Fiona Dalton's Irish Song Book

This episode's song is one of the modern rock classics by probably our most famous Irish band in the world, the one and only, U2. The song is 'One', aptly enough. So sit back and enjoy the song's story and Fiona's acapella version of it.

This is the ultimate song for unrequited love, where the only way for an artist to declare his eternal desire for a woman is to immortalize it in verse. Eventually, it becomes music, and the sentiment is forever remembered long after the moment of rejection.

Everybody loves to sail across the ocean on a big ship, but this week’s song is a trip you would not want to take, as it is a journey you would not forget and not even survive! So welcome aboard “The Irish Rover”, a song that will raise your sails!

“Green Fields of France” is a very poignant reminder of the futility of war. This sad but beautiful ballad is about one young Irish soldier giving his life in the trenches of World War I.

This week's song is a bit of an unknown entity, but I thought it was time it got out there in the limelight as it is one of my favorite love songs. It was written by an Irish artist whom I really like, so let me introduce “Falling In Love With You Again” by the wonderful Imelda May, probably Ireland’s best female performer right now.

This week we are going to get you moving with this lively jig of a song about love being in the air for springtime. So once again it is an American composition that the Irish have adopted for themselves, now get your dancing shoes on for My Irish Molly!

When you hear this song performed in your honor, you have been crowned the Rose of Tralee. It is the signature tune for an annual international pageant held every year in Ireland and probably one of our most famous ballads.

With the whole world looking at Ireland during Saint Patrick’s Day week, this is the song that encapsulates the spirit of the Irish personality. Everyone loves a smile but when you see it in a person’s eyes, it makes it so much brighter. The fact that the song is American symbolizes the special connection across the Atlantic between our two countries and the joy that Irish culture brings to the world.

If you love a song that touches the deepest reaches of our humanity, here is a piece that is a modern Irish classic that will melt your heart. It may use a horse as a theme, but it goes so much further. The song will sweep you away to a faraway place that will leave a lasting memory and feeling. Without further ado, here is Christy Moore’s outstanding “Ride On”. Enjoy!

This beautiful, haunting song tells the eternal story of unfulfilled love that is universal - boy meets girl, her family say no and she never gets to be with her man except in the afterlife when she returns to visit him. He sadly laments what could have been in the song. This is one of Ireland's all time great traditional ballads that will bring a tear to your eye. We hope you enjoy Fiona's version of this heart-wrenching song!

Our very first fantastic song is one that really came to light in the 1970’s by rock group Thin Lizzy. It's the story of a famous Irish highwayman that got his comeuppance in the end.

Today’s song is familiar all over the world in Irish pubs and sports grounds where an Irish team are playing. It's a sad ballad of how one man was harshly treated during the Great Irish Famine.