In the process of doing heavy research on a "slip" that Robbie made on a
version of liquid refreshment (for another topic of course), I would
note that this is an Angle Saxon word, possibly Frisian and Old High
German.  Thus both Rob and I , in the Old High German area are the
masters of this language, and whoever related it to Ireland _directly_
could have erred.

The story of the fermented run-off of the Romans could well be true, sort
of like the Viennese song "Bier Hier, Bier Hier", could also well have
taken place.  However, the linguists of the world -- at least, two famous
ones I know: myself and Robbie -- will state with great authority that
the word "beer" is from the Old Norse "bygg" meaning drippings from
barley...now put that in your music box.

The accomplishment I want to bring to _all_ is that I have sent a nice
well-written letter in Quebecoise (Canadian French), to the maitre of the
Musee de Phonographe Edison in Ste. Anne de Beaupre, and hopefully we
will get a copy of their flyer and I will translate it (as Robbie passed
on that crap-throw), and you will have information on the contents and
such of the Edison Museum in their little town.  Please, still, remember
not to go there between about July 19 to August 3 at least, or you will
be swamped with the ill, the lame and the halt.

I do know, being a lover of the French Canadian music, that there are
some renditions there, in that area, from cylinder to CD, of the folk
songs of the great Felix LeClerc.  There is not a school child in the
whole province of Quebec who does not know at least a half dozen of his
songs (which have been released recently in a set of 6 CD's).  His most
popular song, "Moi Mes Souliers" ("Me and My Shoes have traveled a
lot"), and "The Clothesline" are especially wonderful.  The set is _not_
available in this country, as is usually the case, and may usually be
found at Archambeault Freres, 600 Rue Ste Catherine, Montreal, PQ.

Incidentally my research work on Edison Blue Ambersol Cylinders is
coming, and soon, there will be a web site where you find the *old*, old
sheet music for the songs your great grandparents used to sing and play.
These are the sheets that were advertised with beautifully lithographed
covers (and I mean ... *beautiful*).  I will be posting at a site-to-be
many of these on a sale, and also a streaming audio basis.  The covers of
many of these sheets are usually framed, whether you can play the piano
or not, and even of more interest is that the sheet at the bottom, many
times, would say "words and music for you, your piano, and your Player
Piano.

They are _not_ inexpensive, and are works of art, some of which, like the
song Asleep at the Switch (an E. T. Paull favorite of 1888) are planned
for the masthead of the "site to be".  All notices will be in English,
Robbie and Jody, but if you want to argue more about the Old Norse "bygg"
for barley for beer, let's have a go-at-it!

 [ You can order buggs, I'll drink beers.  :-)   -- Robbie

Bill Ryan

P.S.  Note to Robbie:  They have put telephones and electricity in that
little town in Connecticut now, the postcard of the hotel is sitting on
my deck and they are starting to put a real nice road in from the woods
to the Opera House.  If you have any other wishes, you best make them
now.  Take care all.

 [ When will indoor toilets be installed?  ;)