James Joyce, Leopold Bloom, Dublin, Ulysses, Irish Rain, romance, a Kerry lass, Jamesons, Temple Bar, Martello Tower, whiskey in the jar - they all coalesce into this rollicking fun, drinking, thinking, romantic song. It all transpires, like Joyce's mountain of a book Ulysses, on Bloomsday, June 16 in Dublin. If you can't be there in person, experience Bloomsday vicariously (and in the Irish rain) through this song.
Howard Gladstone started writing the song after his Bloomsday visit to Dublin, and enlisted Tony Quarrington to finalize it. It was recorded with a great group of guys and one great gal. Open a pint, crack open Ulysses, and have a listen.
This version is a "rough mix" from Howard Gladstone's upcoming 2023 album. Enjoy!
lyrics
In the Irish Rain Irish Rain Irish Rain
It seemed to me the Celtic sun might never shine again
The forecast it was gloomy
But sure, I'll not complain
For I walked her home all in the Irish Rain
It was Bloomsday when our love began to flower
Under a foreboding Dublin sky
The thunder struck and rain began to shower
When a very literary Kerry Colleen caught my eye
When I said my name was James
She told me hers was Joyce
I didn't want to credit her at first
We waited out the shower by the Old Martello Tower
While she quoted from the Master page and verse
In the Irish Rain Irish Rain Irish Rain
It seemed to me the Celtic sun might never shine again
The forecast it was gloomy
But sure, I'll not complain
For I walked her home all in the Irish Rain
The Jameson's was flowing
And she could hold her drink
With the very best in Temple Bar
Reciting from Ulysses, it's not a job for sissies
And it's better when there's whiskey in the jar
By the River Liffey it was iffy
We stood dripping as my love I did confess
When the sun came out, she left me in no doubt
Saying yes, she said yes, she said yes I will yes
In the Irish Rain Irish Rain Irish Rain
It seemed to me the Celtic sun might never shine again
The forecast it was gloomy
But sure, I'll not complain
For I walked her home all in the Irish Rain
On a Bloomsday
For I walked her home all in the Irish Rain
credits
released June 15, 2023
Howard Gladstone - vocal
Tony Quarrington - guitar, background vocal
Bob Cohen - guitar, bass
Shelley Coopersmith - violin
Jacob Gorshalzhan - flute
Glen Andersen- drums, woodblock
Ed Roth - accordion
Alan McKinlay - background vocal
Howard Gladstone, Toronto singer/songwriter, has released 7 albums of original music. Crossing the boundaries between
genres of folk, rock, world, jazz, etc, these songs have lyrical bite & tenderness, all delivered with excellent supporting musicians and audiophile quality recording.
"If you heard this music in a crowded room, you'd swear it was a lost gem from another time." Toronto
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