.)One World

4.)The Blessing

5.)Homecoming

6.)the sky and the dawn and the sun

7.)Granuaile's Dance

8.)At The Célli

9.)Sing Out

10) Green the Whole Year Round

He cowrote The Blessing

I don't think he wrote Walking in the Air

You're right; he didn't.  It was written by Howard Blake for The Snowman.  David did the arrangement and orchestration.

He does the arrangements and orchestrations for virtually ALL of CW's songs!   ::)

he co-wrote with brendan graham "the sky and the dawn and the sun"

He wrote "Homecoming" that's on Lisa's Album

Thanks! I'll add them!

Didn't he also co-write "At the Ceili?"

I don't know.Maybe he did.I'll look around.

David downes/Shay Healy cowrote "At The Célli"

David Downes and Máiréad cowrote "Granuaile's Dance"

Ooh, good for her! ;D

Thanks!

consider it added.

i thought it was some older irish song :D

Didn't he also co-write "Sing Out" with Brendan Graham?  I don't have my Cds or concert program at work, but I'm pretty sure they co-wrote it. 

David you are just too amzing for me!

Indeed, Orlagh's "interlude" in particular has a sort of traditional Irish sensibility about it — which shows that David has a pretty good sense for that sort of thing. :)

Maybe he will co-write something with Hayley.... ;D  David, wow!  Now, whenever I see that David wrote or co-wrote or arranged something, I'm there listening!!

I just checked my "New Journey" liner notes, and David Downes and Brendan Graham did co-write "Sing Out!"  Another awesome song!

Thank you Willow.I've added Sing Out to the list.

In the 20th century,we in America,had some amazing composer/arranger/orchestrators,Richard Rodgers,Leonard Bernstein,John Williams,(remember "ET" & the Music from the 1984 Olympics?-that guy!) I think David is approaching that tier of excellence,rising above the ordinary,to achieve beyond even what we have heard up to now.It's my great wish that David would embark on an instrumental quest that would equal William's Olympic Themes,Rodger's extraordinary "Victory at Sea" and Bernstein's "West Side Story" and "Candide." David is just approaching the age when MASTERS of their art really begin to achieve.I believe,having directed bands,orchestras,and choirs for over 40 years,we are witnessing   the rise of this century's best new writer,David Downes. Mc

Yes,he's getting there!

Yes David has quite a gift. I'm just trying to find out how I can get him to look at the lyrics I've written inspired by the group. The person at CW website said he does not accept unsolicited lyrics. So how did misters Healy and Graham go about it? I've written lyrics to Mairead's air "There is no night" but have no idea how to get it to her or if it could even be accepted. There must be folks in the industry in this forum. I'm up to 82 poems/lyrics now and would dearly love any of the girls to look at them or (gasp) set one to music and sing it. When a passion strikes you what else can you do but play it out. Carraig on!

David has an absolutely astounding gift for song writing, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!  Thank you, David!

Hi Moscapoet,The only thing I can recommend is keep trying,keep hounding,do whatever you can to get someones attention,no matter how long it takes.Many of our famous composers,lyricists,arrangers have gone through great difficulty trying to get their creation across,and failed,....until one person saw the promise in the music,...and then.... all Heaven broke loose.Keep Dreamin & NEVER give up!!! Mc

Thank you McIrish!
   Words of encouragement are so important especially when they come from someone within the industry. I have a client that is a professional musician and arranger in the hill country of Texas, and he has agreed to do the lead sheets for my first two songs. I hope to have them copywritten and publisher by years' end. I also work with someone whose son is deployed to Iraq flying helicopter gunships. He is a good illustrator and is going to take a rather Dr. Seuss-ish poem I wrote and help me turn it into a children's book. I'm going to use most of the proceeds from sales(if any) and donate them to a charity that helps families of those killed in action. Thanks again McIrish for your words. Now it will only be a matter of finding someone who will sing the songs once they're out. I think I can, I think I can...... 

No, it's a new song by David Downes, but it's about a céilí in the late 1950's or early 60's.
The dresses and the words give me that impression, anyway.

I really hope this is not off subject too much,but I d really like to hear a composition,by David,about our lads & lasses in Iraq & Afghanistan,their trials,tribulations,their losses.Yes,it would be a tearjerker,but what better composer to salute them than David Downes? Mc

Does anyone know if David might be working on any new projects other than Celtic Woman?  I would love to see him come up with a lot more new songs and shows. His talent is endless and I love it! ::)

i love at the ceili

I love "The Blessing."

I love Send Me a Song.....I think I might write a song too, called "Send us more songs david, cause they are so beautiful!"  Hmmnn....is the title too long?

David Downes has composed a pop song called "Sing Out" too and I like it :) :) :) :)

LOL I had some trouble with that.  I chose Send Me A Song in the end cause I absolutely adore that . . . but then I was like "But I love Homecoming too! And the Sky and the Dawn and the Sun! And ..." etc etc.  But yeah, SMAS.

