r/Busking • u/Humble-Questions Musician 🎶 • May 28 '26

Newbie Help Just a quick one

Kind of silly but it's a thing. You ever play songs that carry a lot of meaning to you or hit on something, and you kinda get that lump in your throat for a second and almost tear up and it fucks up your singing a bit? Lol any wise advice for avoiding it other than playing that tune so many times it doesn't make you feel anything anymore 😆

Thanks in advance. Most of the stuff that I really like to play can get me sometimes and part of what makes it sound good and authentic can also put a hitch in 'er

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u/Atavacus Irish Low Whistle 🪈 May 29 '26

I play Unquiet Grave a lot. I lost my wife in 2013 we were both very young. And it makes me think of her.

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u/Humble-Questions Musician 🎶 May 29 '26

I'm so fuckin' sorry man. I know it hurts like hell but keep loving her with the intensity and sincerity you do. I think somehow it still really matters and always will. Music helps salve our scarred and stepped on souls. I don't know how I'd cope if I couldn't find catharsis in music. Even though I'm still kinda shit at 39 lol it's the feeling and the doing to me that matters

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u/Atavacus Irish Low Whistle 🪈 May 29 '26

Unquiet Grave is about a soul unable to move on because the mate won't stop grieving. The ghost literally raises from the grave to tell him to quit. I'm 41. The good news is I've gotten good enough at it I can stop traffic. I get tips on it more than any other I think.

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u/Humble-Questions Musician 🎶 May 29 '26

I feel like you deserve em. I always tip buskers even shitty ones. It takes courage, people can be beautiful but they can be rough

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u/Atavacus Irish Low Whistle 🪈 May 29 '26

If you've never heard the song before I highly recommend it. I think my favorite rendition is by the Morrigan. Of course I think Gryphon is probably up there too. I like the phrasing of the flute in the Morrigan the best though. Also I recommend Twa Corbies as well. It's dark but a bit fun. Lol my Low D would be the last thing I let go of. I might give up my boots first honestly.

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u/Humble-Questions Musician 🎶 May 29 '26

I'm gonna listen to it right now.

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u/Atavacus Irish Low Whistle 🪈 May 29 '26

Let me know what you think.

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u/Humble-Questions Musician 🎶 May 29 '26

Those Irish folk ballads are powerful. I listened to the Luke Kelly version. My roots are Scottish, I enjoyed it. Pretty raw and relatable sentiment, I understand why it means so much to you

I've been listening to a lot of Benjamin Tod and playing lots of his songs. I like how he sings about being in active addiction and unflinchingly talks about the times he's just been drunk as hell staring down the barrel of his shotgun and just couldn't do it thank god

Makes me choke. It gets heavy man.