Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')

Subject: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 28 Oct 99 - 03:36 AM

I was watching the movie "Quiet Man" the other night and made note of the alternate lyrics used in the movie for the theme song "Isle of Innisfree".

My problem is I can't make out the Irish phrase in the last line...

Oh Innisfree, my island, I'm returning
From wasted years across the wintry sea
And when I come back to my own dear island
I'll rest awhile beside you [from a cree]

The words in brackets are where I'm having trouble (and I have the Irish words in phonetics since I don't know the language). It sounds as I have written them above. But when looking in my Irish/English dictionary, it doesn't make sense to me...

Could it be (again phonetics) "gra mo cree" (how would that phrase actually translate--when written correctly?) Or something similar in sound?

So, Irish speakers out there, any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Mary

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Oct 99 - 03:48 AM

Mary, I neither speak Irish nor do I know that song, but I know the Irish phrase "grá mo chroi" from several songs (the phonetics are fairly similar to your transcription, especially the 'cree'). I have seen it translated as "love of my heart" which makes perfect sense in the verse above.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 28 Oct 99 - 04:54 PM

Thanks Wolfgang, sure does make sense.

Can someone who speaks Irish confirm the spelling and grammar of the phrase Wolfgang suggested: "grá mo chroi" as it would be used in the lyrics I posted? This is for a project I am putting together and I want to be accurate.

Thanks again.

Mary

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: paddymac
Date: 28 Oct 99 - 05:07 PM

I'm also a non-Gaelige speaker, but from what little I do know, Wolfgang is correct. A less formal translation would be "Dear One".

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 Oct 99 - 05:07 AM

Mary, I hope some of the Irish speakers will come to make sure, but as a first reassurance look at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/8998/mo_sheamuisin.html on Áine Cooke's site. You'll find there the spelling and the translation.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 29 Oct 99 - 02:33 PM

Thanks so much Wolfgang and Paddymac! I'd say I have a definite answer with your help!

Mary

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: jtt
Date: 30 Oct 99 - 01:39 PM

a chroí = o heart mo chroí = my heart grá mo chroí = love of my heart

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 01:00 AM

thanks!

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From:
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 01:44 AM

Yo There one and all! Don't have too much time to chat, 'cos I'm knackered, and my keyboard's acting up (the computer's). However, "a chree" is indeed a coruption of the Irish "a chraoí", meaning, in this context, "my heart"; you know, "my very life", etc. Basically a term of great love. Hope this answers the general question. Happy singing Brendan. P.S. It's spelt "grá mo chraoí"

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From:
Date: 11 Mar 05 - 06:43 PM

The lyrics I want of the song Isle of Inisfree, "I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer. etc need the sheet music for it as so far playing it by ear can only find 3 chords

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: GUEST,Richard C. Curry, Seattle WA & now Oakland C
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 11:45 PM

The info below may help you track down the music:

http://www.quietmanmovieclub.com/isleofinnisfree.htm
 
Dick Farrelly and "The Isle Of Innisfree"
- a note by his son, musician, Gerard Farrelly…

. . . "The Isle Of Innisfree" was published in 1950 by Peter Maurice Music Publishing Co. Ltd.  In early 1952 Bing Crosby recorded it and subsequently it became his biggest ever UK hit. John Ford fell in love with the song and was so struck by the beauty and passion of the melody that he decided to use it as the principle musical theme of "The Quiet Man".  "The Isle Of Innisfree" almost totally dominates the sound track of the movie and is used whenever there is intense emotion or feeling.  It is first heard over the opening credits with the majestic Ashford Castle in the background at sunset. 

