Episodios

  • Firefly Drinking Songs #314

    Firefly Drinking Songs #314
    Apr 2 2026
    A month without a voice. A question about Firefly Drinking Songs. And a highwayman riding the moor. Pub Songs & Stories returns with stories to tell, from the Celtic folk tradition to the far reaches of the 'verse. Music from Marc Gunn, Faoileán, CaliCeltic, Whiskey Bay Rovers, May Will Bloom. This is Pub Songs & Stories #314 0:20 - Faoileán "Brennan on the Moor" from Why Should I Not 3:52 - WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. I am your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather. NEWS What's the Secret Word? Unlock your secret reward now.May Will Bloom new single availableA month with no voiceHow Irish & Celtic Music PodFest went UPCOMING SHOWS Apr 4-5: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TXApr 8: Bards Internet Concert @ 6:30 PM or 7:00 PMApr 10-11: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TXApr 17-19: JordanCon, Atlanta, GaApr 24-26: StellarFest, Duluth, GaApr 25: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GaWeekends May 9-31: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Fairburn, GaJul 30-Aug 2: Gen Con, Indianapolis, IN 11:16 - CaliCeltic "A Pub With No Tunes" from West of Shannon 15:38 - FIREFLY ANIMATED SERIES? WHAT'S UP WITH SONGWRITING? What direction shall I go with writing songs?Firefly animated series or Doctor Who Drinking Songs 24:36 - Marc Gunn "Run Away With Me" from Patreon 27:17 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. Come hike with me on the Isle of Skye in 2027. The ads on this podcast pay for some of the hosting and podcast editing. My time producing the show is paid for by my… THANK YOU GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON Thank you. Truly. Your support is the reason I'm still making music, telling stories, and showing up month after month. Patreon is how modern, independent musicians survive and thrive. Album Pins and CDs help get me on the road and in front of live audiences, but my day-to-day livelihood—the time it takes to write, record, podcast, film, and share—comes directly from Patrons of the Arts. As we continue into a new year, Patreon is where everything comes together. Patrons receive a brand-new song download every month. These are exclusive tracks you won't find anywhere else—works in progress, experiments, and finished songs that come straight from my creative desk to you. You'll also get regular updates when there's news to share, behind-the-scenes blogs, short and long-form videos, and access to a growing archive of bootleg concert recordings and special performances. You can join for as little as $5 a month. That small commitment adds up to real stability. It buys time to write songs. It funds recording and production. It keeps the creative engine running without chasing algorithms or trends. And if supporting financially isn't possible right now, that's okay. You can still join Patreon for free and receive regular updates, thoughts, and stories as they happen. Being part of the community matters, whether you're pledging or simply listening along. Patreon isn't just support—it's collaboration. It's how these songs, podcasts, and ideas exist at all. If you'd like more details, just email follow@celtfather. I'd love to have you along for the journey this year. 30:33 - Whiskey Bay Rovers "Away Rio" from Taverns and Tides 33:47 - STORY OF "REAVERS MALCOLM REAVERS 38:56 - Marc Gunn "Reavers Malcolm Reavers" from Sci Fi Drinking Songs 42:25 - CLOSING Complete the Quest to Unlock your secret reward now. 46:59 - May Will Bloom "I'll Tell My Ma" from Single 49:17 - CREDITS Thanks for listening to Pub Songs & Stories. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen. You can follow and listen to the show on my Patreon or wherever you find podcasts. Sign up to my mailing list to learn more about songs featured in this podcast and discover where I'm performing. Before we go, a quick reminder: caring about Celtic culture also means caring about the land that shaped it. The songs we love were born from fields, coasts, forests, and villages that depend on a healthy planet. Climate action doesn't have to be loud or perfect. It starts small. Walk when you can. Choose renewable energy if it's available to you. Support artists, farmers, and local businesses who care about the earth. Reduce waste. Reuse what you can. Leave a place better than you found it. When we protect the land, we protect the music, the stories, and the ...
