Origins: Mary from Dungloe

Subject: Lyr Add: MARY FROM DUNGLOE
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 08 Oct 97 - 07:04 AM

Quite a sentimental Irish song (and tune) this is, played disproportionally often during the Mary from Dungloe Festival (Source: Folksongs and ballads popular in Ireland Vol. 1; all places mentioned, except "Amerikay" [sic], are in Co. Donegal):

MARY FROM DUNGLOE

1. Oh, then fare ye well, sweet Donegal, the Rosses and Gweedore.
I'm crossing the main ocean, where the foaming billows roar,
It breaks my heart from you to part, where I spent many happy days.
Farewell to kind relations for I'm bound for Amerikay.

2. Oh my love is tall and handsome and her age is scarce eighteen,
She far exceeds all other fair maids when she trips o'er the green,
Her lovely neck and shoulders are fairer than the snow,
Till the day I die I'll ne'er deny my Mary from Dungloe.

3. If I was at home in sweet Dungloe a letter I would write,
Kind thoughts would fill my bosom for Mary, my delight.
'Tis in her father's garden the fairest violets grow,
And 'twas there I came to court the maid, my Mary from Dungloe

4. Ah, then Mary, you're my hearts delight, my pride and only care,
It was your cruel father would not let me stay there.
But absence makes the heart grow fond and when I'm o'er the main,
May the Lord protect my darling girl till I return again.

5. And I wished I was in sweet Dungloe and seated on the grass.
And by my side a bottle of wine and on my knee a lass.
I'd call for liquor of the best and I'd pay before I go
And I'd roll my Mary in my arms in the town of sweet Dungloe.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: ADD: Mary from Dungloe
From: alison
Date: 08 Oct 97 - 07:23 AM

Hi

Beautiful song about a beautiful part of the world. (Can also be sung to the tune of "Dives and Lazarus"...also know as "Kingsfold" in some hymn books.)

Slainte

Alison

Subject: Tune Add: MARY FROM DUNGLOE
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 29 Jul 99 - 04:27 AM

This is not in the DT. I copied the lyrics down somewhere, but can't find them tonight. I have no info on this song, in fact I don't know whether it is sung as an air or a rollicking tenor banjo driven song. I opted for the slower tempo as I notated it, but would appreciate some feedback. Regards, John.

---

Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net ABC format:

X:1
T:Mary From Dungloe
M:4/4
Q:1/4=120
K:C
E7D|C6C2|B6cB|A2c4A2|G6ED|E4D2E2|C6C2|C8|
-C6G2|c6c2|d6ed|c6dc|B6AG|A4B2c2|G4E2D2|E8|
-E6G2|c6c2|d6ed|c6dc|B6AG|A4B2c2|G4E2D2|E8|
-E4E2D2|C6C2|B6cB|A4c2A2|G4E2D2|E4D2E2|C4C4|
C8|-C11/2||

Subject: Lyr Add: MARY FROM DUNGLOE
From: alison
Date: 29 Jul 99 - 05:00 AM

HiJohn,

It's a slow ballad.

Mary from Dungloe

1. Oh, then fare ye well, sweet Donegal, the Rosses and Gweedore.
I'm crossing the main ocean, where the foaming billows roar,
it breaks my heart from you to part, where I spent many happy days.
Farewell to kind relations for I'm bound for Amerikay.

2. Oh my love is tall and handsome and her age is scarce eighteen,
she far exceeds all other fair maids when she trips o'er the green,
her lovely neck and shoulders are fairer than the snow,
till the day I die I'll ne'er deny my Mary from Dungloe.

3. If I was at home in sweet Dungloe a letter I would write,
kind thoughts would fill my bosom for Mary, my delight.
'Tis in her father's garden the fairest violets grow,
and 'twas there I came to court the maid, my Mary from Dungloe

4. Ah, then Mary, you're my hearts delight, my pride and only care,
it was your cruel father would not let me stay there.
But absence makes the heart grow fond and when I'm o'er the main,
may the Lord protect my darling girl till I return again.

5. And I wished I was in sweet Dungloe and seated on the grass.
And by my side a bottle of wine and on my knee a lass.
I'd call for liquor of the best and I'd pay before I go
and I'd roll my Mary in my arms in the town of sweet Dungloe.

