The Irish rover

Question 1

What type of song is this

Answer 1

Humorous Song

Question 2

Name the performers of this song

Answer 2

The Dubliners featuring The Pogues

Question 3

What is the instrumentation of the Irish Rover?

Answer 3

The song features two singers, fiddle, banjo, guitar, accordion, bouzouki, tin whistle, electric bass and drum kit.

Question 4

Who sings the song Irish Rover for each verse

Answer 4

Sung as a duet by Ronnie Drew and Shane McGowan.
Verse1+3- Ronnie Drew
Verse2+4- Shane McGowan
Verse 5- Ronnie and Shane

Question 5

What is the form of the piece the Irish Rover

Answer 5

AABA

Question 6

Describe the style or genre of the song

Answer 6

This performance is a fusion of Irish traditional music with elements of punk rock music. The song and most of the instruments are from the Irish tradition but the musicians play loudly, quickly and aggressively with a lot of energy in a punk style. Features a drum kit and electric bass guitar

Question 7

Name and explain one musical feature of the song Irish rover with reference to the piece

Answer 7

Word Painting- the music is inspired by the meaning of the lyrics.
Final verse music stops suddenly after the word “shock!” with a loud snare hit. The tempo suddenly slows down and the singers sing the line “..and the poor old dog was drowned” with almost no accompaniment creating a sad mood. The band starts again

Question 8

What is the song about

Answer 8

A comical tale of a huge ship travelling from Cork to New York