Lyr Add: Black Dodder Flowing (Mick Fitzgerald)

Subject: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Susan A-R
Date: 13 Mar 99 - 08:30 PM

Years ago I heard a recording of a song, the only line of which I remember is "And the sound (song) of the Blackdaughter Flowing. Anyone know anything more about this song, what has become of Danny C, etc?

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Also see this thread

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Barbara
Date: 13 Mar 99 - 11:54 PM

I'll bet that's "The Black Dodder" by Mick Fitzgerald, found on Danny's CD Journeys of the Heart. You can order it from him, as I did at 725 Pomona Ave., Albany CA, 94706 ($15).
He is no longer with Robin Petrie, but is still making lots of music around the SF Bay Area.
Did you want a transcription of the words, too, Susan?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Susan A-R
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 12:01 AM

Yes please. The melody is still with me, although I heard the song (or a fragment of it) about 9 years ago. Glad to hear the Danny is still making music, although I'm about as far from the Bay Area as you can get. Thanks for the address.

Susan

Subject: ADD: The Black Dodder (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: Barbara
Date: 14 Mar 99 - 02:32 PM

Here you go, Susan, but I had trouble understanding some of the words, so you've got my best guess. The first word of the song has an 'oo' sound to it, rather than 'Oh', but I can't hear any consonants, so -- guess.
Dunno about the swan, what it's doing in the second line, but I can't think of anything else that sounds like that. Robin sings half the verse each time, and they sing harmony on the chorus. A beautiful song, but hard to understand their words. Robin may have said 'I'd' in the last verse, but maybe not.
Took me several tries to even get the chorus; I'd thought originally the third line was "For seasons are lonely; a person is all/That you hope..."
Enjoy! And if you want to guess for yourself, I recommend the CD, it's a good 'un.
Blessings,
Barbara

THE BLACK DODDER
(by Mick Fitzgerald)

Oh,(New? Cruel?) springtime comes; the rain in the morning
And the swan's (?) changing view -- scattered weeds blowing;
And I am your stranger, to chance without warning
On the song of the black Dodder flowing;

CHORUS:
Oh, spring rushes on and leaves you;
And trees will be green while they stand
For seasons are only a verse in your song
That you hold for a while in your hand.

She flows like a water both easy and free
Over the secrets well hidden from me;
And riches and houses keep growing; keep growing;
Soon they'll bow to the black Dodder flowing;

I stood for a while but she turned for the sea,
Saw the wind reach and touch her, before turning to me;
And I('d) walked along with her without ever knowing
The song of the black Dodder's flowing;

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Barbara
Date: 26 Mar 99 - 02:47 PM

refresh

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK DODDER FLOWING (Mick Fitzgerald)
From: Declan
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 05:36 AM

Found this thread in the unanswered requests permathread. I've tried to tidy up Barbara's posting which wasn't too far off the mark in the first place. I used to know Mick fairly well at one stage, but I haven't seen him in a long time. The version below mightn't be word perfect, but its how I remember hearing Mick singing it on many occasions in pubs like Slattery's The Meeting Place and O Donoghues in Dublin.

The Dodder is the river that flows under the well known Balls Bridge in Dublin.


BLACK DODDER FLOWING
(by Mick Fitzgerald)

1. Springtime had come with the rain in the morning
And the swans changing plume, scattered reeds blowing,
And I a mere stranger, I chanced without knowing
On the song of the black Dodder flowing.

CHORUS: Spring rushes on and leaves you,
And trees will be green while they stand,
For seasons are only a verse in your song
That you hold for a while in your hand.

2. She moves like a woman that's fancy and free,
A woman with secrets well hidden from me,
And bridges and houses keep growing, keep growing.
Soon they'll bow to the black Dodder flowing.

3. Oh, I stood for a while where she turns for the sea,
Saw the wind reach and touch her, before turning to me;
And I walked along with her without ever knowing
The song of the black Dodder flowing.

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Declan
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 07:08 AM

Correction. The first line of the last verse should read

I stood for a while where she turned for the sea

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: GUEST,spikethegrate
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 08:11 AM

Anybody have chords to Casswell and Carnahan's song, Borderlands? I have all the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 05:09 AM

It's a lovely walk from Sandymount to Balls Bridge along the Dodder, past the famous Lansdowne Road RFC. Have a jar or two in the hotel, and wander back,arm in arm with the girl you loved.
Not lyrics I'm afraid, but a personal, and sad/happy memory.

Giok

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Dave Swan
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 08:10 PM

Danny's a pal and I'm happy to refer you to Danny's website for the latest on what he's up to.
D

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Dave Swan
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 08:13 PM

...and many of his lyrics.

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Cluin
Date: 12 Jan 03 - 11:50 PM

Thanks for the link. Will definitely check it out.

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Dave Swan
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:17 PM

I just spoke with Danny and introduced him to the Mudcat. I wouldn't be surprised if he checked in soon.
D

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Cluin
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 12:05 AM

I thought he'd been here before...

Subject: RE: Danny Carnahan song and . . .
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 May 20 - 03:43 PM

thread needs some cleanup