Cover Artwork 
 Fire in the forge that  shapes and tempers. 
 Fire in the cauldron that nourishes and heals. 
  Fire in the head that incites and inspires.

  She who brings life to my soul
 She who nurtures and protects in time,
She who remembers all things must end

Her slender neck of oaken strength
 Her tresses of the firelight's hue
  Her body molded by my hands

  When all I see are Her eyes before me
 When all I hear are songs from other lands
When all I I feel is Her hand in mine

Then I know the gift of Brighid's fire

Play List

(Yellow titles have sound samples)

Title Time
1. The Hunt 2:28
2. Eleanor Plunkett 2:14
3. The Minstrel Boy 1:58
4. Argument with the Landlady 1:47
5. The Gower Wassail 1:58
6. Yearning 2:47
7. Ash Grove 2:40
8. Y Dydd (The Day) 3:18
9. Sidhe Beg Sidhe Mor 2:54
10. Thomas the Rhymer 2:54
11. Old Blackthorn Stick 2:33
12. The Gartan Mother's Lullaby 1:41
13. Greensleeves 3:20
14. The Wild Geese 2:19
15. Planxty Brown 2:51
16. Planxty Burke 3:16
17. Farewell to Music 2:04
18. Planxty Harrison 1:42

Cover Artwork Brighid is the ancient Irish patron goddess of healing, smithcraft, and inspiration. Brighid is also the name I have given my harp. She is an ancient-style Irish wire-strung harp, similar to the 16th century Brian Boru harp. Brighid is constructed of hard maple with a soundboard of Baltic birch, and has strings of phosphor bronze. The technique used in playing her is different than that used for harps with nylon strings, as the strings are plucked with the nails instead of the fingertips. This produces a bell-like sound and a very long sustain. For any that are so inspired, you may find the plans that I used in the book "Making Folk Instruments in Wood," by Dennis Waring (January 1981, HarperCollins, ISBN: 0-80697-5407)

"Brighid's Fire" is available from me (pg_harvey@hotmail.com, 314-771-3521) for $13 plus $2 shipping, and can also found at Music Folk (8015 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, Missouri -- http://musicfolk.com)

It was recorded by Patrick Harvey at Bradford Smith Music, 204 Elm Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. ( www.bradfordsmithmusic.com, or call 314-322-3192). Brad's technical knowledge and skills were invaluable in this production. Cover photo by the gracious permission of Linda Stougaard Nielsen and Klaus Bucka-Lassen. My wife, Donna Harvey, performed all of the vocals, and her love, support, and patience has been a blessing to me. All of the artwork is by Ruth H. Moody, copyright 2003, all rights reserved. Many thanks for her creations, and the encouragement that allowed me to turn this dream into reality. And finally, to House Andover of the SCA for their friendship and patronage of the arts, and to Chris Friedman, who allowed me to use the wood shop of the University of Notre Dame's physics department to build her.


Credits:

Cover Artwork "The Hunt," "Yearning," "Planxty Fiona," "Thomas the Rhymer" (1st and 3rd parts) copyright 2003 by Patrick Harvey.
"Eleanor Plunkett," "Arguement with the Landlady," "Sidhe Beg Sidhe Mor," "Planxty Brown," "Planxty Burke," and "Farewell to Music" by Turlough O'Carolan.
"The Gartan Mother's Lullabye", from "Songs of Uladh," by Padraig Mac Aodha O'Neill and Seosamh Mac Cathmhaoil. Published by William Mullan, Belfast, 1904
All other songs traditional.

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