Origins of Stairway to Heaven?

[Cable]

You all know the song 'Stairway to Heaven', right? A while back I was listening to Randy Bachman on the radio (CBC Radio 1) and he talked about how Robert Plant wrote the lyrics based on his poetry, but the tune came from a very old song. Supposedly back in like the 1400's or 1500's or 1600's (I don't remember which) there was a guy called Kerrigan who used to go up to people's front gates and would play a song on his harp. The song eventually became known as 'Kerrigan's Dream' and Bachman said that the chords from 'Stairway' are taken from it. Now, I don't know if it's true or not, but I believe it is. Has anyone else ever heard something like this? I tried to find anything about it with Google, but no luck

[Led Zeppelin]

Nope, first time hearing this.

[Jowe]

Heres a list of some of the songs Zep stole from other artists:

"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" - A folk song by Anne Bredon, this was originally credited as "traditional, arranged by Jimmy Page," then "words and music by Jimmy Page," and then, following legal action, "Bredon/Page/Plant."
"Black Mountain Side" - uncredited version of a traditional folk tune previously recorded by Bert Jansch.
"Bring It On Home" - the first section is an uncredited cover of the Willie Dixon tune (as performed by the imposter Sonny Boy Williamson).
"Communication Breakdown" - apparently derived from Eddie Cochran's "Nervous Breakdown."
"Custard Pie" - uncredited cover of Bukka White's "Shake 'Em On Down," with lyrics from Sleepy John Estes's "Drop Down Daddy."
"Dazed And Confused" - uncredited cover of the Jake Holmes song (see The Above Ground Sound Of Jake Holmes).
"Hats Off To (Roy) Harper" - uncredited version of Bukka White's "Shake 'Em On Down."
"How Many More Times" - Part one is an uncredited cover of the Howlin' Wolf song (available on numerous compilations). Part two is an uncredited cover of Albert King's "The Hunter."
"In My Time Of Dying" - uncredited cover of the traditional song (as heard on Bob Dylan's debut).
"The Lemon Song" - uncredited cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor" - Wolf's publisher sued Zeppelin in the early 70s and settled out of court.
"Moby Dick" - written and first recorded by Sleepy John Estes under the title "The Girl I Love," and later covered by Bobby Parker.
"Nobody's Fault But Mine" - uncredited cover of the Blind Willie Johnson blues.
"Since I've Been Lovin' You" - lyrics are the same as Moby Grape's "Never," though the music isn't similar.
"Stairway To Heaven" - the main guitar line is apparently from "Taurus" by Spirit.
"White Summer" - uncredited cover of Davey Graham's "She Moved Through The Fair."
"Whole Lotta Love" - lyrics are from the Willie Dixon blues "You Need Love."

[Cable]

Nobody knows anything about this? I sent an email to Randy Bachman asking him if he can tell me more about it, I'll post his reply if I get one.

[GloveGuy]

Oh here's to my sweet Satan
The one whose little path would make me sad, whose power is Satan
He'll give you give you 666
There was a little toolshed where he made us suffer
Sad Satan

[Bang]

I actually reversed the song to see if that backmasking was true, and you can really hear some of it clearly. Was pretty creepy when I actually heard it after reversing the song.

[Fresh8]

The part that Golveguy posted was quite clear... very creepy stuff.

After listening to some other backmasked tracks... for example, beattles songs... they are all weird.

[Cameron]

A little off topic... but I love that Randy Bachman show. Lots of neat, random classic rock info stuff.

I know Zep openly admits to taking a lot of old blues songs and speeding them up.

[tongefactor40]

most overplayed and overhyped song of all time, when i hear it on the radio now i change channels, would rather listen to commercials than that song again

[Cameron]

How is it overhyped? It wasn't written by the Spice Girls or anything.

[Cable]

Do you really think it would get that much airtime - if in fact it did get a lot of play - if the song sucked? Wouldn't you get sick of any song eventually? It's a great song, I wouldn't mind hearing it more often.

I haven't gotten a response from Randy yet

[J@3]

Google it, there's plenty of websites that have song meanings.

[tongefactor40]

Do you really think it would get that much airtime - if in fact it did get a lot of play - if the song sucked? Wouldn't you get sick of any song eventually? It's a great song, I wouldn't mind hearing it more often.

I haven't gotten a response from Randy yet

well its constantly on the radio, they play it way too much. when is the last time it was not on the top 2 for songs of the year that radio stations do a couple days before january 1?

my all time favorite song... one that never seems to get old that is, would have to be sweet home alabama

[Cameron]

It might have been played a lot but I definetly wouldn't call it overhyped because it IS an excellent song. Sweet home alabama is great too (although I would call Freebird the better overall song).

[Jackal]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backward_message

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/030425.html

How can you not love the internet? How? Tell me. How?

[The Other Kevin]

If it doesn't give you some pussy?

[Jackal]

You mean you haven't gotten a lifetime subscription to Whores 'R Us.com yet? Yeesh.

[Cable]

That's great Jackal, but it's not what I wanted to know. I want to know about the 'Kerrigan's Dream' bit, and that was nowhere to be found on the 'Net. The only place I've ever heard it is on Vinyl Tap, but I trust Randy Bachman.

[The Other Kevin]

You mean you haven't gotten a lifetime subscription to Whores 'R Us.com yet? Yeesh.

No accsess to credit card.

[Jackal]

No accsess to credit card.

You can exchange sperm for a subscription. Jack off, collect your sperm, use a cup or your sister & insert the sperm into your CD drive. Close it & wait for the PC to give you a popup. Welcome to heaven it'll say.

It might shutdown too, if you have bad sperm.

[Cable]

10 bucks says nbalive52352446 tries that.

[Riot]

10 bucks says nbalive52352446 tries that.

Is Michael Redd included in that package?

(That was a bad joke)

[Cable]

(That was a bad joke)

No kidding, I have no idea what you mean

[Nick]

Do you really think it would get that much airtime - if in fact it did get a lot of play - if the song sucked? Wouldn't you get sick of any song eventually? It's a great song, I wouldn't mind hearing it more often.

I haven't gotten a response from Randy yet

Apparently Stairway to heaven used to be the song that everybody used to skip, because they just wanted to "rock out".

(Disclaimer: My sources on this are not reliable)

[Jugs]

I'm too scared to listen to songs backwards, i'm such a pussy when it comes to most conspiracy theories