    Más Menos
    51 m
  • St. Patrick's Day in the Pub #313

    St. Patrick's Day in the Pub #313
    Mar 10 2026
    Irish Millie is wasted. The Brobdingnagian Bards are in love… with alcohol. And the Gothard Sisters will send you down the road with a smile. Every song has a story worth telling. We've got the full spectrum from rowdy to reverent. Pull up a stool. Music from May Will Bloom, Brobdingnagian Bards, Rogue Diplomats, Irish Millie, The Gothard Sisters This is Pub Songs & Stories #313 0:21 - May Will Bloom "I'll Tell My Ma" from Single 2:40 - WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. I am your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather. 5:32 - NEWS What's the Secret Word? Unlock your secret reward now. Celtic Protest Songs on Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.Maggie McGuinness showFebruary album writing monthStill making videos + Taking a step back from social mediaBooking gigs for St. Patrick's DayPreparing for Irish & Celtic Music PodFest 13:20 - Rogue Diplomats "Come Out Ye Black And Tans" from Whiskey Picnic 16:41 - UPCOMING SHOWS Mar 12: St Patrick's Day Music Party on BandcampApr 4-11: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX with May Will Bloom and Brobdingnagian BardsApr 17-19: JordanCon, Atlanta, GaApr 24-26: StellarFest, Duluth, GaApr 25: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GaMay 30: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GA 19:25 - STORY OF LOVE SONG TO ALCOHOL 24:10 - Brobdingnagian Bards "Love Song to Alcohol' from Another Faire to Remember 28:33 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. Come hike with me on the Isle of Skye in 2027. The ads on this podcast pay for some of the hosting and podcast editing. My time producing the show is paid for by my… 29:49 - THANK YOU GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON Thank you. Truly. Your support is the reason I'm still making music, telling stories, and showing up month after month. Patreon is how modern, independent musicians survive and thrive. Album Pins and CDs help get me on the road and in front of live audiences, but my day-to-day livelihood—the time it takes to write, record, podcast, film, and share—comes directly from Patrons of the Arts. As we continue into a new year, Patreon is where everything comes together. Patrons receive a brand-new song download every month. These are exclusive tracks you won't find anywhere else—works in progress, experiments, and finished songs that come straight from my creative desk to you. You'll also get regular updates when there's news to share, behind-the-scenes blogs, short and long-form videos, and access to a growing archive of bootleg concert recordings and special performances. You can join for as little as $5 a month. That small commitment adds up to real stability. It buys time to write songs. It funds recording and production. It keeps the creative engine running without chasing algorithms or trends. And if supporting financially isn't possible right now, that's okay. You can still join Patreon for free and receive regular updates, thoughts, and stories as they happen. Being part of the community matters, whether you're pledging or simply listening along. Patreon isn't just support—it's collaboration. It's how these songs, podcasts, and ideas exist at all. If you'd like more details, just email follow@celtfather. I'd love to have you along for the journey this year. 31:37 - COMMENTARY - THANK YOU WHAT YOU DID FOR US 34:55 - Irish Millie "WASTED" from Between Then And Now 42:38 - QUEST & CHORUS of THE GOTHARD SISTERS The Gothard Sisters are three sisters Greta, Willow and Solana. They are contemporary Celtic folk multi-instrumentalists, composers, performers and songwriters. Blending Celtic, folk, world, classical and new age musical influences, the Gothard Sisters bring songs to life with violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, whistle and vocal harmonies, creating music that is "vivid, inspirational and captivating." (Tim Carroll, Folk Words Review 2018) Raised and homeschooled by artists in the Pacific Northwest, USA, the Gothard Sisters grew up immersed in nature, imaginative play and traditional folk and classical music. Their music takes inspiration from folk music traditions around the world, timeless stories, new age and classical records, and nature itself. Writing and recording near their home in the Pacific Northwest, USA, the band has released 11 albums and performed over 2,000 live shows over the ...
