Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more

Subject: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 03:03 AM

No, not a Yorkshire song, it was supposed to be 'now that Kerry is no more'.

I'm looking for the words to this song, of which I remember only a fragment. It's a lament (probably Irish, but you never know) for a minstrel who died.

'And who will sing this song for me,
Now that Kerry is no more'.

I remember it done by a female singer, but cannot for the life of me think who, because she isn't one of the usual suspects. It probably comes out of the 1970's/80's revival, but may be traditional. I had a recording of it, but it has gone walkies. I've checked the DT and come up with nothing.

I'll carry on looking for the tape if some nice person could help me with the other please?

Thanks

LTS

--- Thread title corrected. ---
---Jeff (PA)---

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Pene Azul
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 04:00 AM

This page has an album by The Early Birds that contains a song called "Kerry Is No More." No lyrics though.

Jeff

Subject: Lyr Add: KERRY IS NO MORE
From: nutty
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 05:54 AM

It's recorded on Graham and Eilleen Pratt's CD Early Bird

The CD is a selection of songs from two LP's
The song was originally recorded on HEIROGLYPHS and was written by Graham (1985). Other records, CD's etc. can be found HERE

KERRY IS NO MORE

The broken walls of castle halls lie scattered on the ground
The wild geese fly across the sky into the setting sun
No more we'll raise our voice in praise of heroes gone before
And who will sing us songs like these now Kerry is no more

His songs of love were shadows of the eagle o'er the glen
His song's of war could ravage more than Caesar's marching men
His songs of Death would chill the breath and drive the waves from shore
And who will sing us songs like these now Kerry is no more

And who will take the widow's pain with gentle songs of grief
Who'll reconcile the tearful child to the dying of a leaf
And who's refrain will help the men to gather in the corn
And who will sing us songs like these now Kerry is no more

The stream's cascade through forest glade he borrowed for his words
His restless tune could touch the moon upon the wings of birds
His eyes could glean as if he'd seen those heroes gone before
And who will sing us songs like these now Kerry is no more

So take his song and sing it on now darkness hides the home
Take his song and sing it 'til the tune is all your own
And as the dying fire spills it's embers on the floor
Just take his song and sing it on now Kerry is no more

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 01:08 PM

I know quite a few Cork men who would love to believe the sentiments expressed in that song, they meet Kerry to-morrow in the Munster Gaelic Football Final. Dream on Cork men. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 01:08 AM

That's the one!! Whoopee!!! Thanks chaps. I need it for a wake, and it fits the bill perfectly... now I have to learn the words!!!

And I remember now that the song before it was called the Wizard and after it was We live, we love. I suspect I bootlegged part of the Hieroglyphics LP from someone.

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 05:07 PM

And yes Kerry beat Cork,they haven`t gone away. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Orac
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 01:20 PM

I'm a bit puzzled about some replies on this... Kerry in this song is nothing to do with Kerry in Ireland. The song mourns the demise of the "troubadour" who throughout history was sometimes the only voice of protest against injustice etc. The song-writer has lumped all of these troubadours who have ever existed into a single person and called him "Kerry".
Even if we were talking about the surname "Kerry" that would not be Irish either as it originates from a small place of that name on the English/Welsh border slightly east of Newtown.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: ard mhacha
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 02:36 PM

Orac, Sorry my oul mate but I couldn`t resist a crack at my friend O`Sullivan,Great song. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 04:33 PM

Don't look at me, I didn't write it, I just want to sing it for a much loved songwriter's wake. It could be Terry for all I care, but that isn't his name. His name doesn't scan.

The eagle o'er the glen would suggest some Scottish/Northern influence....

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Orac
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 08:59 PM

I have this record.. its a great song I sang it myself some years ago... not as well as Eileen Pratt I have to say... but then not many would... she must have one of the best voices around. I haven't looked the record out from the pile but I'm sure it was written by Graham Pratt.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 Jul 01 - 09:56 PM

Graham lives in Sheffield; I'll probably see him in the pub on Wednesday.  I'll ask him about it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 10:51 PM

Graham has been away doing things over the Festival season, but I finally saw him this evening, and asked about the song.  It turns out that it was inspired by an elegiac poem by the 19th century Russian poet Mikhael Liamontov (sp), which in English would be called The Warrior's Grave, but does not directly quote from it.  The Kerry of the title is just a name plucked from the air, and has no particular connection to Ireland or anywhere else; Graham rather suspects that the name was in his mind because Kerry Packer, the Australian cricket entrepreneur, was the subject of a lot of news coverage at the time he wrote it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: paddymac
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 12:20 AM

Speaking of singing at a wake: we played our first wake tonight, for the father of my lad's lady. We always joke about being available for weddings, wakes, bar mitzvahs, divorces, and other celebratoey occasions, but this was the first time we actually played a wake. The emotional pay-off came when we saw the widow out dancing and laughing and having a good time. I had a chance to have a quiet chat with her, and was most pleased to hear her say that she couldn't imagine a better way to end the day, and that her departed would surely have enjoyed the party. The two of them came to one of our shows on "Bloom's Day" and enjoyed themselves immensely. He talked about what a good time he had right up to his passing. Sometimes the "freebies" have the greatest rewards.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Now that Kerry is no more
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 08:24 PM

I forgot to mention that I did this at Towersey, for Rod, it just fitted the occasion perfectly, and had his sister in tears..... It was a bit of an effort, following Micca's contribution as it did, but I did for Rod, and I did it well.

LTS