A great song for the New Year from a Allendale’s Rachel Unthank and the Winterset on Radio 2’s “Radcliffe and Maconie Show” on Dec 22, 2012. Thanks to the Dundalk Singing Circle for passing this along!
Tar Barrel in Dale
Tar barrel in dale
Fire in snow
Toast the New Year
Bid farewell to the old
The old year out
The New Year in
Please wont you let
The lucky bird in
With bottle in hand
And a piece of black coal
A stranger’s a friend
When first-footing you go
Tar barrel in dale
Fire in snow
Toast the New Year
Bid farewell to the old
At midnight’s approach
The band you can hear
The fiery procession
Of guisers draws near
With friends and good company
With voices so clear
Singing in harmony
Bringing in the New Year
Song of the Isles 