Shannon began her own recording career in 1989, working with producer John Dunford and musicians such as Adam Clayton, Mike Scott and Steve Wickham. The work with Scott and Wickham led to Shannon's joining their band, The Waterboys. Shannon was with the band for eighteen months, and contributed both accordion and fiddle to their Room to Roam album. Like Wickham, she left the group when Scott and group member Anthony Thistlethwaite wanted to move the band back to a more rock and roll sound. With Disirt Tola, Shannon toured the United States at age fourteen, whereas her first world tour was with The Waterboys.
Shannon's solo work has achieved remarkable airplay and commercial success, especially in Ireland. After her inclusion on A Woman's Heart, a compilation album and a tribute to her work on The Late Late Show, Shannon's music received a great deal of exposure, contributing to the record-breaking sales of her debut album
Her 2000 album, The Diamond Mountain Sessions, which included vocals from a wide variety of artists, was also a commercial success, being certified triple platinum.
Shannon recorded with Steve Earle on the song "The Galway Girl", which was released on both Earle's album Transcendental Blues, and Shannon & Friends' The Diamond Mountain Sessions. Both albums were released in 2000.
Another collaboration with Earle was the instrumental "Dominic Street", released on Earle's 2002 album Sidetracks. Shannon has also worked with Jackson Browne, the band Coolfin, Dónal Lunny, Moya Brennan, Kirsty MacColl, Christy Moore, Sinéad O'Connor, Liam O'Maonlai, and John Prine, amongst others.
Her more recent albums include:
Renegade (2007)
Saints & Scoundrels (2009)
Upside down (2009)
Flying Circus (2012)
Courtin' In The Kitchen
Sharon Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don′t ever fall in love, it's the devil′s own invention
For once I fell in love with a maiden so bewitchin'
Miss Henrietta Bell, out of Captain Kelly's kitchen
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, me toora loora laddy.
At the age of seventeen, I was ′prenticed to a grocer
Not far from Stephen′s Green, where Miss Henry used to go, sir
She invited me to a hooley in the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
Next Sunday bein′ the day we were to have the flare-up
I dressed myself quite gay, an' I frizzed and oiled my hair up
The Captain had no wife, he had gone out a-fishin′
So we kicked up high life, down below-stairs in the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
Just as the clock struck six we sat down to the table
She handed tea and cakes --- I ate while I was able,
I drank hot punch and tea, till my side had got a stitch in
And the hours pass quick away, when courtin' in the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
With my arms around her waist, she slyly hinted marriage
To the door in dreadful haste came Captain Kelly′s carriage!
Her eyes soon filled with hate and poison she was spittin'
When the captain at the door, walked right into the kitchen
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
She flew up off my knees, full five feet up or higher
And over heads and heels, threw me slap into the fire
My new Repealers coat, that I'd bought from Mrs. Stichen
With a thirty-shilling note, went to blazes in the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
I grieved to see my duds, all smeared with smoke and ashes
When a tub of dirty suds, right in my face she dashes.
As I lay on the floor, and the water she kept pitchin′
Till the footman broke the door, and marched into the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
When the Captain came downstairs, though and saw my situation
In spite of all my prayers I was marched off to the station
For me they′d take no bail, tho' to get home I was itchin′
And I had to tell the tale of how I got in the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
I said she did invite me, but she gave a flat denial
For assault she did indict me, and I was sent for trial.
She swore I robbed the house, in spite of all her screechin'
And I got six months hard, for my coortin′ in the kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, toora loora laddy.
The song "Courtin' In The Kitchen" by Sharon Shannon tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a maiden named Henrietta Bell, who works in Captain Kelly's kitchen. He warns other young men and women not to fall in love because "it's the devil's own invention." He describes how Henrietta invites him to a hooley (party/gathering) in the kitchen, and how they courted each other while drinking tea and hot punch. However, their courtship is abruptly ended when Captain Kelly comes home early and catches them. In a fit of rage, Henrietta throws the young man into a fire and ruins his new Repealers coat. He is then arrested and sentenced to six months in jail for "coortin' in the kitchen."
The lyrics of "Courtin' In The Kitchen" are a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling in love, especially if it's with someone who is already spoken for. The young man in the song pays a heavy price for his love for Henrietta, and it serves as a warning to others to be careful when pursuing romance. The song also highlights the cultural importance of the kitchen in Irish households, as it was often the center of social gatherings.
Line by Line Meaning
Come single belle and beau, to me now pay attention
Listen carefully to my story, single men and women.
