Was sent this by a friend, who obviously had conncections in higher places than I realized....haha
Avian Flu-Pandemic
Pursuant to the current alarms regarding the potential threat posed by Avian Flu, it is a little known fact that the virus can manifest in a variety of different forms. A recent memo from Washington D.C. branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann raised concern over the possibility of contamination of the tune repertoire that could start pandemic and devastate the musical tradition. It is therefore recommended that all tunes with avian references be avoided at sessions and performances
until further studies can be completed. Banned tunes include those such as Jenny’s Chickens, Bird in the Bush, Leg of the Duck, Skylark, Pigeon on the Gate and many more. Responsible musicians are asked to search and
delete such tunes from their repertoire until further notice.
Plus, I'm never going to stop playing Pigeon. And look at my moniker! I am actually called the Red Crow at my regular sessions. I won't stop playing that either.
They can't be serious. I hope. It's a strange world.
I actually have a small flock of chickens running about on property. Only 9 of them. Yesterday I received a pamphlet from the US Dept. of Agriculture about precautions I should take to avoid a biological catastrophe in by back yard.
What I want to know is how the USDA knew about my little flock. I didn't buy them mail order from a big chicken outfit or anything like that--I just bought them at the local feed store in rual Iowa.
Toss the Feathers (so I have been told) refers to the days when mattresses were full of feathers, so tossing the feathers meant.....(blush)......well, you know.......
I've heard a suggestion that Toss the Feathers referred to the feathers that soldiers had on their headgear when wearing formal dress uniform. Chris Paton, the last British Governor of Hong Kong, famously refused to wear a "dead chicken" on his head on formal occasions.
Soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars brought many dances from the European continent back to the British Isles, and the influence is still around today.
Come to think of it, I was feeling a little down after playing the blackbird the other night and little weird after finishing the Cuckoo's nest......Boy these governmental officials are really on top of things--I feel so secure now..
I suppose the Skylark will have to be taken off the list not to mention the Old Grey Goose and the Geese in the Bog. Thank God the mad cow disease is under control so the Cow that ate the Blanket can still be played with impunity!
What if banning all these tunes starts an underground tune movement? People will start playing tunes illegally in their backyards and then showing up in emergency rooms. They might not even use proper Irish trad instruments. I don't think you'll ever actually stop people from playing these tunes. The people who really want to play them will play in back alleys, backyards, and the dreaded kitchen sessions.
I couldn't bring myself to stop playing the Lark in the Morning !!...anyway I'm vegetarian ,& speaking of things being banned , A friend of mine has a theory as to why Irish dancers hold their arms rigidly by their sides.
He says that back in the days when the english banned ,or made illegal, most things Irish in an effort to kill our wonderful culture the Irish dancers would stand behind walls as the black & tan soldiers (if you could call them that !) would drive by in their open top trucks , & would have their legs dancing frantically behind the wall but with their arms and upper body held still so as not to be caught by the passing terrorists ( I mean english soldiers)!!!
He also gives a very funny demonstration when telling this story !
I think Pingu should be worried too.........
Must The Lark in the Clear Air also go ?
Hens' March to the Midden would not be a geat loss ( being scottish 'n'all ), though it's a good piece to amuse the schoolkids on my concertina.
Hey guys, we are all joking about this Avian Flu beastie but one of our neighbours has had to do away with all his Ducks, Geese & Chickens! - so who knows where they'll stop, in an effort to rid our world of birds.
Better put an elastic band round your budgie's beak, lest the neighbours hear him chattering & report you!
Just when you finalized that tune list....
Just when you finalized that tune list....
Was sent this by a friend, who obviously had conncections in higher places than I realized....haha
Avian Flu-Pandemic
Pursuant to the current alarms regarding the potential threat posed by Avian Flu, it is a little known fact that the virus can manifest in a variety of different forms. A recent memo from Washington D.C. branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann raised concern over the possibility of contamination of the tune repertoire that could start pandemic and devastate the musical tradition. It is therefore recommended that all tunes with avian references be avoided at sessions and performances
until further studies can be completed. Banned tunes include those such as Jenny’s Chickens, Bird in the Bush, Leg of the Duck, Skylark, Pigeon on the Gate and many more. Responsible musicians are asked to search and
delete such tunes from their repertoire until further notice.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by lawhistle
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
WHAT ! ! ! ! ! !
That's just strange.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by Red Crow
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Plus, I'm never going to stop playing Pigeon. And look at my moniker! I am actually called the Red Crow at my regular sessions. I won't stop playing that either.