I wonder if Amy Rivard is going to ask David to write some original songs for her new album.  I know from her myspace page that she has written a number of her own songs but I would really love to hear her do some of David's music. And well, I absolutely love all of David's music and really want to hear him do more.  I love you David!

I've done some research on Brendan Graham and found that he is a writer and novelist.  He is also involved with the songs "You Raise Me Up", "Sing Out", "The Blessing" and solely "The Voice".  A very sincere thank you, Mr. Graham.  These songs have touched many hearts and lives...  And thank you Mr. Downes for setting them to perfection with the greatest group of artists and musicians to come about.

Can't pick just one. The Blessing and the Calli. Although as has been said they are all great!

SMAS, though it's hard to pick only one song, I love 'em all!

Now we get to add "Green the Whole Year Round" to the list!   ;D

That would be a great fit. Amy would do any of his current creations justice. I sent her two lyrics myself inspired by her as gifts and hope she'll use them.
As for my favorite, well it has to be SMAS because it was that song that I heard last before I went to bed and then woke up with my first song lyric back in April. Now 165. 

My fav would have to be SMAS as well. For now anyway. I can't wait to see if he has any new songs for the next dvd and cd! *shhhhhhh* might possably see new songs for the 08 tour. Thats just my theory though. I don't have any inside information! :o

Just a thought... maybe Brendan Graham should be added to the heading under "cast" as a tribute and a thanks....

I like that idea!

Two more songs should be added to the list: "Angel's Song" and "Voice of Home".  These are both on Chloë's first CD from when she was 13.  They are terrific songs!!  If you haven't heard them yet, definitely look for them and listen to them!

As far as my favorite goes, I can't pick one.  I have a few by him that I would classify as my favorite song! ::)

 I can't wait to see what David has in store for us in the upcoming filming!

I picked "Send Me A Song".  All of the songs are so good.  It's hard to pick only one.

Send Me a Song is tops with me, and The Soft Goodbye runs a very close second.

My friend's Aunt is very good friends with him (she lives in Ireland). My friend's Mom has read all of his books (which he autographed for her!) and says they're wonderful.

My top 5 favorite Celtic Woman songs were all written or co-written by Brendan Graham, including one of my favorite songs EVER, Christmas Pipes!  ;D ;D ;D

He's brilliant, in my opinion, along with David Downes of course, as well all already know. ;D

Oh man, I love Christmas Pipes... ;D  That's my favorite one on the Christmas dvd.
Emily - I didn't know Brendan Graham wrote that one too..!  I looked it up on the dvd and sure enough, there he is again.
That's awesome!  And David is sheer genius with the arrangement...   ;D  Wow, what a team.

Mine too!!! It's definitely in my list of favorite CW songs of all-time. It's brilliant, in my opinion. Lisa's parts are my favorite.  ;D

Every time I think that there's no way they'll be able to top ANJ, I remember that we've got David Downes putting everything together and Brendan Graham helping to write some of the music, and that always makes me feel better.  :D

WOW, it was really hard to choose, but I went with 'Green the Whole Year Round'.  I just can't get it out of my head..... :o
Hey that's a Lisa song too, I hope it gets on one of the CD's.

Howard

I found two new songs written by David on www.celticcollections.com/product/Celtic-Angels/CCCD_930.

“Come Carry Me“ and “A Haunting Song“ by Ann Myler.

The songs are on an Album named Celtic Angels.

Knowes anyone the Songs?

I haven´t hear  them till now.
 

Please excuse my poor english, I must write with the help of an dictionary.

Hi Ina,
I checked on the internet but could not find a sample song or the lyrics. 
But that is interesting that you found the two songs, I have never heard of them before -
and your English is just fine. 

My favorite choice was "Homecoming" because I love the instrumentals at the end of the song
and think it is a great prelude to "The Deer's Cry' on Lisa's CD.

Two other songs David composed are on Chloë's first album:

"Voice of Home"

and

"Angel's Song"

Someone really special gave me Chloe's first album as a gift.
I llisten to it quite often when going to sleep and both of those songs are very pleasant.
 

For me 1 thing to say to this david wel done keep on making songs

I gonna do one of them for my music exame in june (the blessing)

Only vote for 1 ??? ;D

Wow, that voting set up was cool, neat, the bomb...etc..I clicked on my favorite, and yes, it is very difficult to narrow it down to one choice, but that is what the author asked us to do, so I clicked on "The Soft Good-Bye" because it is a powerful, eloquent song with many different interpretations...I was happy to see it is a big favorite of others as well. I can just hear.."rain comes over the grey hills and on the Air a soft good-bye"  and when Lisa comes in on the off-beat of STAR in the evening sky...is your love waiting there for me... so immensely powerful of the journey we must ultimately take, and the assurance that love is waiting..and yes I learned to night from a Forum Member that The ANGEL's SONG was written by David Downes and sung by Chloe at Age 13...so perfectly.