    Más Menos
    55 m
  • Four Lights and Rebel Songs #312

    Four Lights and Rebel Songs #312
    Feb 3 2026
    What do Irish rebel songs and Star Trek have in common? This week on Pub Songs & Stories, we raise a glass to courage, truth, and the songs that refuse to obey. From the Easter Rising of 1916 to a Cardassian interrogation chamber, today's songs ask one dangerous question: Do you trust your own eyes? Music from Kinnfolk, Erin Ruth, Marc Gunn, The Irish Lassies This is Pub Songs & Stories #312 0:29 - Kinnfolk "A Wintertime Feast" from A Wintertime Feast 5:15 - WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. I am your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather. NEWS Check out "Minnesota USA" by Mikey MasonShort Video Revolution on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube ShortsGet your copy of Another Faire to Remember by Brobdingnagian BardsFinished a Kickstarter.Poll: What are your favorite songs on Come Adventure With Me?Merch: Buy Come Adventure With MeWhat's the Secret Word? Unlock your secret reward now. 12:39 - UPCOMING SHOWS Feb 19: Bandcamp ConcertFeb 28: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, ALMar 8: Irish & Celtic Music PodFest @ The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GAApr 4-11: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TXApr 17-19: JordanCon, Atlanta, Ga The Foggy Dew is an Irish rebel song written to honor people who fought for Ireland's freedom during the Easter Rising of 1916. Instead of praising Irish soldiers who died fighting for England in World War I, the song asks why they were not fighting for their own land instead. It tells of ordinary men and women who stood up against a powerful empire, even when the odds were stacked against them. That's why it's a rebel song—it's about choosing freedom, courage, and self-respect over obedience. Versions like the one by Erin Ruth keep that spirit alive, reminding us that quiet voices can still challenge injustice and inspire change. 15:09 - Erin Ruth "The Foggy Dew" from Erin Ruth 18:25 - NEW PROTEST SONG INSPIRED BY STAR TREK: NEXT GENERATION "Chain of Command, Part II" from Star Trek: The Next Generation centers on Captain Picard as a prisoner of the Cardassians. His captor, Gul Madred, uses pain and fear to try to control him. But the real goal is not information. It is obedience. Madred wants Picard to stop trusting his own eyes and accept what the government tells him is true. Again and again, Picard is pushed to say something he knows is false. The episode shows how power can try to rewrite reality—and how courage can be as simple, and as hard, as holding on to the truth. It echoes George Orwell's 1984, reminding us that the final test of freedom is whether we trust our own eyes—or believe the government when it tells us we are wrong. 21:34 - Marc Gunn "Four Lights" from Four Lights single 23:56 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. The ads on this podcast pay for some of the hosting and podcast editing. My time producing the show is paid for by my… 24:30 - THANK YOU GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON Thank you. Truly. Your support is the reason I'm still making music, telling stories, and showing up month after month. Patreon is how modern, independent musicians survive and thrive. Album Pins and CDs help get me on the road and in front of live audiences, but my day-to-day livelihood—the time it takes to write, record, podcast, film, and share—comes directly from Patrons of the Arts. As we continue into a new year, Patreon is where everything comes together. Patrons receive a brand-new song download every month. These are exclusive tracks you won't find anywhere else—works in progress, experiments, and finished songs that come straight from my creative desk to you. You'll also get regular updates when there's news to share, behind-the-scenes blogs, short and long-form videos, and access to a growing archive of bootleg concert recordings and special performances. You can join for as little as $5 a month. That small commitment adds up to real stability. It buys time to write songs. It funds recording and production. It keeps the creative engine running without chasing algorithms or trends. And if supporting financially isn't possible right now, that's okay. You can still join Patreon for free and receive regular updates, thoughts, and stories as they happen. Being part of the community matters, whether you're pledging or simply listening along. Patreon isn't just ...
