Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she studied piano then took music at University College Dublin in 1987. Having learned to copy Ella Fitzgerald's scat singing, she performed in a Dublin bistro several nights per week while still a student. At the Royal Irish Academy of Music she studied classical music and sang in a jazz band, then a folk-ballad band, then another jazz band. She also fell under the influence of Dublin folk singer Frank Harte. During this time she also formed her own band, called Dorothy.
In 1993 Karan moved to New York City. There she studied jazz at Long Island University. When she encountered Irish traditional music sessions in New York she started singing Irish traditional music again. During this time she mostly sang in bars and locals. For most of 1994 she sang with a group called Atlantic Bridge. At the end of the year she joined Seamus Egan and others in Solas. She sang five songs on their first album in 1996. In the same year she sang in Tramps club in Manhattan, accompanied only by a percussionist. They mixed jazz and folk. In 1997 she recorded a solo album, Songlines, inspired by the novel of the same name by Bruce Chatwin. It was produced by Seamus Egan and included several members of Solas. There were a few traditional songs and some contemporary folk songs.
In 2000 Karan collaborated with several other singers on "Seal Maiden - A Celtic Musical". It was a musical version of the film "The Secret of Roan Inish", designed for children. It concerns the mythical creature called the selkie - a seal-woman. Since then Karan has recorded three further solo albums released in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In a salute to her Celtic roots, several tracks were recorded in her native Irish tongue. She also features on the DVD "Solas Live".
Her 2005 album Chasing the Sun includes a number of songs Casey wrote herself. Her records are released by Shanachie Records in the United States and Vertical Records in Europe.
Karan is now living in County Cork, and is married to Niall Vallely, a composer and player of traditional Irish music.
Solo albums
* Songlines (1997)
* Seal Maiden (2000)
* The Winds Begin To Sing (2001)
* Distant Shore (2003)
* Chasing The Sun (2005)
Recordings with Solas
* Solas (1996)
* Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers (1997)
* The Words That Remain (1998)
* Reunion: A Decade of Solas (2006, CD and DVD)
As session musician
* Dancing at Lughnasa (film) (1998)
* Waking Ned Devine (film) (1999)
* "Celtic Solstice" by Paul Winter
Roger the Miller
Karan Casey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a farmer's fine daughter called beautiful Kate
She had for her fortune a many fine things
Beautiful silks and gold, diamonds and rings
Her father, he gave her a neat plot of ground
She had also a fortune, she had also a fortune of five hundred pounds
Then the money and supper, they both were laid down
The sight of that money and beauty likewise
Made Roger's heart greedy and dazzled his eyes
"Now that your daughter and money is here
'Tis I will not have her, 'tis I will not have her without that gray mare"
Then the money and supper were taken from sight
And likewise young Kathy, his own heart's delight
Roger was taken and shown out the door
And ordered not for to come there anymore
'Twas then he did tear at his long yellow hair
Saying, "I wish I had never, I wish I had never spoke of that gray mare"
Now it was when six months, they were over and past
And Roger the miller, he met with his lass
"I think I do know you then, madam," said he
"I am the same way with you, sir," said she
"A man with your features with fine yellow hair
Oh he once came a-courting, he once came a-courting my father's gray mare"
"Well, it was not a-courting the gray mare I came
But you, my own jewel, my Kathy by name
I thought that your father would never dispute
To give me the gray mare with you to boot
And not to risk lose such a dutiful son
Oh it's now I am sorry, it's now I am sorry for what I have done"
"For your sorrow, young Roger, I have little regard
For there's plenty of men in this town to be had
If you forgot the gray mare, you'd be married, you see
But now you have neither the gray mare nor me
The price of that mare, it was never so great
Oh fare you well, Roger, oh fare you well, Roger, you're a sorrowful state"
Now Roger's away to his desolate home
And he sighs as he sits there and sups all alone
Kathy, she sings, she is happy and gay
She has wed a young miller who works the long day
Lads, when you're courting, be always aware
To court with a young maid, to court with a young maid and not the gray mare
The song "Roger the Miller" by Karan Casey tells the story of a miller named Roger who falls in love with a farmer's daughter named Kate. Kate has a significant fortune, including five hundred pounds, but Roger becomes greedy after seeing her wealth. He demands that he will only marry Kate if her father will also give him his gray mare. Kate's father is outraged by this request and kicks Roger out of their home. Months later, Roger meets Kate again and confesses that he only asked for the mare because he believed it would be an easy transaction. Kate refuses him, stating that she does not want to be with someone who values a horse over her. In the end, Kate marries another miller, leaving Roger to wallow in his regret.