Slainte

alison

Subject: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 03:46 PM

Does anyone have any info on this song. I have it as an instumental by Phil Coulter and it is the most beautiful melody. Anyone know any good versions with the lyrics? Thanks in advance.

Subject: ADD: Mary From Dungloe
From: mg
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:00 PM

One of my favorites. It was on a jukebox in a Greek pizza parlor in Newfoundland I first heard it.

Words as I recall and sing:

MARY FROM DUNGLOE

Fare thee well sweet Donegal the Rosses and Greenore???
I'm crossing the main ocean where foaming billows roar
It breaks my heart from you to part where we spent many happy days
Fairwell to kind relations I am bound for Americae.

Mary you're my heart's delight my pride and only care
It was your cruel father would not let me stay here
But abscence makes the heart grow fond so when I am over the main
May the Lord protect you darling girl until I return again

Then I wish I was in sweet Dunloe and seated on the grass
And by my side a bottle of wine and on my knee a lass
I'd call for liquor of the best and pay before I'd go
And I'd roll my Mary in my arms in the town of sweet Dunloe

(which I always screw up and say Sweet and Low..probably shouldn't have said so because now ..who knows..)


Many similarities to Star of Logy Bay. mg

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:30 PM

I recall Colum Sands singing this (I think) at a session in Cologne some twenty five years ago. I don't know if he ever recorded it, but as he's a very charming and talented man, I should ask him if you see him. Johnny Coppin certainly used to do it really well. Maybe he has recorded it at some stage.

Subject: Lyr Add: MARY FROM DUNGLOE
From: Reiver 2
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 09:05 PM

I know the Irish Rovers, a B.C. Canada group, sang it on at least two of their early recordings. One was an album called, "Emigrate! Emigrate." I think I may have it somewhere by someone else, but can't put my hand on it just now.

Reiver 1 and I used to sing it and I'm sure we learned it from the Irish Rovers. Our lyrics were very close to what Mary Garvey posted.

I have a set of books that I bought in Ireland a few years ago called "Folksongs & Ballads Popular in Ireland" and the song is in Vol I. The only note with the song says "Already several generations old when it was noted down in 1913. A very tuneful Co. Donegal song." No author is given. The lyrics in the book are as we (Reivers) and the Irish Rovers sang them except there are a couple extra verses which we didn't sing (verses 2 & 3);

MARY FROM DUNGLOE

Oh, then fare ye well sweet Donegal, the Rosses and Gweedore.
I'm crossing o'er the ocean, where the foaming billows roar.
It breaks my heart from you to part, where I spent many happy days.
Farewell to kind relations for I'm bound to Amerikay.

Oh, my love is tall and handsome and her age is scarce eighteen.
She far exceeds all other fair maids when she trips over the green.
Her lovely neck and shoulders are fairer than the snow;
'Till the day I die, I'll ne'er deny my Mary from Dungloe.

If I was at home in sweet Dungloe, a letter I would write.
Kind thought would fill my bosom for Mary, my delight.
'Tis in her father's garden the fairest violets grow,
And 'twas there I came to court the maid, my Mary from Dungloe.

Ah, then Mary you're my heart's delight, my pride and only care.
It was your cruel father would not let me stay there.
But absence makes the heart grow fond and when I am over the main,
May the Lord protect my darlin' girl, 'till I return again.

And I wish I was in sweet Dungloe and seated on the grass.
And by my side a bottle of wine and on my knee my lass.
I'd call for liquor of the best and I'd pay before I would go,
And I'd roll my Mary in my arms in the town of sweet Dungloe.

It's a lovely song, for sure!

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 09:54 PM

That's exactly the text posted here by Wolfgang some years ago from the same book, and now in the DT (see links above), apart from a changed word or two. It was copied from Colm O Lochlainn, Irish Street Ballads, Dublin: Three Candles, 1939, 148-9.

O Lochlainn noted: "Learnt from W Feenan, fisherman of Ardglass, 1913. He had learnt it from a Donegal girl; a variant of the air was sung to another ballad - 'Donegal's the place for all, 'tis there I'd like to be.' I gave this to D J O'S who printed it in IFS [Journal of the Irish Folk Song Society] xviii, [1929] 29."

That would appear to be the song's earliest appearance in print, though much of it is obviously modelled on earlier songs. It would a sad thing if the book you mention didn't bother to acknowledge O Lochlainn and the sources he took care to credit.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 06:53 AM

I think the group Sweeney's Men made this song popular, singing it in harmony. The song is well-known in Ireland.

