Orthodox Celts song

[rap4th]

Hello all!!

While I am patiently waiting to get my first mandolin delivered to me (probably won't arrive until after this weekend)...I am listening to some of my favorite tunes (Irish, rock, etc) so I can figure out the chords and their progression once I do get my mandolin. Once tune in particular I would love to play along with: "Captain Moonlight and Me"; an original song by Orthodox Celts. If you never heard the song, here is a YouTube link to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km1lTqsfd9Q

So my questions are:
1. Can someone get me started on what chords are being played or at the very least let me know what key it is in so I can try to figure out the chords myself
2. Starting at 4:46 in the video, the song gets a very irregular beat...or at least a strong downbeat in a place that is not expected. Would anyone be able to tell me the time signature of this segment of the song? I have tried to count it out and always get thrown off on the strong irregular downbeat.

Of course I am thinking that I am going to be able to pick-up my mandolin and start playing it....even though I have never touched a string instrument before. I am hoping to at least be able to play some 2 finger chords with some practice and then, hopefully, be able to play along with some of my favorite tunes. I just hope I am able to get the gist of playing well enough to do so.

Rob

[Darren Bailey]

Hey Rob, never heard of this band before, does the "orthodox" refer to the Christian religion? Being both Orthodox and English myself I too find this an intriguing name.

[Mandoviol]

Apparently, they're from Belgrade, so "Orthodox" really means "Eastern Orthodox" here.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Apparently, they're from Belgrade, so "Orthodox" really means "Eastern Orthodox" here.

Unless they consider themselves Orthodox Celts, and practice the Druid faith.

[rap4th]

Yeah, I really don't know much about the band....other then I really liked their tunes! I have been trying to figure out the chords to this song now that I got my mandolin but still having problems. Right now I can only play 2 finger chords. I have tried 3 but my fingers won't behave yet. The chords I can play are G, C, D, F and E minor. I am really trying to get A major down...but that is just really hard to keep my first finger on the 3&4th stings at the 2nd fret and then stretch the other 2 fingers. Oh well, I keep practicing....I hope to get it down eventually.
Rob

[JeffD]

Of course I am thinking that I am going to be able to pick-up my mandolin and start playing it....even though I have never touched a string instrument before. I am hoping to at least be able to play some 2 finger chords with some practice and then, hopefully, be able to play along with some of my favorite tunes. I just hope I am able to get the gist of playing well enough to do so.

Some of the skills will take longer than you expect, others will come quickly. But you will have a ripping good time right away.