Music Monday: Wild Mountain Thyme

family, music, travel 4 Minutes

It all started two years ago at P.J. O’Brien’s, a classic Irish pub in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Every Sunday they have live Irish music, usually featuring Steve’s Duo, a talented pair of musicians offering up some classic and traditional Irish songs.

I have to admit that at first I did not know many of the songs, but I would furiously look up the songs on my phone as they were playing based on what I thought the lyrics were that I was hearing. They played music from The Irish Rovers, the Pogues, the Cranberries, the Dubliners, the High Kings, the Saw Doctors, and of course, Bing Crosby. (If you don’t recognize any of those names, then you shouldn’t get to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year.)

After several Sunday visits (and a pint of Kilkenny or two), I got familiar with many of the songs, and I even ended up creating a Spotify playlist based on the songs from Steve’s Duo’s set list.

One song in particular that grabbed my attention was Wild Mountain Thyme. This was one of the songs that I had not been familiar with, but I grew to enjoy hearing. When I returned to the U.S., I decided to learn more about the song, and the first fact I discovered was that there is a movie titled Wild Mountain Thyme, starring Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Jon Hamm, Dearbhla Molloy, and Christopher Walken. The song features prominently in the movie, so here is the first version of the song I will share:

To me, it is a beautiful song, and my wife and I also enjoyed watching the movie. However, as far as the movie was concerned, the critics did not seem to agree with me.

From Wikipedia: On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 25% of 130 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 4.6/10. The website’s critics consensus reads: “Fatally undermined by dodgy accents and a questionable story, Wild Mountain Thyme is a baffling misfire for a talented filmmaker and impressive cast. Kevin Maher, chief film critic of The Times, was even more critical, describing the film’s representation of Ireland as anti-Irish, calling it “representational fascism”

Oh well, I guess you can’t please everyone. But like I said, my wife and I enjoyed it; the scenery is beautiful (filmed mainly in County Mayo, Ireland, where my dad’s family was from), and it has this amazing song.

This was one of the songs I added to my “Irish songs” Spotify playlist, and as I was doing so, it was then that I discovered the rich history of the song and the many (and I mean many) covers of the song.

From Wikipedia, once again: “Wild Mountain Thyme” (also known as “Purple Heather” and “Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?”) is a Scottish/Irish folk song. The lyrics and melody are a variant of the song “The Braes of Balquhither” by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (1774–1810) and Scottish composer Robert Archibald Smith (1780–1829), but were adapted by Belfast musician Francis McPeake (1885–1971) into “Wild Mountain Thyme” and first recorded by his family in the 1950s.

As to the many covers of the song, how’s this for a list. If my counting is correct, that’s over 100 covers of the song. The list is in chronological order, based on when the artist recorded the song, starting with Alma in 1914. Since I know no one is going to go through the whole list, I’ve bolded some of the names that were at least recognizable to me.

Alma Gluck, Francis McPeake, David Hammond, Sandy Paton, The McPeake Family, Bonnie Dobson, Judy Collins, Robin Hall and Jimmie MacGregor, The Clancy Brothers, The Couriers, Paul Clayton, Joan Baez, The New Christy Minstrels, Lee Mallory, The Byrds, Marianne Faithfull, The Corries, Bob Dylan, Nana Mouskouri, Long John Baldry, The Alexander Brothers, Van Morrison, Strawbs, Brenda Wootton, Buddy Emmons, Thin Lizzy, George Hamilton IV, Bert Jansch, Rick Stanley, Bernadette, Penelope Houston, The Tannahill Weavers, Nigel and the Crosses, Nancy Cassidy, Michal Hromek, Denis Ryan, Meg Davis, Tommy Makem, Barley Bree, and Cherish the Ladies, Glenn Frey, The Silencers, Jim Diamond, Viva Brother, Dick Gaughan, Emmylou Harris, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and Rufus Wainwright, Rod Stewart, The Irish Rovers, John McDermott, Lisa Lynne, Real McKenzies, The Masterless Men, Mark Knopfler, Enter the Haggis, Dan Zanes, Friends, and Dar Williams, Papa M, The Chieftains with Don Williams, Emerald Rose, Jim McCann, James Taylor, Brian Kennedy, Albert Kuvezin and Yat-Kha, Amanda, Keltik Elektrik with Jim Malcolm, Devin Townsend, Kate Rusby, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Moira Nelson, Maggie Reilly, The High Kings, Lauren Yason, Richard Fox, and Caroline Dale, Blake, Fotheringay, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, Lark & Spur, Ronan Keating,  Robin Pecknold, Stuart Murdoch, The Real McKenzies, Marc Gunn, Ben Folds, Mudmen, The Rumjacks, The Dolmen, Marti Pellow, Ed Sheeran, Derek Ryan, 10,000 Maniacs, The Bombadils, Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band, The Longest Johns, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan, Gerry Rafferty, Peter Bruntnell, Celtic Woman, The Petersens, Rufus Wainwright, Ella Roberts, Faoilean, Grahame Skinner and Bobby from The Bluebells, Mànran, Laufey, dodie, and Jacob Collier, Raffi, Loreena McKennitt, Lola Kirke, Peter Dreimanis, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Jack O’Connell, Goose.

