One of Chris' greatest loves was for the fonn mall or slow air, an instrumental rendition of the air or tune of a song. He learned some from other players - The Lament for Staker Wallace he had from fiddler John Dwyer. Most he learned from having the songs themselves in his head. Some he learned from the singing of Sorcha ní Ghuairim, who taught the Irish language classes he attended in Dublin. He recalled fondly how he would show up early for class and ask her to sing, and she would oblige without hesitation.

Chris Langan in a Miltown Classroom photo by Peter Laban

Although primarily a book of dance music, Chris' book Move Your Fingers, does include a number of slow airs. He had learned many of these direct from the singing tradition. To put the melodies in context, and to supplement the book, on this site we have to provided Irish and English verses to as many of these airs as possible. Because the verses were not supplied by Chris there will be some inconsistencies found in the Irish spellings. Other more serious error are possible as well. Feel free to contact us if you can supply more verses, added history or would like to post a correction or addendum.

Links to Verses etc. Thanks to traditional singer Catherine Crowe for submitting most ot these verses & references. Also to Sean nós singer Terry Kane for added lrics notes and correctiosn

Music Melodies are found in Move Your Fingers Note: Chris' settings are his own, they do not specifically reflect the verses Catherine has provided.

Accursed Kerryman (The) song melody Anac Cuan (Irish & English verses) song melody Banks of the Suir (The) song melody Bean Dub a Gleanna (Irish verses) slow air Blackbird and His Mate song melody Brown Thorned Bush (Irish & English verses) song melody Bunclody (English verses) song melody Coolin, (The) (Irish & English verses) song melody Dark Lochnagar highland pipe tune - verses by Lord Byron Death of Staker Wallace (instrumental only) slow air Farewell to the Moy highland pipe tune For Ireland I Won't Tell Her Name Air Eirinn ni Neosainn Cia (Irish & English verses) song melody Kilkesh (Irish verses) pipe tune and song Kirstine highland pipe tune Lament for Breandán Breathnach-- (instrumental only) original slow air Lament for the Yew Trees -- (instrumental only) original slow air Loch Duich highland pipe tune Mary from Dunloe (English verses) song melody Ned of the Hills (Irish & English verses) song melody Sliabh na mBan (Irish verses) song melody Snowy Breasted Pearl song melody