The central message of the song is the importance of being sincere in love and not allowing greed or superficial desires to overshadow genuine affection. Roger's obsession with the mare leads to his downfall, as it shows that he is not truly interested in Kate but is only interested in using her father's wealth to acquire material possessions. The song also emphasizes the consequences of our actions and the importance of making thoughtful decisions that are not driven by selfishness or material gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Young Roger the miller came courting of late
Roger, who worked at a mill, came recently to court a young lady named Kate.
To a farmer's fine daughter called beautiful Kate
Kate was the beautiful daughter of a farmer.
She had for her fortune a many fine things, Beautiful silks and gold, diamonds and rings
Kate was wealthy, having many expensive items, such as beautiful clothing, gold, diamonds, and rings.
Her father, he gave her a neat plot of ground
Kate's father gave her a nice piece of land.
She had also a fortune, she had also a fortune of five hundred pounds
Kate had a large sum of money; specifically five hundred pounds.
Then the money and supper, they both were laid down
Money and food were laid out for the guests to enjoy.
Well, it was a great sight to see five hundred pounds
Five hundred pounds was a large sum of money to see in one place.
The sight of that money and beauty likewise
Seeing the money and the beautiful Kate simultaneously had a strong effect on Roger.
Made Roger's heart greedy and dazzled his eyes
Roger became greedy and was blinded by the beauty and wealth before him.
"Now that your daughter and money is here
Roger spoke up, saying that he would only take Kate as his bride if he could also have a gray mare.
'Tis I will not have her, 'tis I will not have her without that gray mare"
Roger was not willing to marry Kate unless he could also have the gray mare.
Then the money and supper were taken from sight
The money and food were taken away, as Roger's request was unreasonable.
And likewise young Kathy, his own heart's delight
In addition to the money, Kate was also taken away from Roger.
Roger was taken and shown out the door
Roger was escorted out of the home.
And ordered not for to come there anymore
Roger was forbidden from coming back to the home.
'Twas then he did tear at his long yellow hair
In shame, Roger pulled at his long, yellow hair.
Saying, "I wish I had never, I wish I had never spoke of that gray mare"
Roger regretted ever asking for the gray mare as a condition for marrying Kate.
Now it was when six months, they were over and past
Six months had passed since Roger had been kicked out of Kate's home.
And Roger the miller, he met with his lass
Roger was reunited with Kate.
"I think I do know you then, madam," said he
Roger recognized Kate when he saw her again.
"I am the same way with you, sir," said she
Kate also recognized Roger.
"A man with your features with fine yellow hair
Kate mentioned that she had met a man with Roger's appearance, specifically his fine, yellow hair.
Oh he once came a-courting, he once came a-courting my father's gray mare"
Kate revealed that the man she had met previously had asked for her hand in marriage on the condition that he could have the gray mare as well.
"Well, it was not a-courting the gray mare I came
Roger clarified that he did not really want to marry the gray mare.
But you, my own jewel, my Kathy by name
Roger told Kate that he was truly interested in marrying her and not the gray mare.
I thought that your father would never dispute
Roger thought that Kate's father would have no issue with him asking for the gray mare as well.
To give me the gray mare with you to boot
Roger had hoped to receive the gray mare in addition to marrying Kate.
And not to risk lose such a dutiful son
Roger explained that he had only mentioned the gray mare out of fear of losing favor with Kate's father.
Oh it's now I am sorry, it's now I am sorry for what I have done"
Roger apologized for his foolishness and for asking for the gray mare in the first place.
"For your sorrow, young Roger, I have little regard
Kate rejected Roger's apology, telling him that she did not care about his regret and foolishness.
