Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)

Subject: Lyr Add: Grace OMalley- Granuaile by Cathy Ryan
From: GUEST,FB
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 12:14 PM

GRACE O'MALLEY

Written by Cathy Ryan and John Doyle

Now in sailor's clothes Grannuaile did go
A bold sea captain from top to toe
Her clans and children were the greatest care of
Grace O'Malley
Grace O'Malley whom never did despair

Her trade was maintenanced by land and sea
200 loyal men were her army
No other captain was so skilled or brave as
Grace O'Malley
Grace O'Malley who ruled the stormy waves

[melody instrumental]

They had not saileth far from Clew Bay
When she spied a vessel bound for Galway
"Those are sea merchants!" Granua duid cry and
Granuaile
Granuaile will stop that ship or die

They stopped that ship and took it's store
She returned to old Erin's shore
With Spanish brandy she walked along with
Did Granuaile, who sweetly sang a song (not totally sure about these two lines)

[Spanish flamenco instrumental]

Queen Elizabeth did once suggest
That she would make Grace a countess
"Oh no" said Grace, "That would never do for
Grace O'Malley
For Grace O'Malley is as great a queen as you."

A queen uncommon by land and sea
Her strength commandeth fierce loyalty
Her wealth provideth for many's the clans of
Grace O'Malley
Grace O'Malley, sea woman of Ireland

Cathy Ryan, Somewhere Along the Road, 2001

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace OMalley- Granuaile
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 12:33 PM

Just found the trad tune with a similar structure... related?
http://www.contemplator.com/sea/fsmugglr.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace OMalley- Granuaile
From: Elettra
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 01:07 PM

Cathie and John had set out to record the original trad version but were not crazy about the lyrics. Cathie wrote these and John worked them into the trad melody.
E.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace OMalley- Granuaile
From: MartinRyan
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 07:51 PM

"original trad version"? What was that, I wonder?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 07:28 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: terrier
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 09:35 PM

I listened to the link and the 'trad tune' seems to be, as far as I can remember, the tune used for 'The Dark Eyed Sailor', but I can't see at the moment how it's connected with the Granny Mallie story.
The Shaun Davey 'Granuaille' is a superb setting of the story with some beautiful and dynamic singing from Rita Connolly on the CD.
Although a quick search on the net brings up a plethora of references to the history of this amazing woman and her family, there seems to be little interest as far as modern songs about her and her kin. The whole story is absolutely fascinating and should be a veritable feast of information to any interested writer of historical songs. The song posted here is a good start but I would want to get away from the connection with the well known 'Dark Eyed Sailor'. More on this subject please.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: michaelr
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:11 PM

I remember seeing a bit on a recent episode of PBS's weekly "Out of Ireland" show on a stage show being developed about Granuaile.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: terrier
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:47 PM

A search on the net for GRANUAILE brings up all sorts of info. Here is the link for the Grace O'Malley web resource site. Loads of interesting stuff. I'm still wading my way through it.

Grace O'Malley

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 08:29 PM

I'm still wondering about the "original trad versioN". What was it?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: terrier
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 06:18 AM

I think Elettra is reffering to THIS broadside as the 'trad version'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 06:35 AM

OK. Not Grace O'Malley related, then. Thanks.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Grace O'Malley / Granuaile (Cathy Ryan)
From: terrier
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 07:15 AM

No, not at all.
But I think seeing the broadside was a springboard for Cathy Ryan and John Doyle to write the O'Malley song. I know it's a big jump from a song about an unamed English female smuggler/pirate to the 'Queen of Ireland' but I guess songs must come from somewhere. Maybe somone could post more details of how the song came about?