Does anyone have an idea what the term "Humours" means that appears in the title of so many reels....The Humours of Westport, The Humours of Tulla etc. Seems most of the reels with this title are placenames. I´d never really thought about it, but somebody asked me recently (a german fellow musician)
the humours is the balance of the 4 (or 5) energies that flow through the human body (ask any Tibetan). My favourite is the humours of whisky...happily flowing through me right now....Sire...
Thanks everybody. I should have first checked previous discussions. There´s loads of info in there. Sometimes you imagine you´re the only one with "stupid" questions.
No worries, deirjon— hardly a stupid question. "Humours" I think is now considered either an archaic term or one with very restricted regional usage. And I maintain these discussion are like the tunes themselves. No matter how many times you've been through 'em, doesn't mean you're not game to go round again.
I think Steve has it sussed and strangely enough when you hit the Humerus with a decent whack, you say that you've hit your funny bone... humorous isn't it..
What about "The Ulnas of Tulla"
or "The Radii of Kerry"
Depends on the context I'd think. In the context of tune titles it could be understood as being interchangeable with the terms "craic" or "sport" in the modern context. But craic wouldn't be used in the third party or convey the same pure drop old worldie lyrical quality that the term "humours" would. Sport is closer but still short of the mark.
Humours comes from the gaelic word Umar meaning a trough which, many years ago , they filled with human urine to soak the linen and Frieze cloth in to thicken the fibres.Men and women would sit around the trough in their bare feet stomping on the cloth and probably lilting at the same time.A great way to develop a repetoire of tunes!
I'm partial to a Kenilworth myself, piping hot and without milk or sweetener. Good in the morning, afternoon, or evening and is complemented nicely by a variety of biscuits in cocoa or fruit flavors.
The Meaning of "Humours"
The Meaning of "Humours"
Does anyone have an idea what the term "Humours" means that appears in the title of so many reels....The Humours of Westport, The Humours of Tulla etc. Seems most of the reels with this title are placenames. I´d never really thought about it, but somebody asked me recently (a german fellow musician)
Thanks.
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by deirjon
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
doesn't it mean something like.. "the quality".. "what it is".. of whatever place in the name?
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by banjoloon
The Meaning of "Humours" ~ just a few discussions of yore ~
Humours
# Posted on October 9th 2001 by glauber
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/131
Rakes (& humours too) -what are they?
# Posted on November 20th 2002 by Carrmuse
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/1088
The Humours of...?
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by BanjoBongo
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/20323
A humours(ous?) question...
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by RogueFiddler
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5772
tunes with humours
# Posted on November 3rd 2009 by sandy2
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/23015
the meaning of the word "humors"
# Posted on March 17th 2010 by Yooval
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/24092
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
the humours is the balance of the 4 (or 5) energies that flow through the human body (ask any Tibetan). My favourite is the humours of whisky...happily flowing through me right now....Sire...
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by mickyfong
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
"Humours of Whisky"
What'll make the dumb talk, what will make the lame walk,
What's the elixir of life and philospher's stone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMRMDogu2c
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by Ben Steen
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Thanks everybody. I should have first checked previous discussions. There´s loads of info in there. Sometimes you imagine you´re the only one with "stupid" questions.
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by deirjon
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
No worries, deirjon— hardly a stupid question. "Humours" I think is now considered either an archaic term or one with very restricted regional usage. And I maintain these discussion are like the tunes themselves. No matter how many times you've been through 'em, doesn't mean you're not game to go round again.
# Posted on March 6th 2011 by fidkid
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
The Fun wee Had at / with !
The Humors of Tulla - The Fun wee Had at Tulla
jim,,,
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
No question is stupid deirjin, and a good one is worthy of being repeated... Thanks for yours...
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
I think of humours as moods. In a good mood, in a bad mood, in a melancholy mood, etc. etc. etc.
A town can have its moods, clearly.
As can The Mustard.
Hmmn.
"The Humours Of The Mustard".
Hornpipe?
Barndance?
Mazurka?
Tango?
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Piece
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Tango, except with more than two.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Ben Steen
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
It's a bone in your upper arm. Duh.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Steve Shaw
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
I think Steve has it sussed and strangely enough when you hit the Humerus with a decent whack, you say that you've hit your funny bone... humorous isn't it..
What about "The Ulnas of Tulla"
or "The Radii of Kerry"
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Theirlandais
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
"can The Mustard"
Is that a tune ;)
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by cboody
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
It's a chain of comedy clubs with franchises in small villages all over Ireland.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by GaryAMartin
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Depends on the context I'd think. In the context of tune titles it could be understood as being interchangeable with the terms "craic" or "sport" in the modern context. But craic wouldn't be used in the third party or convey the same pure drop old worldie lyrical quality that the term "humours" would. Sport is closer but still short of the mark.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Solidmahog
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Isn't it a Greek chickpea-based dip?
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by RockyRoader
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
"The Humours Of The Mustard".
Coleman's Mustard?
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
""can The Mustard"
Is that a tune ;)"
All right, all right - I admit that I got sloppy with my writing.
I shall strive to compose complete sentences, with proper spelling and punctuation.
Mea culpa,
mea culpa,
mea maxima culpa.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Piece
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
you are forgiven, my son. Now go and play three reels and five jigs.
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Humours comes from the gaelic word Umar meaning a trough which, many years ago , they filled with human urine to soak the linen and Frieze cloth in to thicken the fibres.Men and women would sit around the trough in their bare feet stomping on the cloth and probably lilting at the same time.A great way to develop a repetoire of tunes!
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by cos
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
So it means dancing up to your ankles in p*ss? Sounds like Glasgow's Barrowlands
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by ...
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Yey sound good to me llig.
Reel- up to your ankles in p*ss ,, lol
jim,,
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Sorry about typo's,
A dog was winging for a bit of my Chocolate Biscuit.
jim,,,
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Whinging ?
jim,,,
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
whingeing?
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by Steve Shaw
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
Thanks Steve.
lol
jim,,,
# Posted on March 7th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
My parrot goes winging for my snackies.
My cats whine and yowl.
The wife simply tells me.
Mmm.
WAIT!!!!!
What did you say?
Biscuits?
Yum - Chocolate biscuits.
What brand?
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by Piece
Re: The Meaning of "Humours"
what's that website, Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down?
http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/
I'm partial to a Kenilworth myself, piping hot and without milk or sweetener. Good in the morning, afternoon, or evening and is complemented nicely by a variety of biscuits in cocoa or fruit flavors.
# Posted on March 8th 2011 by gravelwalks