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Manufacturing Inspiration: Songwriting Habits of Mikey Mason

    Manufacturing Inspiration: Songwriting Habits of Mikey Mason
    Nov 18 2025
    Geek-rock musician Mikey Mason joins me to talk about writing songs on schedule, his New Music Monday ritual, and how to stay creative every single week. Music by Caliceltic, May Will Bloom, The Gothard Sisters, and Mikey Mason. This is Pub Songs & Stories #311 0:18 - Caliceltic "The Beer from St James Gate" from 2023 and Me 5:25 - WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. I am your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Today's episode dives into the creative mind of comedy-rock songwriter Mikey Mason. If you've ever struggled to finish a song or waited for inspiration to strike, this conversation will change how you think about writing. Mikey writes and releases a brand-new song every Monday. And he does it without relying on his muse. We'll talk about manufacturing inspiration, using unusual prompts, and turning routine into creative freedom. 6:59 - UPCOMING SHOWS NOV 22: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling, Fairburn, GADEC 6: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling, Fairburn, GADEC 7: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates, GA @ 12 - 5 PM. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that at PubSong.com. I have a new band with my daughter Inara. We are called May Will Bloom and at IrishFest Atlanta, we released a brand new single. 9:40 - May Will Bloom "Star of the County Down" from Single A big thanks to my… GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON If you're enjoying Pub Songs & Stories or you've been spinning my music for years, follow me on Patreon. It's free to join, and you'll get early, ad-free episodes along with updates on what I'm creating next. But the real magic kicks in when you become a Patron of the Arts. Patreon is how independent musicians like me keep making music, telling stories, and sharing these pub-song adventures with you. For just $5 a month, you unlock a treasure trove of exclusives—unreleased songs, behind-the-scenes podcasts, video concerts, rare bootlegs, and surprises you won't hear anywhere else. Want the full rundown? Email follow@celtfather and I'll send you all the details. 13:35 - NEWS Mark your calendar for December 5. That's the next Bandcamp Friday. It's also the official release of Another Faire to Remember by Brobdingnagian Bards. If you loved our Renaissance festival classic, A Faire to Remember, you will love this one as well because it was made for you in mind. Follow our mailing list on Patreon to be the first to hear of the release to read some stories from our Renaissance festival past. It's http://patreon.com/thebardsChristmas music is in the air. In fact, Celtic Christmas Music is a podcast where you can enjoy Christmas music by Celtic musicians. There are over 80 episodes including some of my music.Are you looking for the perfect Celtic stocking stuffer? Give a gift that's green… and a little bit magical. At MageRecords.com, you'll find eco-friendly Irish and Celtic treasures made to delight the music lovers, the festival wanderers, and the folklore fans in your life.Wood-burned album pins and for a limited time, Celtic Christmas ornaments. Small enough to slip into a stocking… and meaningful enough to make someone smile long after the holidays. So this year, skip the plastic. Go Celtic. Go sustainable. Visit com and fill those stockings with something worth keeping. Check out my new Kickstarter, Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you listen. Email pictures of where you're listening to follow@celtfather . I'll send you a free gift and you can learn more about how to follow this podcast. 16:33 - The Gothard Sisters "Moment in Time" from Moment in Time 19:55 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. 20:23 - QUEST & CHORUS of How to Write Songs on Schedule (and Still Stay Inspired) Where every place has a story, every story has a song, and every song is a step in the quest. Mikey Mason is a U.S.-based "geek-rock" musician. He blends his stand-up comedy background with music rooted in sci-fi, fantasy, board games, cats and role-playing. He spent more than a decade as a full-time stand-up comedian performing across the U.S. In 2011 his song "She Don't Like Firefly" went viral on YouTube and earned attention from outlets including Nerdist, SyFy, MTV Geek News, Dr. Demento and Time magazine. Since then, Mikey has released numerous albums and EPs and now primarily works as a musician and artist whose work draws heavily on his ...
