Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?

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Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?

Post by OBrien »

Have you heard the theory that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was based on the slow air "O'Carolan's Dream"?

Here's a link to the tune so you can check it out:

http://www.cpmusic.com/tradgif/ocarodr.gif

It's in Am, but transcribes nicely to Em for D whistle. (Drop every note three steps.)
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Post by ShadowBG625 »

Hm...that very well could be. I read that there are a number of past references in that song.
The lyrics, written by Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant next to an evening log fire, were inspired by his search for spiritual perfection. A seminal influence was the book Magic Arts in Celtic Britain by Lewis Spence, which Plant had recently read; it contained references to May Queens, pipers, and "bustling hedgerows." The line, "In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees," could be a reference to William Wordsworth's poem Tintern Abbey: "...and wreaths of smoke / Sent up, in silence, from among the trees!"
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Re: Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?

Post by billw »

O'Brien wrote:Have you heard the theory that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was based on the slow air "O'Carolan's Dream"?

Here's a link to the tune so you can check it out:

http://www.cpmusic.com/tradgif/ocarodr.gif

It's in Am, but transcribes nicely to Em for D whistle. (Drop every note three steps.)
Not to my ear. In fact, that air comes across as a crib from Gregorian chant. Take it to adagio and you'll easily hear what I mean.
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Post by anniemcu »

Doesn't seem far fetched to me. I hear clear echoes of it.
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Post by billw »

anniemcu wrote:Doesn't seem far fetched to me. I hear clear echoes of it.
Um... Annie ... you play soprano G whistles. I think the echoes are pretty normal for you. :D

LOL
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Re: Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?

Post by walrii »

O'Brien wrote:It's in Am, but transcribes nicely to Em for D whistle. (Drop every note three steps.)
How do you play the D-sharp accidentals in the Em version? I'm using a standard high-D whistle.
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Post by CRC »

Hmmm. What's "Stairway to Heaven"? :-?
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Post by monkey »

I hear it quite clearly !

"Stairway to Heaven" was a big hit for the group Led Zeppelin.
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Post by Screeeech!!! »

I'm sure it was Rolf Harris. :P

?
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Post by CRC »

What's Led Zeppelin?
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Post by OBrien »

Wal, you have to half hole the D#.
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Post by walrii »

OB - thanks, that works! I've never tired half-holing on the whistle and found it surprisingly easy.
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Post by Fingers »

CRC wrote:What's Led Zeppelin?
CRC! Where ya been?
I'll have one!!
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Post by CRC »

Fingers wrote:
CRC wrote:What's Led Zeppelin?
CRC! Where ya been?
In my room playing whistles. :)
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Post by anniemcu »

billw wrote:
anniemcu wrote:Doesn't seem far fetched to me. I hear clear echoes of it.
Um... Annie ... you play soprano G whistles. I think the echoes are pretty normal for you. :D

LOL
Bill
:lol: :lol:

BTW... I *own* them.. three, to be exact, but I very rarely play them so the recovery is nearly complete. :D
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