They can't be serious. I hope. It's a strange world.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by Red Crow
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Does this also refer to ptarmigan, red crow and other avian players of the music?
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by cuchulain54
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Is Gander in the Pratie Hole on the list. I've never been sure whether Gander is used as a noun or a verb.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by IC Keith
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
And Toss the Feathers? I suppose the tune could be referring to horse feathers or something.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by cuchulain54
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
JIm-
(and THIS is directly from Chicago)
I will not ignore it. Just won't put the order into practice.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by Red Crow
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
I actually have a small flock of chickens running about on property. Only 9 of them. Yesterday I received a pamphlet from the US Dept. of Agriculture about precautions I should take to avoid a biological catastrophe in by back yard.
What I want to know is how the USDA knew about my little flock. I didn't buy them mail order from a big chicken outfit or anything like that--I just bought them at the local feed store in rual Iowa.
So how did the government know?
Very Orwellian.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by IC Keith
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Toss the Feathers (so I have been told) refers to the days when mattresses were full of feathers, so tossing the feathers meant.....(blush)......well, you know.......
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
In other words, you could have diseases other than avian flu to worry about?
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by cuchulain54
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
I've heard a suggestion that Toss the Feathers referred to the feathers that soldiers had on their headgear when wearing formal dress uniform. Chris Paton, the last British Governor of Hong Kong, famously refused to wear a "dead chicken" on his head on formal occasions.
Soldiers returning from the Napoleonic wars brought many dances from the European continent back to the British Isles, and the influence is still around today.
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by lazyhound
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Come to think of it, I was feeling a little down after playing the blackbird the other night and little weird after finishing the Cuckoo's nest......Boy these governmental officials are really on top of things--I feel so secure now..
# Posted on November 10th 2005 by fiddlefamily
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Another "Toss the Feathers" name explanation! I love it when we get options to choose from.
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Guess I have to stop playing the Noisy Curlew as well. Thanks for the warning!!!
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by TheSilverSpear
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
I suppose the Skylark will have to be taken off the list not to mention the Old Grey Goose and the Geese in the Bog. Thank God the mad cow disease is under control so the Cow that ate the Blanket can still be played with impunity!
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Bannerman
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
What if banning all these tunes starts an underground tune movement? People will start playing tunes illegally in their backyards and then showing up in emergency rooms. They might not even use proper Irish trad instruments. I don't think you'll ever actually stop people from playing these tunes. The people who really want to play them will play in back alleys, backyards, and the dreaded kitchen sessions.
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by TheSilverSpear
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
What about the Blackbird, Thrush in the Storm and the Morning Thrush? Or the Grey Plover, The Hawk...?
Bx
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by briantheflute
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
I just hope Jeremy doesn't decide that, in the interest of health & safety, all birdy tunes be removed from thesession!
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
This discussion is for the birds.
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Crested Hens would be off the list then.
Bummer - just taught the band.
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
I couldn't bring myself to stop playing the Lark in the Morning !!...anyway I'm vegetarian ,& speaking of things being banned , A friend of mine has a theory as to why Irish dancers hold their arms rigidly by their sides.
He says that back in the days when the english banned ,or made illegal, most things Irish in an effort to kill our wonderful culture the Irish dancers would stand behind walls as the black & tan soldiers (if you could call them that !) would drive by in their open top trucks , & would have their legs dancing frantically behind the wall but with their arms and upper body held still so as not to be caught by the passing terrorists ( I mean english soldiers)!!!
He also gives a very funny demonstration when telling this story !
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Eamonn Croke
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
I think Pingu should be worried too.........
Must The Lark in the Clear Air also go ?
Hens' March to the Midden would not be a geat loss ( being scottish 'n'all ), though it's a good piece to amuse the schoolkids on my concertina.
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Anyone know the current stock market standing of KFC, what with all this furor ?
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
A Clucking Concertina eh Pete? Now that I'd like to hear.
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Hey guys, we are all joking about this Avian Flu beastie but one of our neighbours has had to do away with all his Ducks, Geese & Chickens! - so who knows where they'll stop, in an effort to rid our world of birds.
Better put an elastic band round your budgie's beak, lest the neighbours hear him chattering & report you!
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Just when you finalized that tune list....
Never mind the tunes, bear a thought for the poor hunters - what will the Fowler on the Moor have left to shoot at?
# Posted on November 11th 2005 by Bannerman