Biography

RADIO PROMOTION By Art Menius Radio
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Although generally considered traditional, Sean McCarthy (1923-1990), a native of Finuge, County Kerry, Ireland, wrote the text to "Shanagolden," presented here in a new recording by Wolf & Clover featuring cellist Dave Eggar. It is said that after writing the lyrics, McCarthy went searching for a tune to use with the song and ended up choosing the melody to “The Twelfth of Never,” after hearing the Donny Osmond version on the radio. This melody as in “I Gave My Love a Cherry”, also known as “The Riddle Song,” which dates back to the 15th century.

The songs are very different in their spirit, execution, and especially in their subject matter. Shanagolden is a small village in County Limerick. In Irish, the name of the village is Seanghualainn, meaning “the old shoulder." This name goes back to at least the 1st century AD and was anglicized to Shanagolden, a somewhat meaningless English phrase reminiscent of the original Irish Gaelic in sound only. The song recounts the life and death of an unnamed Irishman, conscripted to fight, as the lyrics say, against “The Saxon Strangers” who have invaded their territory. The man perishes in the fight, but his beloved sings of their son, who has grown “fine and tall” by the close of the story.

Wolf & Clover originally released "Shanagolden" on its 2018 debut album, but that album is now no longer available. The band has received numerous requests for copies, but instead opted to release a new recording of the song in 2024. Though no longer members of core band, Jessica French returned to sing the lead vocal, and Justin Belew lent his melodic, melancholic acoustic guitar to the track, alongside Matthew McCabe playing a custom-built baritone bouzouki constructed by luthier Frank Schley IV of Silvan Guitars. Julian Chalon’s dreamy electric guitar sings above the texture, created primarily on cello by Eggar, who has recorded and performed with Tony Bennett, Evanescence, Patti Smith, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and many, many others. Wolf & Clover was thrilled to collaborate with Dave on this track.

“This is a very special song for us, and we’re thrilled to put it out into the world," McCabe says. "Thanks to all the fans who encouraged us to re-record and release it!”