"The Celtic Woman Story"

As I had promised elsewhere on the forum, I've completed "The Celtic Woman Story," and I hereby post it to begin this subject. The lyrics are words that I wrote. The music was composed and/or arranged by David Downes.

The Celtic Woman Story
Lyrics written by Parker Gabriel

Part One
To the music of "Nil Se’n La," presumably as arranged by David Downes

There was once a touring show
Most who toured with it were dancers
And wherever they would go
They were hailed as skillful prancers

From the Emerald Isle they came
And America embraced them
Michael Flatley dreamed some dreams
And he soon would leave to chase them
(Fiddle interlude)
Flatley’s Lordship Of The Dance
And his Feet Of Flames together
Realized his greatest dreams
Through what storms he might have weathered
Flatley would resign in time
But he’d sparked a revolution
Dance to song was troublesome
But there’d soon be a solution

"Riverdance" began the tale
That my words are now recalling
Celtic Woman I’ll describe
Till the curtain’s due for falling

"Riverdance" was touring still
When Flatley said that he was leaving
Though they wished him all the best
Still his exit left them grieving
(Fiddle interlude)
David Downes had been inspired
To solve the dance-to-vocals riddle
He sought out four lasses fair
And found a fifth who played the fiddle
(Fiddle interlude; jump key from Dm to Em)
Months on end they did rehearse
As their harmonies were forming
David wrote and he composed
Till the heart the sound was warming

"Riverdance" for singing voice
Was the sound that he was seeking
Celtic Woman did result
Well of them folk soon were speaking

Once in Dublin they performed
So that PBS could show them
It took all of seven months
Till the US got to know them
And they topped the charts in weeks

Since that mark of success
Celtic Woman has been showing
Not a sign there will be
Any end to what is
End to what is
End to what is growing

Part Two
To the music of "At The Ceili," presumably as composed by David Downes

What all began with "Riverdance" has only gotten better
The journeys they have taken those who like them share together

That women are the members has been cause enough to wonder
Why men should never do the same the answer’s Celtic Thunder

They front a team of hundreds of which David Downes is leader
Of the music it’s been said that not much else is sweeter

All the tunes we love so well so pleasant and appealing
They’re warming hearts and stirring souls in all that they’re revealing
Providing us with grounds to keep a fiddle tuned for playing
Or keep some pairs of dancing shoes
And make us glad they’re staying
When David Downes began it all he thought he’d end it quickly
He didn’t realise at first that we were spreading thickly
But he found it hard to argue with demands that we were making
So he figured keeping on would be a gamble worth the taking

No one of them’s the very best yet each of them is charming
Together in the team they form their singing will disarm
For with so very few exceptions all their voices blend so sweetly
That quickly we surrender to
Its beauty quite completely
When David Downes began it all he thought he’d end it quickly
He didn’t realise at first that we were spreading thickly
But he found it hard to argue with demands that we were making
So he figured keeping on would be a gamble worth the taking
Yes he figured keeping on would be a gamble worth the taking

(Choral and fiddle interlude, slowing of pace, key change from Em to Bm)

Not all their journeys have been shared by all who may belong
For each had lives ’twere all their own ere they first met in song
So some may get to pack their bags whilst some needs stay at home
But in the sisterhood they share not one will be alone
Not one will be alone
Not one will be alone
No in the sisterhood they share not one will be alone

(Restoration of original pace and key)

We’re somewhat in a bother that is really quite distressing
What music they’ll perform of late has all of us a-guessing
Some of them sang songs that now cannot be done without them
We don’t know how they’ll be replaced
What will we do about them
What on Earth are we to do it’s rather aggravating
We hope that David’s right and yet we’re bonkers from the waiting

To keep the lasses all involved would cost a lot of money
While a change of membership would risk fermenting all the honey
In misery we know the keeping wouldn’t be a bother
And being glutted’s not much fun
Help us Founding Father
What on Earth are we to do it’s rather aggravating
We hope that David’s right and yet we’re bonkers from the waiting

(Choral and fiddle interlude; pace slows)

We’re so lucky for those he’s found have now enhanced the flavour

And they’ve all proven decent singers with a sound we’ll savour

And they have carried on quite well and in no way was it aisy
But admittedly ’twas worth the time
He took to find each lady

(Pace slows more)

And that is how the story ends yet it’s a mere beginning
For David gambled all he had
And thanks to us he’s winning
(Restoration of original pace; choral and fiddle playout to finish)

NOTE: Part Two starts IMMEDIATELY after Part One has finished.

I await remarks from others.