    Más Menos
    1 h y 9 m
  • Quest & Chorus #6: From Carnac to Fangorn | The End of the Quest (special feat: Pub Songs and Stories #310)

    Quest & Chorus #6: From Carnac to Fangorn | The End of the Quest (special feat: Pub Songs and Stories #310)
    Nov 4 2025
    Over 3,000 stones rise from the fields of Carnac. They stand silent, waiting, like the trees of Fangorn Forest, patient and alive beneath their stillness. In this episode of Quest & Chorus, we walk among ancient alignments, uncover old legends, and listen to what endures. Featuring music from The Irish Lassies, Dublin Gulch, and Brobdingnagian Bards. This is Quest & Chorus #310 0:27 - The Irish Lassies "Hammer Up Whisky Down" from Immigration Stories 5:20 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where ancient stones still speak and songs remember what trees never forget. I'm your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as Folk Songs & Stories, but today, we call it Quest & Chorus. Quest & Chorus is a 6-part podcast series. I fuse Celtic and folk music, science fiction and fantasy, and travel into a podcast with a quest. In each episode, you will get a clue to unlock a secret reward. And at the end of the season, you will combine all of those clues to unlock an even bigger amazing reward. And today we walk not into a forest—but into a field that feels like one. The Alignments of Carnac stretch across the land like rows of rooted giants. They are silent. But not still. And if you listen… they speak in echoes. Today we talk of nature, of memory, and also of what I learned about food waste. WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FOOD Freezing fruitCompostingPlantingPickling vs fermentingSoupsGranola You don't have to do it in one day. It's taking me several years. And it doesn't have to be perfect. You just have to be open to learning. Check out Sustainable Jungle and One5C. They have a lot of real, practical and non-judgemental tips on how to be more eco-friendly with your food and your life. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that at PubSong.com. UPCOMING SHOWS NOV 8: IrishFest Atlanta, Roswell, GA with InaraNOV 14-16: CONjuration, Duluth, GANOV 22: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling, Fairburn, GADEC 6: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling, Fairburn, GADEC 7: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates, GA @ 12 - 5 PM. 15:37 - Dublin Gulch "Sarah Daly/The Copper King's Daughter" from Tap 'Er Light Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you listen. Email pictures of where you're listening to follow@celtfather . I'll send you a free gift and you can learn more about how to follow this podcast. 19:59 - NEWS Celtic Christmas Music releases the first official episode of the season.Looking for volunteers to work the Nerdy Wonderland table and promote the event. It takes place Dec 7.New Band with Inara–May Bloom. Planning to release an Album Pin and Single A big thanks to my… GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON If you enjoy this podcast or you love listening to my music, please follow my Celtfather Patreon page. You can sign up for free and get updates on what's new and you can get an ad-free edition of this podcast before public listeners. But you get so much more when you become a Patron of the Arts. Patreon is one of the ways modern musicians and podcasters make a living. For just $5 per month, you'll get exclusive, unreleased songs, podcasts, video concerts, bootleg concerts, and so much more. Email follow@celtfather to get more details! Pull Up a Stool and Join the Band! Follow me on Patreon for behind-the-scenes stories, ad-free episodes of Pub Songs & Stories, and a few free MP3s to take home. It's free to follow — but if you toss a coin in the bard's hat, you'll help keep the music playing every week. TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. In 2017, I led a Celtic Invasion of Brittany. You can read about our search for the Holy Grail in France. In the meantime, it's time for the… QUEST & CHORUS of ALIGNMENTS OF CARNAC Over 3,000 standing stones stretch in careful lines through the fields of Carnac. No one knows exactly why they're here. Were they a celestial map? Some say they mark burial grounds. But walking by them, I didn't feel like I was in a graveyard. I felt like I was among the elders. It reminded me of Fangorn Forest, home of the Ents. In The Lord of the Rings, Fangorn is a place where time moves slowly. Trees remember battles that men have forgotten. Carnac is a lot like that. The stones are not dead. They're just waiting. I can't help but wonder who placed them here, so careful and deliberate. The stones of Carnac weren't raised by elves or Ents, but by real people. Neolithic builders, thousands of years before written history. ...