I also have it from Ó Lochlainn's "Irish Street Ballads", though I change a line or two and add a verse borrowed from another song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 07:38 AM

Show of Hands do two versions. One the straight song sung by Phil Beer (on Live at the Albert Hall?) and one where they use it as a counterpoint to Ralph McTells "the Setting" (on Cold Cuts). A really haunting melody

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 07:48 AM

The recording by Emmett Spiceland made around the late 1960s is my favourite rendering of this lovely song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: Reiver 2
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 01:32 PM

Malcolm, I agree, the note in the book I have should have included the connection with Colm O Lochlainn. The note you quoted from him in Irish Street Ballads is much more helpful than the one from my book which, essentially, says nothing at all and is useless (except, perhaps, for the 1913 date). All the notes in the books I referred to (4 volumes) are brief and generally unhelpful, more's the pity.

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,nickr90
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 01:41 PM

Yes I vote for Emmett Spiceland great version there is one fantastic chord change in their original recording that makes the song.
The sang it to win a ballad competition in Wexford way back when folk was king

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: Reiver 2
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 02:00 PM

Perhaps I was too negative about the notes in these little books. I just looked them over and although my comments are accurate for most of the songs, a few of them are much more informative. Also, I forgot to mention an overall note which the editor/collector, John Loesberg, includes which says:

"Although in no way meant to be comprehensive, the following notes will give, as far as relevant and traceable, some idea of the background of each song.

"Rather than repeating the same at each entry, it must be said from the outset that the three original Irish folk-groups, who nearly single-handedly were responsible for much of the revival, The McPeake Family, The Dubliners and Tommy Makem with the Clancy Brothers, covered many of the songs in this collection with their own inimitable versions. Many of their early recordings are still available and one could do worse than to be guided by these enthusiastic, if at times, stagey performances.

"Only after the revival settled in a bit, were we able to hear the old country singers, the ones who had acted for so long as the true repository for all these wonderful songs. Many of these singers have now been recorded and their voices may be heard again.

"Apart from the recordings, mention must be made of collectors such as Joyce, Colm O'Lochlainn and James N. Healy, who first published the song books and collections that in many ways formed the backbone of the re-found repertoire."

I still would feel much better if Loesberg had been more explicit in tying individual songs to sources and background.

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,Alan Ross
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 11:48 PM

Daniel O' Donnell had a 400,000 selling version on the Album 'From the Heart' currently available as a double CD with 'thoughts of home'. His version is also available on a number of compilations.   His version recorded in 1988, issued in the States in 2003 - is probably one of the largest selling of this title -- but I don't think that folk musicians necessarily appreciate that!

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: breezy
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 08:51 AM

if it spreads the word further afield it must be a gudting

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,Lighter at work
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 11:53 AM

Belfast singer David Hammond recorded this beautifully in the early or mid-sixties. That's when I first heard it. Can't recall album name.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: jaze
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 09:09 PM

Strangely enough, I just found a cd in a cut out bin that has this song on it! It's done by someone named Sean Dynes. Such a beautiful song and great to hear the lyrics.Thanks for all the information.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary From Dungloe
From: GUEST,Ard Mahcha
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 05:25 AM

Sean Dynes from Coalisland County Tyrone Ireland, Sean made a few LP`s in the late 60s early 70s, sadly Sean died at a comparatively young age in the 1970s.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST,Gearoid
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 12:58 PM

It's Mary from DUNLOE, NOT DUNGLOE

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: irishenglish
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 01:02 PM

No, It's Dungloe, in Donegal. That is absolutely how you spell it

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: ard mhacha
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 01:13 PM

Yes Dungloe, An Clohan Liath = The grey stone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: Geoff Wallis
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 01:55 PM

OK, it's spelt Dungloe, but that's not how the town's name is pronounced. Forget the 'g'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: irishenglish
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 02:01 PM

I doubt many people would pronounce it as DUN-GLOW-I think most people would make it a silent G.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 02:18 PM

The air is surely best done slowly, especially since it gives some opportunities for embellishments not unlike those practised by Gaelic Sean nOs singers. The only set of it I've ever seen in print (I learnt it by ear, from a Donegal Forestry worker, many years ago) is in Colm O'Lochlainn's "Irish Street Ballads", and it's a very chaste setting. According to a recent BBC TV documentary on Irish Traditional Music, it achieved wide popularity when a recording was made in the 1960s (perhaps by John Kerr?).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 03:34 PM

Sweeney's Men?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 03:39 PM

No - Emmett Spiceland. Sorry.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: irishenglish
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 04:16 PM

Emmett Spiceland featuring who trivia buffs????????