And I found a version not listed above while scrolling through Spotify that I think will make Clive happy: The Hound + The Fox:

I’ll include one more version, perhaps one of the more unique takes on the song, but still beautiful. This was performed at the Kennedy Center with backing from the National Symphony Orchestra, and includes some wonderful crowd work and a standing ovation at the end. Warning: this is a 10-minute video…

So consider this my love letter to this beautiful song. Hopefully, I’ll get to hear it at least one more time, back where it all started, at P.J. O’Brien’s in Sydney.

*image from the Sublime

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Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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92 thoughts on “Music Monday: Wild Mountain Thyme”

  3. Welcome back to Blogland – great to see you here again! You beat me to that – while I was perusing the list of cover versions I was thinking of making a comment to share The Hound + The Fox!

    That last version is spectacular and fully deserved the ovation. I hadn’t come across that trio before but will look out for them now. And thank you for the link 👍

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. thanks for the welcome back! I thought you would appreciate the The Hound + The Fox inclusion 🙂 It is really a beautiful version of the song.

      I’m glad you liked the last one as well – I’m not sure if the three of them are really a trio, or if they just got together for that performance…

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. You’re welcome, it’s good to see you back.

        I’ve yet to find a Hound + Fox song that I didn’t like. They make beautiful music – both covers and their own tunes – and their harmonies are to die for.

        I can update you on that last one. All three have multi-million YouTube followings. Collier is an incredibly talented musician, and there is another video from the same show – 18 minutes of musical joy – in which he works with the orchestra to create a piece of music. Laufey – the one on the left – is a jazz musician and singer, and dodie is a British folk musician. They all have their own videos with huge viewing figures – a good find by you!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Do try the 18 minute Jacob Collier one. It’s long but so well worth it – he is amazing.

        The other two both have nice voices and make good music too. Have fun!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. I listened to the clip and was looking up the movie before I read your review synopsis (which kind of makes me want to watch it all the more). Seems like a good cast. So good to find your post. I can see what you do with your time when the Eagles aren’t in the SuperBowl!

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    1. If you watch it, I hope you enjoy the film. I’m a fan of Jon Hamm; I often get the sense that he is making fun of himself in many of his roles.

      And congrats to Seattle – what a dominating performance!

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  5. Wow you’re back! 🙂 I was wondering where you had vanished to! I love that song too. 💚 I can’t even remember which version is my favourite. I liked playing it on the piano too. Had no idea there was a movie. Welcome back. 😄

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  6. I’ll be watching the movie and love the song, anything that has been sung by Enter the Haggis, The New Christy Minstrels, and Dylan is a natural hit in my book. good to see you back on the keyboard.

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  7. JIm – I will check for Wild Mountain Thyme to try and watch later this year
    also, that is a lot of covers for the song and I wonder if they have more than cover versions of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”?

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      7. I looked it up. Yesterday is regarded as the most widely covered pop song, with more than 2,200, but the most covered of all genres is Summertime by Gershwin, at more than 67,000!

        Liked by 1 person

      8. I would have never guessed. I like the song Yesterday, but there are Beatles songs I like a lot better. I guess something about Yesterday made other artists want to give it a shot.

        and 67,000 covers!