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Quest & Chorus #5: Crossing the Waves to Skellig Michael (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #309)

    Quest & Chorus #5: Crossing the Waves to Skellig Michael (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #309)
    Oct 21 2025
    The sea around Skellig Michael never rests. Waves slam the cliffs like a heartbeat, and mist rises from the rocks like breath from some sleeping giant. Eight miles off the Kerry coast, this jagged island looks less like a piece of earth and more like a fragment of another world. More than a thousand years ago, monks climbed 600 stone steps to live here, chasing silence, prayer, and the edge of heaven. Today, visitors come for the same reason, though they may not know it. Whether you're drawn by faith, history, or a galaxy far, far away, Skellig has a way of making you listen to what the sea remembers. And that's where today's story begins — between exile and return, faith and freedom, stone and surf. Because sometimes, we're all just trying to find our way back to the ocean. With Music from Niamh Dunne, Wolf Loescher, and Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira. This is Quest & Chorus #309 0:58 - Niamh Dunne "Ballyneety's Walls" from Portraits 4:17 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where every wave might carry a myth, and every exile still dreams of home. I'm your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as Folk Songs & Stories, but today, we call it Quest & Chorus. And today, we drift to the edge of the world, To Skellig Michael, where the sea swallows history and monks once whispered their prayers to gulls. It's also where a Jedi gave up the fight. And where a selkie sings himself back into the sea. Today's theme may seem like exile or perhaps it's where you truly belong. Quest & Chorus is a 6-part podcast series. I fuse my love of Celtic and folk music, science fiction and fantasy, and travel into a podcast with a quest. In each episode, you will get a clue to unlock a secret reward. And at the end of the season, you will combine all of those clues to unlock an even bigger amazing reward. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that at PubSong.com. UPCOMING SHOWS NOV 1: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GANOV 8: IrishFest Atlanta, Roswell, GA with InaraNOV 14-16: CONjuration, Duluth, GANOV 22: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GADEC 6: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GADEC 7: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates, GA @ 12 - 5 PM. 6:24 - Wolf Loescher "Rovin' Journeyman" from Child of Alba Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you listen. Email pictures of where you're listening to follow@celtfather . I'll send you a free gift and you can learn more about how to follow this podcast. News If you're looking for Celtic Halloween music, I have a large selection of such music. While my Happy Songs of Death album fits the bill, I also did a series of concerts inspired by that theme for several years. Follow the link in the shownotes for details. A big thanks to my… 7:45 - GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON If you enjoy this podcast or you love listening to my music, please follow my Celtfather Patreon page. You can sign up for free and get updates on what's new and you can get an ad-free edition of this podcast before public listeners. But you get so much more when you become a Patron of the Arts. Patreon is one of the ways modern musicians and podcasters make a living. For just $5 per month, you'll get exclusive, unreleased songs, podcasts, video concerts, bootleg concerts, and so much more. Email follow@celtfather to get more details! 9:47 - Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira "Going Home" from Here To Stay 13:15 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. In 2026, you can join me for a Celtic Invasion of Galicia in Spain. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. Let's begin the… 13:47 - QUEST & CHORUS of SKELLIG MICHAEL Eight miles off the coast of County Kerry is the island of Skellig Michael. It is a jagged twin-peaked island. Its name comes from the Irish Sceilg Mhichíl which means Michael's Rock. It was dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The island's history began in the sixth century. Monks sought isolation and closeness to God. So they settled there because the early Irish monastic tradition valued hardship, solitude, and spiritual testing. The monks carved out a small community on narrow terraces more than 600 steps above sea level. The monastic settlement they built still survives. They built a cluster of beehive stone huts, stone crosses and terraces connected by narrow paths. Everything was dry-stone construction. That means they were fitted together without mortar. They were built so well that they have lasted over a millennium. The monks grew small ...
