Hope Across the Sea – This song is dedicated to all those in our Lifeboat Service, Coastguard Service, Air Corp and ordinary people who save lives at sea, day in and day out. The song was inspired by a plaque I saw on Killmacalogue Harbour in County Cork commemorating those who lost their lives in the sinking of The Seaflower, which left Killmacalogue Harbour on 22nd December 1968 heading for Dursey Island, she never made it. I wish that this song will in some way bring some love, healing and peace to the families of those who have lost their lives at sea, and to the cherished ones who were lost at sea, Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam dilis. Recorded live at a house concert in Brian Callan’s wonderful house in Carrabane Village, County Galway. Lyrics to song here
Author: mickbrown99@gmail.com
Terance MacSwiney – Poet, Patriot, Statesman A Discourse from the Grave, 100 Years On
I wrote this tribute to Terence MacSwiney, Patriot, Poet, Playwright, Musician & 2nd lord Mayor of Cork, who died on hunger strike on 25th October 1920 for the cause of Irish Freedom. He gave the ultimate sacrifice that we may enjoy freedom. I spent a few days leading up to the 100th aniversary of his death writing this tribute poem. I got the idea to set the poem to an old traditional air called Cape Clear that I got from the playing of the wonderful Paddy Keenan & Arty McGlynn. A lockdown project and Sitting room recording. Thanks to Axel Grude from Songcraft Studios for putting his final touches of magical genius to the audio for the track.
The Robin Song
Performing The Robin Song in Ballymore Eustace, Kildare with Children from 5 schools. I wrote this song after a Robin sang to me one morning one day when I arrived in work. The Robin is often seen as a messenger from a loved one who has passed on. I dedicate the song to my Wonderful Sister Gemma who died 7 days before Christmas in 2013 and to all of us who hold our departed loved ones in our hearts especially at Christmas time. It is a song of hope. Gemma started the carol service in Ballymore Eustace, county Kildare where 5 schools now come together every year to sing carols. I am so honoured and moved that these children learned the song and sang it with me in this video, a definite highlight in my journey through song to date.
Continue reading The Robin SongThe Drink Link Bus Scheme
Performed at the Traditional Singing session in the iconic Crane Bar Galway, this humorous but thought provoking story song was written about a fella in Rural Ireland who is suffering from Rural Isolation. All the places he used to meet his friends & neighbours are closing down around him. He decides to take matters into his own hands.
Annual Busk for Cope Galway’s work with the Homeless
I took the this picture while out walking the prom along with other happy go lucky Galwegians. I have been privileged to have worked many years in the area of homelessness, met some wonderful characters who taught me so much. However these past few years, I have never seen so many people sleeping on the streets. This particular picture really makes me emotional, I think it may be the art piece of the Galway Hooker beside where this homeless person is sleeping. The Galway Hooker is such an iconic image of all that is good about Galway, and look what we have become !!! Surely we can do better than this.
This Wednesday 04th December 2pm to 6pm we will be doing our annual Busking event for the Homeless of Galway on Shop St, Galway. All the money collected will be going towards COPE Galway’s Resettlement team and will go directly to their work on the ground supporting people to move out of homelessness.
This year as always, we will have the wonderful support of the people of Galway with their generosity which is so inspiring. Musicians from The Western Hotel and The Imperial Hotel Thursday Sessions who call themselves the ‘Eyre Square Ceili Band’ will be joining us. Jim Cotter will be bringing his band of merry men and women from the Mervue Community Music session which meets every Friday in Mervue GAA Club and the musicians from Killorans will be marching in from Salthill to join us on Shop St. As usual it will be all hands on deck, Singers, Dancers, jugglers, bucket shakers, comedians and chancers all welcome, for a great cause.
Huckleberry Finn & Me
This song is about my younger brother and I growing up adventurous little kids, roaming wild and free through the countryside. Its about looking at the world with eyes of wonder, fun and seeing new possibilities, yes we still can.
Continue reading Huckleberry Finn & MeLike the River Flows – Supporting Book Launch
I can’t stop writing songs, I suppose it’s a good complaint and I always did like a fresh challenge. I met Evelyn, a nun who started writing in her 80’s at a Spiritual talk recently and she told me that she had a book launch coming up. I asked her what the name of her new book, and she said: ‘Like the River Flows’. Instantly I said, I’ll write a song for you as I loved the title. She scuttled off and came back with the book, I brought it home, that night I had a song written. A couple of days later I had another song written, all inspired by her book. My words go as follows;
“Swift – the river flows, gushing down the mountain, Through the rushy glen, where the blackbird sings Amen. Dancing with delight, an orchestra of light, nourishing the land where the hare and pheasant stand. Flow river flow gently she goes back into the ocean of love, Flow river flow, gently we go back into the ocean of love.”
So we have met since, and she read from the book and I sang the songs and she is happy that the songs are complementing her text. She is launching her book in Ballinasloe Library on 30th Nov 2019 and in Croà Nua, Galway city on 7th Dec 2019. Looking forward to it, that’s what I love about songwriting, it always leads me down unusual and wondrous paths where I meet some really interesting people.
Song for Brigid Official Video
This Song for Brigid video was released on Imbolc 1st Feb 2021. The song honours Brigid, Godess and Celtic saint, woman of the earth. It heralds the coming of spring, moving from the darkness into the light and new life.
Kinvara FM Radio – Crinniú na Mbád Festival 2018
I had great fun at the Crinniú na mbád festival in Kinvarra being interviewed on Rose O Connor’s Come West Along the Road Radio Program. Had a wonderful time with Rose and all the gang in Kinvara FM. I played my song ‘The Sands of Inis óirr’ and my song ‘Gaillimh Abú’ for the galway hurlers. I was joined by a drummer who happened to be in the studio on the day, an impromptu session, mighty craic altogether.
Kinvara FM Radio Interview with Rose O Connor, Come West Along the Road Show
Songs ‘The Sands of Inis óirr and Gaillimh Abú
“Mick is a very popular singer with kinvara fm” – Rose O Connor, Presenter ‘Come West Along the Road with Rose’ Radio Show
On Recruitment trail for Musicians for Christmas Annual Busk for charity for the Homeless, COPE Galway
2024 is the 16th year that I’ve been involved in organising a Christmas Busk to support local charity COPE Galway in their work with the homeless in Galway. Each Year, come hail, rain or shine, a large group of musicians gather to busk on Shop St, Galway. It is always a great atmosphere and a very heart filled occasion. The generosity of the people of Galway always lifts my heart with infusing it with the real meaning of Christmas. Each year, those willing to sing, dance, play an instrument, shake a bucket, tell jokes all come along to make it a wonderful community event for a great cause.