Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)

Subject: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: GUEST,eileen
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 05:52 PM

I thought I'd started this thread already a couple of weeks ago but apparently it didn't take. Could be I'm technically challenged..sigh.
Do so want the lyrics to the song "Rathdrum Fair". I go to the pub featured in it...and would love surprising them with the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: michaelr
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 07:26 PM

Great song... I'm surprised the lyrics haven't been posted here.

I found this page. At the bottom it says to drop Danny a line if you're interested in Mick Fitzgerald's songs.

Eileen, if you do get the lyrics, please post them here (start a Lyr. Add. thread).

Cheers,
Michael

---

Hi, Michael - it's best to add lyrics in the thread where they were requested.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 10:34 PM

I have dropped Danny the line and will post the lyrics if and when they come. Thanks for the help.
Eileen

Subject: Lyr Add: RATHDRUM FAIR (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: GUEST,eileen....not quite what i remembered
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 01:08 AM

(not quite what I remembered but more than I had a few days ago)


RATHDRUM FAIR
(Mick Fitzgerald)

I rose and tasted the first breath of spring
The mist from the grassy land rising
I set to my grey mare and saddled for the road
While the green hills the sun was caressing
Saw the next of the blackbird as she took to the air
Setting off in the direction of Rathdrum Fair
I come with the dawn bringing silver to buy
Hoping wits and good fortune will aid me

I rode with the sun, took my feet to an inn
Where the talk was all livestock and memories
Where old tales were traded for new ones in turn
Where the pipes would lament into the day-o
Where the faces were old but the eyes they were good
They knew the money in your pocket and they'd have it if they could
Where the clowns and the street sellers wandered around
Where the fiddler was lost in the noise of the crowd

And when business is done you'll adjourn for a dram
And drink maybe well into the day-o
But when twilight comes near you will drink your last beer
And set up your goods to take away-o
And the old mare will stumble and bite at the wind
While you sleep in the saddle with your collar turned in
And the year will grow old as the traders have gone
And the blackbird will follow the heat of the sun


Copyright Mick Fitzgerald, 1980 Hup-Jack Music

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 10:40 PM

Thanks, Eileen! I love this song.

Any Catters know Mick Fitzgerald?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 16 Feb 03 - 01:21 AM

Mick is a great singer/songwriter from Dublin...the Navan Road. I first met Mick at Slattery's in Capel St. My favorite song by Mick is "DrinK"...

It's for drink, drink, the country's on the brink
We know man's life isn't long, sir
But time has past and if you fill my glass
I'll paint a bit of Dublin in a song, sir,
I'll paint a bit of Dublin in a song

The only album I know of that Mick appears on is "The Wild Geese In Full Flight". He sings 2 of his own songs on this album..."I'll Remember You That Way" being one of them...another great song. I haven't seen him is close to 10 years. I assume he's still going strong.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: Declan
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 12:20 PM

I've known Mick for a long time, but I haven't seen him lately. I gather he hasn't been around the scene as much as he used to be back in the 70s and 80s, but maybe our paths just haven't crossed. He is a great song writer who never quite got the exposure he deserved to a wider audience. I have a number of his songs in my repertoire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: RATHDRUM FAIR
From: Taconicus
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 12:13 PM

Some minor differences from (and one definite correction to) the lyrics as Eileen posted them above, as I remember (and sing) the song:

Where the green hills the sun... (Where)
Saw the nest of the blackbird... (nest)
And the fiddler was lost... (And)
And you'll drink maybe well... (you'll)
And you'll pack up your goods... (you'll pack)
And the year will grow old when the traders... (when)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: Taconicus
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 12:56 PM

Hey, did I say where up there? My mistake. While/when/as the green hills the sun was caressing sounds just fine to me. And anyway, my above notes were just my memory of the song, not saying what lyrics are correct. I haven't seen the lyrics as written by Fitzgerald himself, and when I heard him sing it I couldn't make out what the lyric was--it sounded like was or 'twas.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: Taconicus
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 01:03 PM

BTW, if anyone's interested, Rathdrum (Irish Celtic, Ráth Droma, meaning "Ringfort of the Ridge") is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: GUEST,ancailin
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 04:27 PM

The words of RF as written by Mick are available on his first (of 3) CDs, "Light Sleeper". He has changed the last line to "...the blackbird WON'T follow..."

Subject: Lyr Add: RATHDRUM FAIR (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 11:57 PM

You can hear Mick Fitzgerald singing RATHDRUM FAIR at YouTube. Here's what I think he's singing:


RATHDRUM FAIR
(Mick Fitzgerald)

I rose and tasted the first breath of spring,
The mist from the grassy land rising.
I set to my grey mare and saddled for the road
Whilst the green hills the sun was caressing,
Saw the nest of the blackbird as she took to the air
Setting off in the direction of Rathdrum Fair.
I come with the dawn bringing silver to buy,
Hoping wits and good fortune will aid me.

I ride with the sun, took my feet to an inn,
Where the talk was all livestock and memories,
Where old tales were traded for new ones in turn,
Where the pipes would lament into the day-o,
Where the faces were old but the eyes they were good.
They knew the money in your pocket and they'd have it if they could.
Where the clowns and the street sellers wandered around
And the fiddler was lost in the noise of the crowd.

And when business is done you'll adjourn for a dram
And drink maybe well into the day-o,
But when twilight comes near you will drink your last beer
And set up your goods to take away-o,
And the old mare will stumble and bite at the wind,
While you sleep in the saddle with your collar turned in,
And the year will grow old when the traders have gone,
For the blackbird won't follow the heat of the sun.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: GUEST,Eileen
Date: 22 Oct 12 - 07:53 AM

Would love to know if " I arrived with the sun at the old Phelan's Inn" could have been part of it...as there is a pub down this way called that , near Ballinaclash

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: GUEST,Mick Fitzgerald
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 07:27 PM

The Lyrics above are pretty close to the song i wrote...Its been recorded by many people so the lyrics have changed all on their own...xx Mick Fitzgerald.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Apr 15 - 06:56 PM

Hi my name is Mick Fitzgerald and i am the writer of "Rathdrum Fair" and many other songs. Check "All our Trades are Gone" recorded (Twice) by June Tabor...see Youtube as well for it and Rathdrum Fair. I have spent a few years acting on stage and TV in Ireland although i have just finished a Play in London. I am about to release my fifth solo CD available with the others through "Claddagh Records" at www.claddaghrecords.com my own website is www.mickafitzgerald.com and in Germany www.mickafitzgerald.de. I am doing more now then i ever did. Much Thanks,Mick.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathdrum Fair (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 05 Oct 20 - 06:49 AM

Mick Fitzgerald (1951-2016)

Mick Fitzgerald was born in Dublin and started entertaining at an early age. He was an established recording artist with several credits for singer/songwriter. He was also credited with writing music for several film projects. He has appeared in many films and TV programmes over the years both in Britain and Ireland.

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