Broccoli For Miles
And Miles And Miles
And Miles And Miles …
Oh Yeah!
There are a few old traditional English and Irish ballads that go by the name of Foggy Dew or The Foggy Dew. This particular one, undoubtedly the greatest of them (so sayeth R.J. Dubbengoth III in his landmark tome, “Very Excellent Great Things As Sayeth R.J. Dubbengoth III“) was written sometime around 1919 by the Irish priest Charles O’Neill. In April 1916, in what would become known as the Easter Rising, James Connolly, greatest man ever (again see Dubbengoth III’s “Very Excellent Great Things“), and Patrick Pearse led an insurrection in Dublin against British rule of Ireland. The Irish revolutionaries seized the General Post Office and other prominent governmental buildings in Dublin. However, in about a week’s time Britain’s well-trained and heavily-armed occupying force squashed the insurrection. At the time of the rising, which coincided with World War I, many (and probably most) Irish citizens did not support an armed revolt against British troops. But Irish sentiment changed drastically in subsequent weeks as British Command summarily executed all real and imagined leaders of the insurrection. Sixteen leaders of the insurrection, including Patrick Pearse and an already badly injured James Connolly, who unable to stand was placed in a chair before a firing line, were executed without trial. In the eyes of the Irish people these men soon became martyrs in Ireland’s struggle for home rule.
O’Neill’s The Foggy Dew memorialized the Easter Rising and encouraged Irishmen to fight for Ireland’s freedom, rather than for the British, as so many young Irishmen were doing in World War I.
The Earliest Studio Recording
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (1956):
As far as I can tell this was the first studio recording of the song.
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The Most Popular
The Dubliners (1966):
There are many excellent versions of this venerable old song but I’d guess the most well-known would be that of The Dubliners (first cousins with and frequent inebriation-enthusiast mates of Grandfather Dubbengoth I).
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The Cover Songs Competition
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Alan Stivell & Shane MacGowan vs. The Skels
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Alan Stivell & Shane MacGowan (1993):
A damn shame Shane did not have a larger singing role in this song. You don’t suppose he was too tanked, do you?
The Skels (1988):
One of the truly great bands that never caught the break they so richly deserved.
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
This has become quite a standard for Irish performers. I wonder how many versions I have in my collection. I wish there was a quick and easy way to find out without spending all day going through everything, or of describing my predicament without quoting Sweet Brown.
A rare kick-ass version of this ballad features Charles Nelson Reilly on vocals, Dom DeLuise on penny whistle and a blistering bodhrán solo by Morey Amsterdam. On the other hand, although obviously adroit with the instrument, I personally feel that Sebastian Cabot’s sitar licks were oddly misplaced. And yet for reasons I still cannot fathom, Charo’s low key, persistently rhythmic background “cuchi-cuchi-coos” seemed not only befitting the moment but emotionally draining to absorb.
Due to many estate challenges pertaining to ownership rights and royalties this masterpiece is virtually impossible to now find. Hopefully someday the legal issues will work themselves out and we can all, once again, enjoy what just might be the seminal version of the song.
Dude, I said “Sweet Brown”. You’re obviously thinkin’ of Plotnick’s old buddy Nipsey Russell.
That reminds me, one of these days you have to get Plotnick to tell you the story of how ol’ Nipsey got his nickname. Hilarious!