    Más Menos
    25 m
  • Quest & Chorus Ep. 4: Come Adventure to The Quiraing on Skye (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #308)

    Quest & Chorus Ep. 4: Come Adventure to The Quiraing on Skye (special feat: Folk Songs & Stories #308)
    Oct 7 2025
    The Quiraing is not a gentle place. Stone spires jut skyward, cliffs crumble toward the sea, and paths twist like they're still being carved by giants. It's a landscape that doesn't promise safety—it dares you to take another step. On Skye, they say even dragons once hid in these folds, rising to defend the island from invaders. And standing here, staring into that mist and stone, you can feel it: adventure isn't slaying dragons. It's choosing to face the one within. Music from Kinnfolk, Ed Miller, and Marc Gunn. This is Quest & Chorus #308 0:39 - - Kinnfolk "Highland Laddie" from Star Above The Mountain 4:21 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where every hill might hide a dragon, and every fear might be your map. We stand on the edge… of a cliff, of a journey, of ourselves. The Quiraing, on the Isle of Skye, is a land caught between movement and stillness… earth sliding slowly toward the sea. And standing here, staring out over stone teeth and mist-choked valleys, you might ask: Should I go forward? Or turn back? I'm your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as Folk Songs & Stories, but today, we call it Quest & Chorus. Quest & Chorus is a 6-part podcast series. I fuse my love of Celtic and folk music, science fiction and fantasy, and travel into a podcast with a quest. In each episode, you will get a clue to unlock a secret reward. And at the end of the season, you will combine all of those clues to unlock an even bigger amazing reward. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather. Review of ALEP 6: A Long Expected Party. Stories: 6 mile hikeDressing like a hobbitPlaying music with Kelly and Mitch in the Dancing Pony.Providing the atmosphere for Middle-EarthSunrise over The ShireSinging beneath the stars. Ed Miller has a gift for turning lived experience into song. In "The Wide Rio Grande," he tells the story of a young Scottish singer facing the sting of rejection at the U.S. border — and how that moment bound him to countless others who've risked everything to cross into a new life. It's a song about displacement and determination, about rules that separate and courage that refuses to be denied. From Houston to Laredo, from Scotland to Mexico, it is both personal and universal — a reminder that behind every border there are human hearts, still daring to cross. 11:19 - Ed Miller "The Wide Rio Grand" from Many's The Fine Tale The Wide Rio Grande Lyrics and music by Brian McNeill Fifteen years gone, the airport in Houston A young Scottish singer stands waiting in line He's been too long apart from the home of his heart It's a young Texas sweetheart so fair and so fine But the man at the desk with his uniform shoulders Gives uniform reasons and a uniform smile Takes more than a song son. The paperwork's wrong son Fly back where you came from just 5000 miles Come all you brave lads who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande London to Mexico, ready to try again Walk through a border that thousands have crossed Join the bold dispossessed of the South and the West For a white boy from Scotland, no irony lost But he knows as he reaches the light in Laredo With the guards looking on and the sun beating down That the hard law and order, the rules on the border Has made him at one with the men who have drowned Come all you brave lads who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande So the next time you walk the wrong side of the border Remember this song as you think on your lot For every man, Jack, who can take the road back Should think on the fortune of those who cannot For Wetback's a name that they whisper in corners But there's one man hear who will wear it with pride For a fence or a wall means nothing at all For a heart full of courage will ne'er be denied Come all you brave lads who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande Compadres and amigos who follow my story I'll stand at the border and give you my hand Here's honor and luck, good health, and glory To those who would try for the wide Rio Grande 15:50 - UPCOMING SHOWS OCT 11: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GAOCT 17-19: MultiVerse, Peachtree City, GANOV 1: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GANOV 8: IrishFest Atlanta, Roswell, GA with InaraNOV 14-16: CONjuration, Duluth, GANOV 22: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GADEC 6: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GADEC 7: Nerdy Wonderland at The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates, GA @ 12 - 5 PM. Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever ...