        Liked by 1 person

      11. you are so right – and sorry if I said most covered son – I mean “frequently covered” and it was just the first one that came to mind – but those other two – oh yeah – way more 0 and by the way – if you have not seen it – there is a GREAT movie called Yesterday (2019) that has humor and features a soundtrack of Beatles covers performed by Patel and Lily James, including “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Something.”

        Liked by 2 people

      12. I’ve updated my answer on this. The winner was a surprise!

        I know that movie well. I’ve watched it several times, have it in my iTunes collection, and love it!

        Liked by 2 people

      19. it’s always fun exchanging music comments with Clive – I learn quite a bit.

        thanks for the link, I was not familiar with the song and had plans to check it out, but you saved me the time!

        Liked by 1 person

      20. I have had a couple Gershwin CD’s back in the day and that song was new to me too – and I might be guilty of overplaying Crazy for You back in the 1990s! These songs played a lot in my house: I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “But Not for Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I just listened to Rod’s version yesterday for the first time, and it was beautiful. He is a perfect choice to sing such a song, given his Scottish roots. And it’s nice to be back; and looking forward to catching up with my fellow bloggers!

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  10. Nice to see you back on WordPress. That’s a lovely song, never heard it before and didn’t know about the movie either. I rarely take reviews seriously because I’ve loved some movies that everyone else seems to dislike and vice versa.

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  11. What a beautiful song!! Love this type of music. Thanks for sharing it, and I plan on watching the movie. I don’t put much stock in reviews and like you said, one gets to see the beautiful land of Ireland! Have plans to go to Ireland 🇮🇪 in the next year or so, hopefully! Can’t wait!

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    1. I hope you get to Ireland, it is a beautiful place to visit (and I’m sure a great place to live as well). I hope you like the movie!

      And thanks for reading two of my blog posts in one day – I do feel special! 🤓

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      1. Thanks! I am eager! To walk the Cliffs of Mahr, see the lambs in the green fields and explore castles, etc. Will let you know about the movie. 🙂

        Here is a gold star ⭐️for making it back to blogging. Now you should feel even more special. 😊

        Like

  12. Reminds me of an Irish joint in Seattle back in the ancient times called Owl & Thistle. Loved the genuine Irish music they featured there from time to time. Though not Irish myself I couldn’t vouch for the authenticity of the venue. But everyone seemed to love i so I guess that’s what counts!

    Anyway, thanks for the nice post.

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    1. So you were quite immersed in Irish culture, as was I, since my mom was also born in Ireland.

      Glad you enjoyed the song, it is beautiful.

      Thanks for the link to your blog; sounds like it’s as much fun to work in an Irish pub as it is to visit one!

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      1. Jim it was great fun! I just recently read the Rosie’s essay at a storytelling in NYC. Ernie O’Malleys pub. I was fortunate enough to have many of the old crew in attendance along with Kerry Carroll the daughter of the bartender in my story who was killed in auto crash. Her mom was pregnant with her when he died so she never met him. So poignant to introduce her at end of story☘️ Her dad was with us that night in spirit. Thanks for reading. Hope you have visited Ireland.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I just left a comment on your beautiful post.

        How cool that you read this at a storytelling event, and how nice that Kerry was able to be there, along with many of the old crew.

        Have you been to Ireland? Feel free to keep this conversation going on your post 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Wow! We may be cousins Jim lol. When I was in high school, a girl and I were looking at a map of Ireland on wall. I pointed to Leitrim and said “this is where my mother is from.” She replied “mine too!” We exchanged numbers and vowed to talk to our parents. That evening a phone call, from her father. “Kathy, this is uncle Tommy!” They were indeed a relation. Last story I am sharing (I promise) because it involves Leitrim. I shared on Irish site and it got thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Hope you enjoy.

        Love Letter to Ireland – the Gift of My Mother

        Liked by 1 person

      4. What a great story about finding your Uncle Tommy!

        My mother’s maiden name was McGovern, and she grew up in the Newtown Gore and Ballinamore area. The family farm backed up to Garadice Lake. It was beautiful.

        Keep sending me links to read – I am sure I will enjoy all of them!

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