Lyr Req/Add: Sitting on the Bridge below the Town

Subject: Lyr Req: Sitting on the Bridge below the Town
From: mhega
Date: 26 Nov 09 - 07:41 AM

I am trying to source the lyrics of the song "Sitting on the bridge below the town" by Frank Donovan - can anybody help please?

Subject: ADD: Sitting on the Bridge Below the Town
From: GUEST,Donal
Date: 27 Nov 09 - 12:44 AM

SITTING ON THE BRIDGE BELOW THE TOWN
(Frank O'Donovan)

Now there's a bridge below the town, I'd have you all to know,
It's broken and it's tumbling to the ground,
But there we used to gather every evening long ago,
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

We'd go there every evening and till bedtime there we'd stop
Discussing all the news that's going round;
Talking politics and horses and the weather and the crops
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

For larning', our schoolmaster could compare with all the rest,
In classroom, not his equal could be found,
But for eloquent discoursin', he was always at his best,
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

We'd congregate there every Sunday mornin' after Mass
With lads in from the country all around,
We'd be watchin' folks and smilin' at the girls as they'd pass,
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

'Twas there I first met Peggy and she smiled as she passed by,
At sight I knew she'd suit me to the ground,
But sure when she sat beside me there, I thought I'd surely die
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

And then one summer's evenin' 'twas a Sunday afternoon,
When all was quiet and no one was around,
Faith she kissed me and she promised she'd be marryin' me soon
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

We went to Father Dan and said we wanted to be wed,
He looked at us and then began to frown,
He asked us where we'd met and started laughin' when we said
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

All that was years ago and now we've sons that's big and tall,
At dance halls and the talkies they'll be found,
But sure times is always changin' and they'd see no fun at all
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

But many's the match was made there, aye and many's the stories told
As we smoked our pipes and watched the sun go down.
Now some of them are dead and gone, the rest are growin' old
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

The nations are rearmin' and preparin' for to fight
But a settlement could easily be found
If, instead of at Geneva, they were meetin' here tonight
Sittin' on the bridge below the town.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sitting on the Bridge below the Town
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Nov 09 - 03:10 AM

The lyrics Donal posted are exactly the same as what I found in Walton's New Treasury of Irish Songs and Ballads, Part 2 (1966, Walton's, Ltd.), pages 63-64. No tune was provided. The songwriter was listed as Frank O'Donovan, so I added that to Donal's post.

You can hear a sample of the song here (click)
-Joe-

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Sitting on the Bridge below the Town
From: mhega
Date: 27 Nov 09 - 01:13 PM

Thanks a million, Joe! - I am new to the site mudcat.org, and couldn't find your thread when I checked for replies.. I am amazed at the efficiency.. thanks again for your prompt response. The old songs will never be dead while this resource is around..

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Sitting on the Bridge below the Town
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Nov 09 - 05:18 PM

Hi, Mhega-
Remember that it's Donal who posted the lyrics, so the thanks goes to him. Great song, isn't it?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Sitting on the Bridge below the Town
From: GUEST,Jude Devine
Date: 07 Feb 16 - 11:21 AM

Thank you so much for this. I just fell in love with PJ singing it.