Shankdee

*sigh* This is a hard choice.. A really hard choice.

I think the best is The Soft Goodbye. A lovely building of notes and lyrics.. And a main thing, the lyrics are not constantly reapeated. In most songs are the lyrics most of the time repeated, what I not always like.
And af course Christmas Pipes is great ;D And I love Send Me a Song.. It's so tender ;)

Yes, a very tough choice, but I voted for The Soft Goodbye.

I am finally wandering around the forum to new topics and I found this one...not too late...ahem!
I voted for "Send Me A Song"...that was one of the first songs I heard CW sing.  Lisa resembled a
close friend (who was killed tragically) in voice and looks and I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
That and "May It Be" (I know David didn't write it) were mesmerizing to me and have stayed favorites
every since.  What a talent!!

Sorry, I just couldn't pick one. As with everyone else, they are all outstanding and I feel like I would be slighting the others to try to pick a favorite.  Each time I hear one I say " That's it!!"  but then another starts and---   I know all of you understand what I mean.   Wouldn't it be great if David and the girls made a CD  ( Or better a DVD !!!!)  of  " The Songs of David Downes" !!  Talk about a chart topper!! 

Gosh... I think they all are my favourites.
I can't pick one. David is a genious. I love the begginig of One World, The Blessing is so special to me, I love At The Ceili, Granuaile's Dance makes me smile.. all theese songs are special

I did too, it is soo expressive of what we all have to do sooner or later...and I love the way it shows what
we VOTED in bold print...just in case we couldn't remember what we voted for......
I also am partial to the Sky, The Dawn and the Sun now since Brian posted the words...and I got to see what
they are really singing about...it is a terrific song !!  David rocks !!

shankdee

Ah!  I'm torn!  My favorite Lisa solo and one of my 2 favorite group numbers are both on there!  I had no idea David wrote at the Ceili!

Well....I'll go with SMaS just because it's a Lisa solo and I love the piano in it!

Ahhhh!! Too many to choose!!!!!  I love all of those songs!!!!  I'd say Send Me a Song, but then I love At the Ceili, then I love The Soft Goodbye and Sing Out.  Its so hard to pick just one!!!!  How about a choice for "all of the above" ???  haha   :D

I must add that he is a brilliant brilliant man!  To be able to compose/write music is just amazing to me!  His songs are fantastic and I HIGHLY enjoy listening to them!!!!! 

Nobody voted for Granuaille's Dance  :o

I love them all!!!!!

The Soft goodbye is one of my favorites, but I love all of them!

So I take it you DID vote for it, Talia??? I know I did and it is now the leading Choice if i am not mistaken. I also
love the other songs as they are so well done by C W...It is just that the Polls ask us to vote for ONE...
I wonder what David has got cooking now??

shankdee

 ;)  We should get more people to VOTE...I hope we get up to 100...voters... Ask your forum friends if they have voted
     for David Downes' compositions...and encourage them to do so..

       T H A N K S....Shankdee

VERY TOUGH CHOICE!!!!!!

I voted, but that was HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!  Too many amazing choices!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmmmm, I'm going to have to think about this!!!!!  I really don't know if I could honestly pick a favorite!!! 

I guess I would go with Send Me A Song.  I absolutely love it, Lisa sounds beautiful singing it.  It was one of my "first" favorites!   :)

Wow, I feel bad about Granuile's Dance.  It is my favorite piece performed by Mairead!  I wish I could vote for 2, because that would have been my next choice!! 

I didn't know that David wrote Granuaile's Dance...

Didn't he and Mairead actually write it?  In our ANJ CD insert, it has both their names under the title as composers.   :)

There should be an "All of them!" option, because I can't decide.  Way to pick all of my favorite songs. :D

I'm SO surprised that this doesn't have more votes. The piece is AMAZING! It is a paradigm of David's (and Mairead's) genius. It never fails to put a smile on my face. This song caught my attention two years ago when someone at our skating rink skated her program to it, so we got to listen to it everyday at practice. At the time, we didn't even know it was Celtic Woman!!! Funny how things turn out...

Ok I've given this question some serious thought and though I stand strong with my initial vote as Granuaile's Dance as my first choice, The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun is a VERY close second. The words and especially the musical composition are truly unique and very uplifting. David just can't go wrong!

I love all his songs!!!  He really does an amazing job with making the music for the girls.  He knows exactly what he's doing when choosing the music.  :)

At the Ceili I love this song so much! Fun and beautifuL!

Man you guys and your polls!! :D It's unfair just to vote for one...
Really really hard choice but I have to vote vor At the Céili... Because after seeing that live... :D :D It's just really great.

But I love all of his compositions :D

These are songs/ music he re arranged and co wrote and didn't write all of them.