The band has recorded many albums of instrumental Irish folk music, as well as multiple collaborations with popular musicians of many genres, including Country music, Galician traditional music, Cape Breton and Newfoundland music, and rock and roll. They have performed with Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Roger Daltrey, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Sinéad O'Connor, James Galway, Jackson Browne, Nancy Griffith and numerous Country-western artists. In 1975, the group won praise for their playing of "Women of Ireland" for Stanley Kubrick's movie Barry Lyndon.
They have won six Grammy Awards and have been nominated eighteen times. In 2002 they were given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the UK's BBC Radio 2. The front covers of the first four albums were designed by Edward Delaney.
Paddy Moloney is the band's leader, and composes or arranges most of the band's music. While the band's members changed numerous times in the band's early history, the membership solidified in 1979 when Matt Molloy replaced Michael Tubridy.
From then until 2002, members included:
Paddy Moloney (uilleann pipes, tin whistle, button accordion, bodhrán)
Matt Molloy (flute, tin whistle)
Kevin Conneff (bodhrán, vocals)
Seán Keane (fiddle, tin whistle)
Martin Fay (fiddle, bones) (born 1938; died 14 November 2012)
Derek Bell (Irish harp, keyboard instruments, oboe) (born 21 October 1935; died 17 October 2002)
In 2002, Fay retired from active membership. In the same year, Bell died due to complications following a minor operation. Fay died on 14 November 2012.
Changing Your Demeanour
The Chieftains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In case of death we've even brought a keener,
So, if you're glum and feeling down just feel like us
And act the clown and soon there'll be a change in your demeanour.
(lilting)
I put me money on a horse today for with the race he'd run away
Or so a friend that's in the know he told me,
But, woe was me, he lost the bloomin' jockey!
(lilting, followed by verse-long fiddle and whistle break)
Now of all the places I have seen from China to the Caribbean,
Are all across the goat compared to Ireland,
From Bally Castle to Tralie the Corup to the Liffy
There's no where else on earth but like this island.
(lilting, followed by short piano break)
In Hollywood I long to be, no, not the place across the sea,
But in county Wickloe Ireland's lovely garden.
Where no pretenders will you find but decent people warm and kind,
And flocks of friendly sheep into the bargain.
(lilting, followed by short fiddle and whistle break)
For your ills don't take a pill but take it down the road, the hills
And listen to the larks lovely warbling,
In the evening in the company with music in the key of E
You'll be dancing Kerry sets until the morning.
(lilting, followed by Dancing Kerry sets until the morning)
The Chieftains' song "Changing Your Demeanour" is a celebration of Irish culture and the unique personality of the Irish people. The song begins with the band announcing their arrival with pipes, flutes, and fiddles, and even bringing a keener in case of death. The lyrics then encourage the listener to lighten up and act the clown, promising a change in their demeanor. The chorus is lilting and infectious, urging the listener to join in and embrace the joyous spirit of Ireland.
The second verse tells a humorous story about a horse race, in which the singer has lost his money due to the incompetence of the jockey. The lyrics are filled with Irish slang and wit, adding to the charm of the song. The third verse celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of Ireland, with references to various locations across the country. The final verse advises the listener to cure their ills not with a pill, but with a trip to the hills to enjoy the music and dancing of a Kerry set. The song ends with a lively instrumental break and the promise of dancing until the morning.
Overall, "Changing Your Demeanour" is a joyous celebration of Irish culture and the unique personality of the Irish people. It encourages the listener to embrace the joy of life and to find happiness in the simple pleasures of music, dance, and community.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are we've come to call with pipes and flutes and fiddles and all
We've arrived with all our musical instruments, ready to lift your spirits
In case of death we've even brought a keener,
We're prepared for the worst, even death, with mournful music
So, if you're glum and feeling down just feel like us
If you're sad, follow our lead and embrace the music and fun
And act the clown and soon there'll be a change in your demeanour.
If you act silly and let go of your worries, your mood will improve
I put me money on a horse today for with the race he'd run away
I bet on a horse to win the race
Or so a friend that's in the know he told me,
I trusted a friend's insider knowledge of the horse's abilities
Twenty lengths ahead at most, he proundly cantered pass the post
The horse was impressively ahead of the others, but not by too much
But, woe was me, he lost the bloomin' jockey!
Unfortunately, the horse lost because the jockey fell off
Now of all the places I have seen from China to the Caribbean,
I've traveled the world and seen many places
Are all across the goat compared to Ireland,
But none of them compare to the beauty of Ireland
From Bally Castle to Tralie the Corup to the Liffy
From one end of Ireland to the other, there's beauty everywhere
There's no where else on earth but like this island.
There's no place like Ireland in the whole world
In Hollywood I long to be, no, not the place across the sea,
I dream of success in Hollywood, but not at the expense of leaving Ireland
But in county Wickloe Ireland's lovely garden.
I'd rather be in Ireland's beautiful County Wicklow
Where no pretenders will you find but decent people warm and kind,
Ireland is full of genuine, friendly people
And flocks of friendly sheep into the bargain.
And plenty of adorable sheep to enjoy
For your ills don't take a pill but take it down the road, the hills
When you're feeling down, don't turn to medication, head out into nature
And listen to the larks lovely warbling,
Listen to the beautiful birds singing
In the evening in the company with music in the key of E
In the evening, surrounded by the beautiful music of Ireland
You'll be dancing Kerry sets until the morning.
You'll be having so much fun dancing traditional Kerry sets that the night will turn into morning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KEVIN CONNEFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tom canterbury
on North Amerikay
the great accapella version by kevin on tribute to their harpist