I began this project after thinking that some tunes in the Irish tradition do not always get a chance to tell their story. Often many tunes don't even have a name - gan ainm - or it has been forgotten or are referred to as 'do you know this one?' or 'what do you call that one?' I asked my friends to suggest fifty random tune titles which came from the tradition already or were ones they had thought of themselves for a self composed tune.

I decided then that the title of the tune could lead me anywhere; I would not necessarily bind myself to what that the tune's title may suggest. However, I did research some of the older tunes and their origin stories and some intrigued me so much I used those.

For the original tunes I agreed that if the writer was happy to give me their inspiration for the tune I would stick reasonably close to that story. In short order I had my volunteers both old and new.

What follows is the culmination of a lifetime in Irish Traditional Music and several months wondering why I ever started this madness in the first place! The poems come in various shapes and sizes and hopefully a wide range of emotions are to be found within. I strongly encourage you to read them aloud in a crowded room with a glass of something to keep you warm.

I dedicate this work to my wife, Catherine and our children, Katie and Tóla. Tá grá agam daoibh go deo.

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