For there's plenty of men in this town to be had
Kate did not want to marry Roger and reminded him that there were plenty of other eligible men for her to choose from.
If you forgot the gray mare, you'd be married, you see
Kate told Roger that if he had not mentioned the gray mare, he may have had a chance at marrying her.
But now you have neither the gray mare nor me
Roger had lost his chance at both the gray mare and marrying Kate.
The price of that mare, it was never so great
In retrospect, the gray mare was not worth the price Roger had paid for it.
Oh fare you well, Roger, oh fare you well, Roger, you're a sorrowful state
Kate bid Roger farewell and called him a sorry and pitiful figure.
Now Roger's away to his desolate home
Roger returned home to a sad and lonely life.
And he sighs as he sits there and sups all alone
Roger is shown sitting alone and sighing as he eats his supper.
She has wed a young miller who works the long day
Kate had found a new husband, a young miller who worked hard.
Lads, when you're courting, be always aware
The song concludes with advice for young men to be mindful when courting women.
To court with a young maid, to court with a young maid and not the gray mare
They are advised to court the women they are interested in and forget about any other unnecessary conditions, such as asking for a gray mare.
Contributed by Isaiah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@benny123ish
Young Roger the miller came courting of late
To a farmer's fine daughter called beautiful Kate
She had for her fortune a many fine things
Beautiful silks and gold, diamonds and rings
Her father, he gave her a neat plot of ground
She had also a fortune, she had also a fortune of five hundred pounds
Then the money and supper, they both were laid down
Well, it was a great sight to see five hundred pounds
The sight of that money and beauty likewise
Made Roger's heart greedy and dazzled his eyes
"Now that your daughter and money is here
'Tis I will not have her, 'tis I will not have her without that gray mare"
Then the money and supper were taken from sight
And likewise young Kathy, his own heart's delight
Roger was taken and shown out the door
And ordered not for to come there anymore
'Twas then he did tear at his long yellow hair
Saying, "I wish I had never, I wish I had never spoke of that gray mare"
Now it was when six months, they were over and past
And Roger the miller, he met with his lass
"I think I do know you then, madam," said he
"I am the same way with you, sir," said she
"A man with your features with fine yellow hair
Oh he once came a-courting, he once came a-courting my father's gray mare"
"Well, it was not a-courting the gray mare I came
But you, my own jewel, my Kathy by name
I thought that your father would never dispute
To give me the gray mare with you to boot
And not to risk lose such a dutiful son
Oh it's now I am sorry, it's now I am sorry for what I have done"
"For your sorrow, young Roger, I have little regard
For there's plenty of men in this town to be had
If you forgot the gray mare, you'd be married, you see
But now you have neither the gray mare nor me
The price of that mare, it was never so great
Oh fare you well, Roger, oh fare you well, Roger, you're a sorrowful state"
Now Roger's away to his desolate home
And he sighs as he sits there and sups all alone
Kathy, she sings, she is happy and gay
She has wed a young miller who works the long day
Lads, when you're courting, be always aware
To court with a young maid, to court with a young maid and not the gray mare
@vpolite1
I was buyer in a major record store, 20 years ago. I constantly play this song. This is how a real singer sings. This how musicians support the song.
@adamt1564
The music and lyrics in a perfect marriage!
@iliansarigo1969
I just randomly felt like looking this up and listening to it
@Catamariner
Excellent singing, and the sprightly setting and pace fit the lyrics so well! Too many deliver this without a trace of humor, 's the pity.
@joeblow4029
I love the way she sings with her tongue. She is a great singer
@basketballfan5763
If only u could hit like more than once!!!!! 🙏💗👍👍🤣😂🤣😂
@vpolite1
Brilliant. What more can you say.
@tomoole
Ah .... yet another revival of a great FRANK HARTE classic by Karan Casey.
She's covered a huge number of HARTE'S lifetime collection. Fertile ground indeed.
We all miss you FRANK HARTE R.I.P. ..... and well done Karan too !
@stefanschnyder8685
Lads, when you're listening to this song, be aware, the end holds some wisdom you shouldn't spare ;)
@tomoole
Frank Harte collected and revived this fine classic ballad - one of his VAST collection, which Casey has popularised.