    Más Menos
    35 m
  • Quest & Chorus #3: Tintagel - History, Shipwrecks & Myth (special feature Folk Songs & Stories)

    Quest & Chorus #3: Tintagel - History, Shipwrecks & Myth (special feature Folk Songs & Stories)
    Sep 22 2025
    Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where songs remember what history forgets. I'm your bard, and today, we climb a legendary cliff—where myth and memory blur. To Tintagel. Some say King Arthur was born here. Others say he died here. And whether that's true or not doesn't really matter… Because this place feels like the kind of place where someone says goodbye. Today, we raise a glass—to stories that fade, and the people who carry them. This is Quest & Chorus #307 0:30 - Heather Dale "Mordred's Lullaby" from The Trial of Lancelot and The Secret World of Celtic Rock 3:41 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where every place has a story, every story has a song, and every song is a step in the quest. I'm your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as Folk Songs & Stories, but today, we call it Quest & Chorus. Quest & Chorus is a 6-part podcast series. I fuse my love of music, science fiction and fantasy, and travel into a podcast with a quest. In each episode, you will get a clue to unlock a secret reward. And at the end of the season, you will combine all of those clues to unlock an even bigger amazing reward. If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather. UPCOMING SHOWS SEP 24-28: ALEP 6, Harrodsburg, KYOCT 11: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GAOCT 17-19: MultiVerse, Peachtree City, GANOV 1: Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Festival, Fairburn, GANOV 8: IrishFest Atlanta, Roswell, GA with Inara Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you listen. Email pictures of where you're listening to follow@celtfather . I'll send you a free gift and you can learn more about how to follow this podcast. News October Patreon Membership Drive. Get a free album: Field of Drams: Kilted Drinking SongsFlash Sale on MageRecords.comGuess the Secret Word to Unlock a reward. A big thanks to my… GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON If you enjoy this podcast or you love listening to my music, please follow my Celtfather Patreon page. You can sign up for free and get updates on what's new and you can get an ad-free edition of this podcast before public listeners. But you get so much more when you become a Patron of the Arts. Patreon is one of the ways modern musicians and podcasters make a living. For just $5 per month, you'll get exclusive, unreleased songs, podcasts, video concerts, bootleg concerts, and so much more. Email follow@celtfather to get more details! 7:55 - Brobdingnagian Bards "Do Virgins Tast Better Medley" from A Faire To Remember 12:43 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos. In 2026, you can join me for a Celtic Invasion of Galicia in Spain. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com. Let's begin the… QUEST & CHORUS of TINTAGEL, CORNWALL - History & Myth Tintagel is carved into the coast of Cornwall — cliffs like the broken edge of a sword, sea spray rising like breath. Ruins cling to the stone. A castle? Maybe. A dream? Definitely. But before we step into the realm of Arthur and Avalon, let's talk about what Tintagel really is. 🏰 The History The site we call Tintagel Castle was built in the 1230s by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, the brother of King Henry III. Richard was a man of immense wealth and ambition. And his castle wasn't entirely practical. It wasn't raised to defend farmland or trade routes. It was built as a statement — to tie himself to the powerful myths already woven into Tintagel's cliffs. But Tintagel's story stretches much further back. Archaeological excavations reveal traces of a post-Roman settlement from the 5th to 7th centuries. Pottery and glassware from the Mediterranean show that Tintagel was a hub of high-status trade — a gateway where Cornish kings connected with the wider world. Of course, life on these cliffs was never easy. The seas around Tintagel are beautiful but brutal. The jagged rocks and fierce Atlantic storms made this stretch of coast notorious for shipwrecks. For centuries, sailors feared the Cornish coast as "the graveyard of ships." Wreckage would wash ashore, and in the medieval period — and even later — locals salvaged timbers, cargo, and stories from the sea. These wrecks added to Tintagel's aura: a place where lives and legends were broken against the rocks, where the ocean itself seemed determined to test humanity's endurance. So Tintagel is not just a romantic ruin. It is a site of trade, ambition, and survival — a place shaped as much by the storms of the sea as by the myths of men. 🗡️ The Mythology Of course, it's the legends ...
    Más Menos
    28 m