Hubby and I have just returned from the city where we were lucky enough to come upon a ceilidh band. The venue was a very large church hall and there were about 70 adults and 20 children. The band, two violins (or fiddlers), two guitarists and one banjo player were up on stage. The leader of the band is also the caller, encouraging 'newbies' to master the steps of the traditional dances. It's great fun and the children particularly seem to love weaving in and out between each other.
It's not all dancing of course. Too exhausting I should think! So the band members vary the routine and pace with various songs. These range from traditional English, American, Scottish or Irish, to this polka, their latest offering.
One member of the band is something of a linguist and finds learning languages relatively easy, so this Finnish folk-song presented no great problems to memorise. It is literally a tongue-twister, done at high speed. This is just one of several verses. Fancy giving it a go? All together now!
Nuapurista kuulu se polokan tahti jalakani pohjii kutkutti Ievan äiti se tyttöösä vahti vaan kyllähän Ieva sen jutkutti Sillä ei meitä silloin kiellot haittaa Kun myö tanssimme laiasta laitaan Salivili hipput tupput täppyt äppyt tipput hilijalleen...
Easy peasy eh?
When I was in junior school we enjoyed occasional country dancing and when our children were at infant school, they danced round the Maypole for their school fete but, I ask myself, do today's children still have time for such carefree music and movement or is it more about cramming for OFSTED visits?
This afternoon we witnessed the joy of children happily spinning around the floor or galloping alongside their mums and dads. Such fun. Such lovely musical memories created.
Long may ceilidhs continue!
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