Don't ever fall in love, it's the devil's own invention
Love can cause trouble, it's a risky business.
For once I fell in love with a maiden so bewitchin'
I once fell in love with a charming young woman.
Miss Henrietta Bell, out of Captain Kelly's kitchen
Her name was Henrietta Bell and she worked in Captain Kelly's kitchen.
To my toora loora la, my toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, me toora loora laddy.
A refrain expressing the artist's mood.
At the age of seventeen, I was 'prenticed to a grocer
Not far from Stephen's Green, where Miss Henry used to go, sir
I was apprenticed to a grocer when I was seventeen and Henry also used to visit that street.
Her manners were sublime, she set me heart a-twitchin'
She invited me to a hooley in the kitchen.
She had great manners and I was attracted to her. She invited me to a party in the kitchen.
Next Sunday bein' the day we were to have the flare-up
I dressed myself quite gay, an' I frizzed and oiled my hair up
Our party was set to happen on the upcoming Sunday, so I dressed up and prepared my hair for the occasion.
The Captain had no wife, he had gone out a-fishin'
So we kicked up high life, down below-stairs in the kitchen.
The Captain was not at home, so we partied in the kitchen.
Just as the clock struck six we sat down to the table
She handed tea and cakes --- I ate while I was able,
We sat down to eat and she offered me tea and cakes which I enjoyed.
I drank hot punch and tea, till my side had got a stitch in
And the hours pass quick away, when courtin' in the kitchen.
I drank hot punch and tea until I got a side ache and time passed quickly when we were enjoying ourselves.
With my arms around her waist, she slyly hinted marriage
To the door in dreadful haste came Captain Kelly's carriage!
She hinted at us getting married while we embraced but the Captain came home unexpectedly.
Her eyes soon filled with hate and poison she was spittin'
When the captain at the door, walked right into the kitchen
She was angry and cursed when the captain walked into the kitchen.
She flew up off my knees, full five feet up or higher
And over heads and heels, threw me slap into the fire
She abruptly got up from my lap and threw me into the fire.
My new Repealers coat, that I'd bought from Mrs. Stichen
With a thirty-shilling note, went to blazes in the kitchen.
My new coat, which I bought with a lot of money, got burnt in the fire.
I grieved to see my duds, all smeared with smoke and ashes
When a tub of dirty suds, right in my face she dashes.
My clothes were ruined and I was further hit with a tub of dirty water in my face.
As I lay on the floor, and the water she kept pitchin'
Till the footman broke the door, and marched into the kitchen.
I was lying on the floor while she kept throwing water on me. Eventually, the footman broke down the door and came into the kitchen.
When the Captain came downstairs, though and saw my situation
In spite of all my prayers I was marched off to the station
The Captain came downstairs and saw what had happened to me. However, I was still arrested and taken to the station even though I begged for mercy.
For me they'd take no bail, tho' to get home I was itchin'
And I had to tell the tale of how I got in the kitchen.
I was not given bail and I was desperate to go home. I had to explain how I ended up in this situation.
I said she did invite me, but she gave a flat denial
For assault she did indict me, and I was sent for trial.
I told them that she invited me, but she denied it. She accused me of assault and I was tried in court.
She swore I robbed the house, in spite of all her screechin'
And I got six months hard, for my coortin' in the kitchen.
She claimed that I robbed the house even though I explained my story. I was sentenced to six months hard labor for my courtship in the kitchen.
Writer(s): Mundy, Dempsey Damien Jude Patrick, Dessie O'halloran, Donal Lunny, Ger Kiely, Lloyd Byrne, Shannon Gerard Paul Mary, Shannon Sharon Teresa, Tony Molloy
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rosaleenkelly4539
Love his voice ❤
@Briboyification
There is nothing better than Irish music.
@danhanks5952
too right
@grahamdonachie6298
I agree...
@kranzceii
Dessie O'Halloran is an absolute trip! I was unaware there was a studio recording of this version of the song. I was only aware of the live version with the Brennans. Well done...
@Tokechan
Awww, I was excited to hear Shane. Ah well, still pretty sweet. Like the reggae infusion.
@davyblue0123
82 of these views are mine from the last two days!! Addicted
@Genavovo
My favourite tune of all time...great...its been around a long time thankfully mundy has been singing this for a good few years !!!! its fanny tastic though !!!!
@THGIRLSALOUDFAN121
best irish song ever!!!!!cmon the irish
@margaretmarymcguiness5391
Fantastic fiddler R. I. P.