While MacIsaac's fiddle-playing is entirely traditional, he sets it in contemporary rock songs with hip hop and dance elements.
His greatest mainstream success in Canada was his 1995 album Hi™ How Are You Today?, featuring the hit single "Sleepy Maggie," with vocals in Gaelic by Mary Jane Lamond.
Fairy Dance
Ashley MacIsaac Lyrics
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No more auction block for me, no more, no more
No more auction block for me, no more, no more, no more
No more driver's lash for me, no more, no more
No more driver's lash for me, no more, no more
No more driver's lash for me, no more, no more
No more begging on my knees, no more, no more
I am going to set myself free for sure, for sure
And a allemande left and a allemande right
And a allemande left and a allemande right
All join hands, now let's [incomprehensible] on the right
The lyrics to Ashley MacIsaac's song "Fairy Dance" speak to themes of liberation and freedom from oppression. In particular, the lyrics "Hangman hangman, slack your rope, slack it for a while / No more auction block for me, no more, no more" refer to the practice of auctioning off enslaved people in the United States. The singer is telling the hangman to "slack [his] rope" - to pause in his work of executing enslaved people - because the singer will no longer be subject to that fate. They will not be sold as property on the auction block anymore.
The lyrics also touch on the experience of being subject to physical punishments like the "driver's lash." These were whippings administered by white overseers to enslaved people in order to keep them working. The singer states that they will no longer be subject to this abuse: "No more driver's lash for me, no more, no more." They express their determination to be free and to not have to beg for their freedom ("No more begging on my knees") before inviting others to join hands and dance in celebration of their liberation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hangman hangman, slack your rope, slack it for a while
Addressing the hangman, Ashley requests him to loosen the noose for a brief period.
No more auction block for me, no more, no more
Ashley speaks of his relief at being spared from the slave auction block.
No more driver's lash for me, no more, no more
Ashley rejoices in his liberation from being whipped by his driver.
No more begging on my knees, no more, no more
Ashley expresses gratitude for no longer needing to plead to be spared from punishment.
I am going to set myself free for sure, for sure
Ashley promises himself that he will find a way to break free from captivity.
And a allemande left and a allemande right
Ashley refers to the popular dance steps, indicating his desire to celebrate his newfound freedom.
All join hands, now let's [incomprehensible] on the right
Ashley calls for all to unite and share in the joy that comes with freedom.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ASHLEY DWAYNE MACISAAC, JOHN MORRIS RANKIN, ROGER WILLIAM GREENAWALT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind