ADD: Song for the Mira (Allister MacGillivray)^^^

Subject: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 20 Dec 96 - 10:30 PM

I seek the words to "Song for the Mira" by Allister MacGillivray.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Pete Dauncey Town Crier Bromyard
Date: 24 Dec 96 - 04:32 PM

Out on the Mira on warm afternoons
Old men go fishing with hook line and spoon
And if they catch nothing they never complain
Oh I wish I was with them again

Chorus
Can you imagine a piece of the universe more fit for Princes or Kings?
I'll trade you ten of your cities
For Marion(?)bridges and the pleasure it brings

Boys in the boats call to girls on the shore
Teasing the ones they dearly adore
And into the evening the courting begins
Oh I wish I was with them again
Ch.

Now I'm returning ?????? night
Bonfire fires burn to the children's delight
They dance round the flames singing songs with their friends
Soon I'll be with them again
CH.

Xmas eve can't remember all the words Merry Christmas!#*

Will come back****

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Pete `O` Bromyard
Date: 25 Dec 96 - 11:21 AM

J Harvey Now it is Christmas Day in UK Far from sober the missing words are

First line should be Out on the Mira on warm summer nights bonfires blaze etc.

Happy new yesr!!!!!

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Dec 96 - 09:17 PM

Hi- thanx for the lyric. I could have sworn we had this one, but we didn't. Now we do.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jul 97 - 12:12 AM

I've wondered about this song - I've heard recordings by Gordon Bok and Anne Murray. Where, or what, is the Mira? How about Marion Bridge? Can anyone tell us the story behind this song? -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Karen Castelein
Date: 18 Jul 97 - 01:02 AM

Correction to the first line: "black line and spoon" Corr. to line 4: "Marion Bridge" (The bridge is located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and goes over the Mira River.) Corr. To line 5: "As boys in their boats call to girls on the shore, teasin'...into the" Verse 3: Out on the Mira on soft summer nights bonfires blaze to the childrens' delight. They dance 'round the flames singing songs with their friends. I wish I was with them again. Verse 4: And over the ashes the stories are told of witches and werewolves and Oak Island gold. Stars on the river face sparkle and spin. I wish I was with them again. Verse 5: Out on the Mira the people are kind. They treat you to home brew and help you unwind. And if you come broken they'll see that you mend. I wish I was with them again. Verse 6: Now I'll conclude with a wish you go well. Sweet be your dreams and yur happiness swell. I'll leave you here for my journey begins: I'm going to be with them again.

These lyrics are by Allister MacGillivray in an arangement by Stuart Calvert, copyright 1975 and 1986 by CABOT TRAIL MUSIC, Mississauga, Ontario.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 18 Jul 97 - 11:54 AM

And a lovely stretch indeed is the Mira River, with kingfishers, bald eagles, etc. Marion Bridge is not just the bridge itself, but the name of the village there. My brother lives at Mira Gut, downriver from Marion Bridge, where the river meets Mira Bay (which is mentioned in Cape Breton Lullaby.)

Subject: Lyr Add: SONG FOR THE MIRA (A MacGillivray)^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jul 97 - 03:01 PM

SONG FOR THE MIRA
by Allister MacGillivray, 1979
Cabot Trail Music, R.R. #2, Marion Bridge, Cape Breton, N.S. BOA 1PO

Out on the Mira on warm afternoons
Old men go fishing with black line and spoons,
And if they catch nothing they never complain,
And I wish I was with them again.

As boys in the boats call to girls on the shore,
Teasing the ones that they dearly adore,
And into the evening the courting begins,
And I wish I was with them again.

[Chorus] Can you imagine a piece of the universe
More fit for princes and kings?
I'll trade you ten of your cities For Marion Bridge
And the pleasure it brings.

Out on the Mira on soft summer nights
Bonfires blaze to the children's delight
They dance round the flames singing songs with their friends,
And I wish I was with them again.

And over the ashes the stories are told
Of witches and werewolves and Oak Island gold.
Stars on the riverface sparkle and spin.
I wish I was with them again.
[Chorus]

Out on the Mira, the people are kind -
They'll treat you to homebrew, and help you unwind.
And if you come broken they'll see that you mend.
I wish I was with them again.
[Chorus]

Now I'll conclude with a wish you go well.
Sweet be your dreams, and your happiness swell.
I'll leave you here for my journey begins,
I'm going to be with them again.
[Chorus]^^ (Oct 98 DT)

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Kiwi
Date: 19 Jul 97 - 08:16 PM

I missed the chance to sing "Song For the Mira" by one year - the women's choir at my high school sang it this year, and I was in women's choir _last_ year! And the arrangement that our choir director used is absolutely gorgeous.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 11 Oct 97 - 05:54 PM

This beautiful song is now on my gig sheet. I have a version of it done by the Garrison Brothers. It's on the same tape ("The Sounds of Nova Scotia") that was mentioned in the Bluenose thread.

.....Tiger

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 13 Sep 98 - 10:17 PM

Yippee, I found this in the threads. I've only heard this song once but it's haunted me ever since.

Can anyone post the tune please?

Joe, it appears that you have utterly mastered html these days.

Regards John

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: ron k
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 11:04 PM

Sorry John, but I checked everywhere I could think of and couldn't find the tune to the song on the net. Send me your e-mail address to [e-mail] and I will write out the melody and e-mail it to you.

As for the Mira, it is the longest river in Cape Breton. It is situated about 20 miles south of Sydney. I spent many a time getting kicked out of campgrounds along the river, in my younger days. (Usually for singing too loud, or perhaps off key in the wee hours of the morning.) Like Tim has stated, Marion Bridge is a community that grew up around one of the bridges that cross the river. If you ever get to Cape Breton, try to spend at least one day and night on the Mira. It really is a piece of the universe more fit for princes and kings.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Sep 98 - 10:10 PM

refresh, sorry I don't know how to do the link thing, even if you (Joe) walked me through it. Barry

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 20 Sep 98 - 05:50 PM

I will ask on the Cape Breton list if anyone has the ABC's for this. It is still under copyright, though. I am not yet well enough versed in ABC's to do it myself, although I know the tune very well.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Lil
Date: 20 Sep 98 - 11:37 PM

How do people feel about changing the tense of verbs in songs? The refrain line is:

"And I wish I was with them again."

It correct grammar says it should be, "And I wish I were with them again"

I suppose one can sing it however one wishes, but if I'm writing out the words for others to sing along, would it be wrong to correct the verb?

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Sep 98 - 12:09 AM

Hi, Lil - I typed it "was" because that was what was in my source (and Anne Murray and Gordon Bok sing it that way) I'm a stickler for grammar, myself, so I sing it "were." There are times when grammatical errors in a song convey a "local" feel to a song, but I don't think that's the case here.
I've been pronouncing the name of the song wrong, though - it's "MY-ra."
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 21 Sep 98 - 07:13 PM

You sticklers for grammar and diction should stay away from blues songs and sea shanties, then. You'll soon run out of red ink.

I am having difficulty understanding why it is wrong to say "I wish I was". I wish I was a Teddy Bear. I wish I was in Kerrickfergus. I wish I was in possession of my Fowler's at this moment.

I understand that the new OED has relaxed the rules of grammar and usage, no doubt to be in keeping with Cool Brittania and young princes in baseball caps. I must get a copy.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Sep 98 - 07:20 PM

We'll have to sentence you to a semester of Subjunctives 1A, Mr. Jaques. Maybe you've been listening to too many Neil Diamond records.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 21 Sep 98 - 07:25 PM

Speaking of the Mira, and Cape Breton, Celtic Colours is coming up soon. Anyone going? I understand that besides the usual Cape Breton fiddlers and singers, Archie Fisher will be there. I suppose that somewhere on the Internet the whole shebang is posted.

Too warm here in Canada's banana belt to be thinking about fall colours on maple trees. This is probably the hottest and longest summer we have had since I moved here. Every cloud has its silver lining, and global warming is no exception. I like to look on the positive side of these matters. The folks who sell ice cream and cold beer have to make a living too.

I understand though that fall is well underway down on the Cape, and it was certainly cold enough in the mornings when I was in New Brunswick last month.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 21 Sep 98 - 07:33 PM

How about, "I wish that I was a Teddy Bear", then? But it doesn't scan right.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Ron K
Date: 22 Sep 98 - 08:18 PM

I was hoping that Celtic Colors will be going on when I'm on the Cape next week. The problem with living on the mainland of NS is that you don't find out what or when something is going on in Cape Breton until you get there. I guess they never did finish that communication link over the Causeway. I guess it was built for going away.

Subject: Tune Add: SONG FOR THE MIRA (Allister MacGillivray
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 03:21 PM

Thanks to Ron Keel, we finally have a tune for this song. Like I said, thanks, Ron.
-Joe Offer-

---

Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net

ABC format:

X:1
T:Out On The Mira
M:3/4
Q:1/4=120
K:D
A2D2D2|GF3D2|B2G2GA|-A6|A6|-A2E2E2|FD3D2|
G2F3D|E5A|A2D2D2|GF3D2|BG3G2|A4A2|dA3F2|GF3E2|
F3ED2|E4A2|A2D2D2|GF3D2|B2G2GA|-A6|A6|-A2E2E2|
FD3D2|G2F3D|E5A|A2D2D2|GF3D2|BG3G2|A4A2|dA3F2|
GF3E2|D6|-D6|B6|-B2B2B2|B2A2G2|A2A3A|A2G2F2|
G2G3G|F2E2D2|E6|B2B2B2|B3AG2|AA4A|A2G2F2|
E4EE|EF3^G2|A11/2||

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 05:40 PM

That's it all right, although I think there is one note too many. The proper name is Song For The Mira.

But why do ABC's play so slow? I put the tempo of this up to 250 before it sounded like the pace it is usually sung at. It isn't just this one. Most ABC's I've played so far sound too slow to my ear, and I have to change the tempo. Are they supposed to be slow so that you can pick up the tune note by note?

Or am I just a naturally frantic, hyperactive man who projects his overactive character onto everything he sees and hears?:)

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 07:48 PM

I finally tracked down the original score last night. Thanks to Ron for doing the work of transcription to Midi.

For the record the copyright attribution is:

Words and Music by Allister MacGillivray
Copyright 1975 by CABOT TRAIL MUSIC, Mississauga, Ontario.

And for Tim's paranoia about tempo, the arranger (in this case Stuart Calvert) suggests Allegretto with a tempo of 120 - 126 quarter beats per minute, (you know those solid dots with a single tail, three to the bar in 3/4 time). It would take someone more musically advanced to advise whether Tim is spot on with his suggested tempo of 250, or that Tim is really that hyped up.

Regards
John

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 08:12 PM

It does sound a bit slow, Tim. Part of that, I think, is a flaw in the way MIDITXT makes ABC's from Noteworthy MIDI's. Alan Foster has promised to fix that for us, but unfortunately he gets distracted at times - I think he works for a living, or something. 250 is way too fast, though.
There are parts of the tune that don't sound the same as the tune I know - anybody got any corrections?
Say, John, as an Australian, are you allowed to say "quarter beats"? I thought all you folks down there were kind of crotchety about stuff like that.
....Yeah, I know, it's not up to the high standards of humor that Art Thieme has set for us, but at least I tried...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 23 Sep 98 - 09:53 PM

Yes Joe, because my wife had a classical music training and came from a family with a shearing background, I naturally assume that when she says "crotchet" she really means the process of preventing sheep's' arses from becoming infected with blow-fly maggots during our hot summers. Quaver to me means some form of modulation of the voice, usually associated with some form of excitement, not necessarily carnal.

To avoid this sort of confusion I have resorted to the nomenclature used in US based notation packages. Like many Australians I am most concerned about the subjugation of our language and culture from overseas (largely US) influences - but quarter notes etc are eminently more logical, and even members of the Queen's Commonwealth are likely to understand the lingo.

Cheers
John

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Ron K
Date: 24 Sep 98 - 08:31 AM

Joe you don't have to answer that e-mail. I just got the answer to my question.

The version I wrote on Notewothy is how I hear the original version of the song, that one done by the cast of the "Rise and Follies Of Cape Breton Island" circa 1977-1979. This stage show, which has since elvolved into the "Cape Breton Summertime Revue" is a celebration of Cape Breton music and humour. Back in the late 70's Allister's wife, Beverly, and Raylene Rankin, of the Rankin Family were featured.

If anyone is interested, I also have the lyrics availabe in French and Gaelic.

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 24 Sep 98 - 05:22 PM

I have that LP, and it is where I first heard the song. It's by the Steel City Players, but I can't recall who sings it on that LP. Someone who sounds like one of the Rankin women, but who isn't one of the Rankin women. I didn't see the show that year although I did see a production when it was still The Rise And Follies.

Maybe I have my ABC program set up wrong. Everything sounds too slow. I'm new at this. For instance, some of the dances on Bruce O's page sound extremely slow. When I triple the speed they sound more like dances, or something that Ashley MacIsaac might play. Maybe people were more patient back then. I'm told that I sing sea shanties way too fast, and that no sailor could ever work at the pace I'd set if I was shantyman. Maybe it really is just my hurried, impatient personality. Pass that shaker of valium, please.:)

Subject: French Lyrics: Song for the Mira
From: Genie
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 03:30 PM

Ron K,
Can you post the French lyrics to this song, please?

BTW, folks, are you sure that the bridge to this song uses the phrase "...princes and kings?" That is the way I remember hearing it (sung by a kilt-clad guy whose name was something like "Bobby Bare" but probably just a similar name), but the Seattle Song Circle folks do the song all the time and they sing "...prophets and kings." I'd like to clear up this discrepancy before introducing this song to one of my Portland song circles.

Thanks, Genie

Subject: Lyr Add: AU BORD D'LA MIRA
From:
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 05:05 PM

GEnie, I assume you mean the Chorus. Joe has it correct in his posting, which was harvested into the DT.

I don't have the complete French version in the new book, Songs For the Mira, which came out last year. The original one had the complete song in English, French and Gaelic. The current book includes a lot more songs, but for Song For the Mira, it only has the first two verses and chorus in the French, Gaelic, Dutch and Mi'kmaq translations. Of course the complete song in English.

AU BORD D'LA MIRA
Translation by Mlle. Marie-Noelle Maillard

Au bord d'la Mira les beaux jours d'ete,
La de vieux pecheurs ont lance leurs lignes.
Mais s'ils n'attrapent n'en jamais ne se plaignent,
Voudrais encor' etre avec eux.
 
Du bateau le gars font signe a leurs belles
Sur le doux rivage leurs jouent mille tours.
Et c'est elles qu'ils courtisent jusques a la nuit
Voudrais encor' etre avec eux.
 
Chorus
Peut-on s'imaginer un coin de l'univers
Mieux fait pour princes et rois.
Je donnerai dix de vos villes pour le Pont Marion
Et le plaisir qu'il donne ...

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 05:14 PM

I think it was originally prophets and kings...I lived in Newfoundland about the time it came out and that is how I remember it...at least there. It is in a beautiful part of the world to be sure. mg

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: Genie
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 05:27 PM

George, Thanks for the French lyrics.

The way I have heard the song sung, it seems to have a bridge (used between verses 2 and 3 and again between 4 and 5), not a chorus. I say that because the song ends on the verse (in which the melody is resolved).

I have a friend who ends the song on "...Marion Bridge and the pleasure it brings," and even he always has a look on his face that says "This is kind of a funny place in the melody to end a song."

And Mary, thanks for clarifying that "prophets/princes" thing.

Genie

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 08 Mar 03 - 11:33 PM

Weird. I don't know if I had a corrupted copy of the tunes from the Spring 2002 DT, but it seems to be missing a few tunes here and there, as I get a "Tune not found" once in a while, but the tune for this song in the DT, STOPS abruptly. It stops in the third line at the word "for"! Weird or what?!

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From: mg
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 12:15 AM

wow..take a look at this..ifrom the First Nations...

click here

---

Sule’katike’l (Out on the Mira) Sule’katike’l ta’n te’s welikiskîkl Out on the Mira on beautiful days Kisiku’k ekwitam’tijik te’sikiskîk Elders fish daily Aq mu koqoey ne’patu’tikw And if they catch nothing Mu talite’tmi’tikw They think nothing of it Ksatmukk ap kisi-tkweyaq I wish I were with them again L’pa’tu’sk wikuma’tiji e’pite’sk Young men call out to the young girls Ki’kajeiwa’tiji ta’n kesala’tiji Teasing the ones they are fond of Aq elmi-wla’kwe’l metaseiwa’tiji And into the evening the courting begins Ksatmukk ap kisi-tkweya’q I wish I were with them again Chorus: Tami we’jitutesk ta’n tetutki’k musikisk Where would you find anywhere in this Universe Tepi-klu’lk wjit eleke’wijik That is fit for kings Iknmulikk metla’sîkl kjikanl I’d give you ten cities Wjit Marion Bridge aq tel-wlkawek For Marion Bridge and the good feelings it brings Sule’katike’l ta’n te’s sankewi-wla’kw Out on the Mira during mild evenings Maljewe’jk welaptmi’tij nu’te’nmaqn The young ones love to watch a bonfire Kiwkto’qa’lukutijik aq ketapekia’tijik They dance around and sing Ksatmukk ap kisi-tkweyaq I wish I were with them again Ke’sk kiwkto’qopia’tijik aq a’tukutijik As they sit around and tell stories A’tukwalut ki’kwa’ju aq wikulatmu’j About Wolverine and Little Forest People Kloqoejk wen’ju’jaqma’tijik sipuk Stars look at their reflection in the river Ksatmukk ap kisi-tkweyaq I wish I were with them agian Sule’katike’l ta’nek welmîtu’tijik Out on the Mira people are so kind Nqana’multaqq wnpimuow kisiknaq They’ll treat you to homebrew when it’s set Aq nmi’sk na’tal jilein apoqnmultaqq And if you are ailing they’ll see that you mend Ksatmukk ap kisi-tkweyaq I wish I were with them again Ke’sk nike’ mu maja’siw Now before I leave Etawey wlo’ti I ask for peace Wl-pua’tinew aq wlqatmu’tinew And that you have good dreams and happiness Naqluloq nike’ miamuj poqtamka’si I leave you now for I must part Mîta naji-tkweyaqik, naji-tkweyaqik, ‘Cause I’m going to be with them, going to be with them, Mîta naji-tkweyaqik nike’ ‘Cause I’m going to be with them again Translation and performance (c)opyright 2001 Dr. Bernie Francis

Subject: RE: Song for the Mira
From:
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 09:18 AM

Mary, that is SO cool! I'll pass it on to Allister. Wonder if he knows of this web-page yet?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song for the Mira (Allister MacGillivray)
From: OtherDave
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 10:31 PM

YouTube has a bunch of choirs singing it, along with this version by Brendan Grace. There's set-up, an erroneous reference to Newfoundland, and a goof, but if you advance to about 1:40 you'll get the song.

And another version, this time by John McDermott.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song for the Mira (Allister MacGillivray)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 09:16 AM

Under John McDermott's YouTube clip above someone states in the uploader comments:
"Woahhhh he pronounces mira soooo awkwardly... our choir does it a different..."
John pronounces "Mira" perfectly! He has spent a lot of time on Cape Breton and knows of what he sings. It begs the question of how this person commenting pronounces it or the choir for that matter?
( my-rah not meer-ah is correct!)
Brendan Grace tells about being there in Newfoundland. Sorry Brendan but you were on the wrong island!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song for the Mira (Allister MacGillivray)
From: Joe MacGillivray
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 09:45 PM

Are the Gàidhlig lyrics available? I can't seem to find them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song for the Mira (Allister MacGillivray)
From: meself
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 10:47 PM

I like that "Stars look at their reflection in the river" in the Dr Bernie Francis translation - although I have no doubt it is even more poetic in the "original".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song for the Mira (Allister MacGillivray)
From: Joe MacGillivray
Date: 25 Oct 19 - 09:53 AM

Refresh. Looking for the Gàidhlig lyrics. It would be greatly appreciated.