I used to frequent, as in haunt, an Irish pub just north of Ft. Lauderdale. The Harp and Piper, what it lacked in outward appearances, it more than made up for in ambiance. It was ground zero for the Irish ex-pats in the area. It was the HQ for the GAA team, as well as being the place where if you wanted to leave a message for someone in South Florida or in Ireland.
It was tough to make friends, at first. It was prior to the Irish Tiger, so there might be people with dodgy ID and Immigration, while focused on the Latin influx, wasn't above sending a lad back home on the boat.
I started hanging out there for the Guinness, the Harp had the best pour in the area. Eventually, my frequency of appearance and the sharing of cigarettes and drink along with some conversation made me less someone to be wary of.
The end of the bar, by the door, was the "A" position for the regulars. The bar was full of its characters, and the movers and shakers kept their seats by the entrance. One, in particular, was a standout. A big man, over six feet and an easy 200 pounds of hard muscle brought on by a lifetime of work in construction. He was a republican, growing up in (London)Derry during the Troubles, sung by the posers, U2. I fantasized that he came to the States to escape some shenanigans in Derry. He never said and I never asked.
He dominated the place, indeed, the entire Irish ex-pat network in South Florida, with the kind of respect that is implied rather than explicit. It was a respect that the Irish sum up in the word, Himself.
Noel took a shining to me, and soon I was able to sit at the end of the bar. One Sunday, during the football season, we were discussing music and bands, in that who do you listen to sort of thing. I mentioned that I liked Rory Gallagher, and Noel burst out in a huge voice, "King of the World!" This was long before the young Leo yelled the same thing off the bow of that boat. Later, I tended bar on weekends at the Harp & Piper, and when I would spin a Rory tune, that booming voice, if present, would yell "King of the World."
While this next video may not make Noel's case, it does a pretty good job of laying the groundwork. Noel, this one's for you.
Rory Gallagher, doing "Off The Handle" live at Rockpalast 1979:
No comments:
Post a Comment