Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?

Subject: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Iains
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 02:53 PM

Can anyone please supply additional lyrics, title and history of the following song? The seagulls are calling, the wind is in the sail and we're fast moving out to the sea On a ship bound for St John's, 3000 miles away a human cargo my comrades and me.

Fare thee well my green valleys, God keep you the same If in only my mind you be I'm sailing dark waters to far Amerikay never more my green valleys to see........

Thanking you in advance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 03:58 PM

A search of the Forum (through the "Quick Links" box at the top of this page) for Green Valleys would find it for you.  Here is a shortcut to:  ADD: My Green Valleys (Glen Reid)

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Iains
Date: 22 Apr 00 - 04:52 PM

Thanks for your rapid response Malcolom. I tried a few permutations of what I thought the title was in the forum, but didn't hit the right one. Thanks again Iain

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From:
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 01:37 AM

Green Valleys was written by someone I used to know . - Glen Reid from Smith Falls Ontario. I have not seen him in years. The song was recorded by Olive Bayle. Glen had never been in Ireland but heard a lot of us talking about the place so he sat down aand wrote "GREEN VALLEYS"

2nd verse It hurts me to think of the things I left behind Though the famine has blackened the land And to look now for something that I may never find Is a problem thats now close at hand.

3rd verse The fever is raging and the wind has died away And this journey will no longer be For the plague is a shadow that lingers night and day Warmer thoughts of green valleys I see.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Eluned
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 01:45 AM

Wow! Strong lyrics, speaks to the exile in me! Sweet!

(If home means equally three drastically different places that you happened to grow up in, you are not always at home but always 2/3 an exile - or more).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Iains
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 09:27 AM

My thanks to all for the additional info. I think the tune is superb. Iain

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 01:12 PM

Glen has made his home in Burk's Falls, Ontario for some years now. He's still writing, performing and building instruments. He has started the Heritage River Festival which will see its 3rd year this summer.

And, by way of shameless promotion for a friend, the Toronto, Ontario area release concert for his 2nd CD, "Wildcats Howlin'" will be at the Transzac Club on May 14.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 27 Oct 01 - 11:53 AM

Hmmmmmm, thought I might bring this back 'cause the guy who wrote it (Glen Reid....from BURK'S FALLS, not Smith's Falls) just dropped in for a visit.

Maybe he can fill you in on why he wrote it.....Glen?

Glen Reid here; When I wrote this song I was all of 20 years old and part of an Irish folk group called Brannigan,s Boys in Toronto Ontario. We needed a filler song to complete the album, preferably an immigration song..... My green Valleys was born. I think last call its been done over 30 times and I'm never gonna get rich off it,Ha Ha. Sure am glad there are folks who like it though!

GLEN.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Jimmy C
Date: 27 Oct 01 - 12:52 PM

Hi Glen, Jimmy Cushnan here. I did a few gigs with yourself and Joe in the Camelot and ontario Place. I used to work with Ann,. Nice to hear you are still about. I am semi-retired and moved out to Whitby. If you see Joe give him my regards.

Thanks.

Always loved the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:40 PM

Hi Jimmy, like yourself I too have moved to my childhood home. I'm up in the Moose country of Burk's Falls.

[e-mail]

Give me a buzz.

P.S. I'm visiting Rick and Heather again, 'cause I was doing a gig yesterday in Toronto.

All the best.

Glen Reid.

Subject: Lyr Add: MY GREEN VALLEYS (Glen Reid)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 02:05 PM

Lyrics posted by Glen here (click). I'll post a copy of Glen's message so you can see:
Thread #63712   Message #1037575
Posted By: Glen Reid
17-Oct-03 - 09:59 PM
Thread Name: Irish Potato Famine
Subject: Lyr Add: MY GREEN VALLEYS (Glen Reid)

Here is the lyric for "My Green Valleys" as requested by Mary G.
Cheers, Glen

Oh the seagulls are calling, the wind is in the sail
And she's fast moving out to the sea
On a ship bound for St. Johns, three thousand miles away
A human cargo, my comrades and me

It hurts me to think of, the things I left behind
Though the famine, has blackened the land
And to look now for something, that I may never find
Is a problem, thats now close at hand

    Farethee well green valleys, God keep you the same
    If in only my mind, you'll be
    I am sailing dark waters, to far Americay
    And never more, my green valleys to see

Oh the fever,s a ragin' and the winds have died away
And our journey, may no longer be
Though the plague is a shadow, that lingers night and day
Former thoughts of green valley, I see

---

Here's the version from the Digital Tradition:

---

MY GREEN VALLEYS
(Glen Reid)

Oh, the seagulls are callin' and the wind is in the sails,
And she's fast moving out to the sea
On a ship bound for St. Johns three thousand miles away,
A human cargo: my comrades and me.

It hurts me to think of the things I left behind,
Though the famine has blackened the land,
And to look now for something that I may never find,
It's a problem that's now close at hand.

Cho: Fare thee well, green valleys. God keep you the same,
If only in my mind you'll be.
I'm sailing dark waters for far Americay
And never more my green valleys to see.

There's a fever a-ragin' and the winds have died away,
And our journey may no longer be.
Though the plague is a shadow that lingers night and day,
Warmer thoughts of green valleys I see.

Chorus twice and repeat last line
filename[ GRENVALY
XX

---

I guess the DT version is good - but note the difference in the last line.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 May 20 - 05:01 PM

Looks like this song appears twice in the Digital Tradition.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Farewell my Green Valleys?
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 01 May 20 - 06:30 PM

https://www.bellsirishlyrics.com/my-green-valleys.html