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 04:23 PM

donal lunny for one... and yes, a great version...
not a bad one either was Christy Moore duetting it with Daniel O'D. on the late late show in 1994 ;o)))

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: irishenglish
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 04:30 PM

Well Done....pint of Guinness for Guest! Mr. Lunny indeed!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 04:44 PM

That would be the most expensive pint EVER for you if it had to travel so you're excused... thank you anyway... ;o)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: quokka
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:11 AM

Show of Hands do a beautiful version of this song

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: ard mhacha
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:18 AM

Emmett spiceland No1 version, go to YT for proof.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST,machree01
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 12:53 PM

Here is Emmett Spiceland Group singing Mary From Dungloe, the best version, they had a No. 1 in the Irish charts 1968.

    http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=4lSYk4v1wk0

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 05:06 PM

Machree they were one of the best folk groups ever, that Mary from Dungloe recording will always be No1.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST,lizzy195
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 11:13 PM

ANTHONY KEARNS SANG THIS SONG ON THE PBS SPECIAL IN AUG. OF 2006..SOOO VERY BEAUTIFUL !!I HAD THE DVD BUT CANT FIND IT ..IT WAS DONE IN NEW YORK BUT TAPED IN IRELAND..

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:28 PM

There's an article about Emmet-Spiceland at Irish-Showbands.com. (Note the web site is inconsistent about how to spell Emmet/Emmett.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 08:12 AM

It is spelt "Dungloe" but pronounced "Dunloe"My Irish cousins who were born and bred there ,will confirm!

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Nov 22 - 06:36 PM

Joe - do cleanup

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Nov 22 - 06:40 PM

You think Joe will pay any attention? ;>)

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: Felipa
Date: 21 Nov 22 - 07:14 PM

what needed to be cleaned, Joe?

---

Just little things, combining threads, deleting blank messages, putting titles on lyrics in ALLCAPS, putting ADD and the song title in the title of messages. Stuff like that.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: pattyClink
Date: 22 Nov 22 - 11:03 AM

Just want to say I'm glad Felipa sang this for us, I had a long lost version on tape that I loved, and did not even know it was by Emmett Spiceland group, now I've learned a bit about their history. They seem to have been ignored on this side of the pond compared to more promoted groups.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST,Joe Tomrud
Date: 25 Nov 22 - 07:58 AM

Emmet Spiceland were an amalgamation of the Emmet and Spiceland folk groups, and when they recorded they comprised of English born brothers Brian and Michael Byrne and the boul' Dónal Lunny from Newbridge in County Kildare. Brian Byrne took the lead vocals on "Mary from Dungloe.

Note Emmet is spelled with one "t", as in the surname of the patriot Robert Emmet, executed in 1803.

Brian Byrne later made a solo album "Brian Byrne" on Hawk Records (HALP 105), and I would love to get a digital copy of it!

Little known fact department; In 1989 a band called Marxman was founded in London, and among it's members was Oisín Lunny (son of Dónal) and Michael Byrne (AKA (MC) Hollis) son of (one of) the Byrnes. Their album "33 Revolutions per Minute" is bloody good, but might scare some of the more delicate members of the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: pattyClink
Date: 25 Nov 22 - 10:24 AM

Thanks, Mr. T! Great background info.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 02:15 PM

Christy Moore said the song ,as a folksong, was "rescued" by himself and Donal lummey from a twee country and western dance- hall arrangement had been used in the fifties.

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: pattyClink
Date: 28 Nov 22 - 03:10 PM

That's great to know too, but, I'm afraid Daniel O'Donnell has since recaptured the castle!

Subject: RE: Origins: Mary from Dungloe
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 16 Dec 22 - 01:34 PM

I met Brian Byrne in Mooney's Pub, in Ring, Co.Waterford, many years ago and he said that he intended going to live in Montpelier, France. Wonder if he is still living there ?