Yesterday’s Buzzyblog Podpost featured the Nightingales’ singing about a German Clockwinder tuning up the Irish guy’s wife’s “clock.” As I was seeking additional info about that bawdy tune, it led me ironically enough to the very sweet and tender Irish Lullaby aka “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral“
I found this great opening scene from a Cheers episode proving once again that it really was the best sitcom ever. Love Diane’s line (00:22) “God couldn’t be everywhere. That’s why he created mothers.” (Also, note how Diane/Shelly Long’s voice is pulled out of the mix (1:18) because she could actually sing, whereas the others were only so-so.)
The tune has been covered by many different folks, including Bing Crosby (below) in 1944 and Dexy’s Midnight Runners in Come on Eileen. (Come on Eileen first appeared on Dexys second album “Too-Rye-Ay” which points out that no one really knows exactly how to spell the song’s title with all of these variations of it.)
My favorite version of the song is from The Last Waltz. Only quibble I have with it is that Richard Manuel does not get the screen time that he should have. Van is highlighted rightfully so; but Richard should have been more visible too. See what you think. (For a good article on Richard and his performances in The Last Waltz (click here.)
P.S. I did find some info on the origins and history of that German Clockwinder tune (click here.)