The song has since appeared in the soundtracks of the films – ET (1982), when a clip from "The Quiet Man" is shown, and "Distance Voices, Still Lives" (1988). "Innisfree" has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide – Joe Loss, Vera Lynn, Val Doonican, Joseph Locke, Finbar Furey and Tommy Fleming to name but a few, and endures as one of the most loved Irish songs.
So it was first published 55 years ago.
Good luck.
It is indeed a beautiful song.
I have a friend that was able to find song sheet music online that the website will transpose into any key for you, and you can print it out. I am not sure if this one is in their catalog. It does cost some money for each song.
Richard C. Curry

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 08:30 AM

Hi wolfgang, ifound a link:
http://www.reelclassics.com/Movies/QuietMan/inisfree-lyrics.htm
in the last line threr is the answer of question.


I'll rest a while beside you, gradh mochroidhe.*

* Gaelic words meaning "love of my heart"

wollfi

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: GUEST,young soloist
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 01:41 AM

Would this be acceptable for a solo competion in which popular music WAS NOT to be used?

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: artbrooks
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 02:07 AM

I suppose it would depend on your - and your professor's - definition on "popular music". It certainly isn't contemporary pop, but it is a song that is covered fairly frequently (in its various versions) by folk singers and musicians.

Subject: RE: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)
From: Genie
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 04:37 PM

Lilian, it basically is a 4-chord song, though some modulations such as 7ths or minor 7ths can add richness to the instrumentation. The basic verse uses only the 1, 4, and 5 (plus the modulations I mentioned) and the bridge adds the 2 chord (or a 7th thereof).
At least that's the way I play it and it works very well.

There's a lot more about this song, its origins, and the lyric variations here:
Origins: IIsle Of Innisfree (Richard Farrelly)

especially this post by Richard Farrelly's son Gerard.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Ma
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 10 - 04:56 PM

Does anyone have the English version of the song Siobhan on the CD The Legacy of a Quiet Man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST,Friend of the Farrelly family
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 04:50 PM

I'm sure many of you would enjoy the following from Wikipedia-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Farrelly

Sean Lynch

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST,Montague
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 07:46 AM

I just pulled out the Ouiet Man DVD & listened to Maureen O'Hara's commentary throughout. As she recollects, the specific lyrics for the film were cowriten by herself, her brother & fellow cast member[ah, memory failing - either Charlie or Jimmy FitzSimons] + director,John Ford:
♫ Oh Innisfree, my island, I'm returning
From wasted years across the wintry sea
And when I come back to my own dear island
I'll rest a while beside you, gradh mochroidhe♫ [& she confirmed it's Irish meaning:"love of my heart".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 06:46 PM

You are correct, the original song lyrics were not sung in the film. However that does not alter the fact that the melody of The Isle of Innisfree is the film's principle theme music. Incidentally I have an original 1950s sheet music of the composition as the Quiet Man film theme, published by Peter Maurice Music Co. Ltd and showing John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara on the front cover.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 03:58 PM

gra mo cree means love of my heart

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST,Gealt
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 06:27 PM

Fine rendition of 'Isle of Inishfree' on Sean Tyrrell's cd Cry of a Dreamer (LMCD 001).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST,Felicitas
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 09:15 PM

the last words of the phrase are "I'll rest awhile beside you Bromwell Creek

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST,Crimson Tide
Date: 15 Apr 10 - 05:13 PM

LYRICS USED IN THE FILM:

INTRODUCTION FOR "THE QUIET MEN"

by John Ford, Charles Fitzsimons (Maureen's Actual Husband) and Maureen O'Hara

Oh, Inisfree, my island, I'm returning
From wasted years across the wintry sea.
And when I come back to my own dear Ireland,
I'll rest a while beside you, gradh mochroidhe.*


by Dick Farrelly

I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer,
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say,
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.
And precious things are dreams unto an exile.
They take him o'er the land across the sea --
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Inisfree.

And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
Of this great city, wondrous though it be,
I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter.
I'm once again back home in Inisfree.

I wander o'er green hills through dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know.
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander --
My dear old home -- and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered.
On bended knees ,their rosary is told.

But dreams don't last --
Though dreams are not forgotten --
And soon I'm back to stern reality.
But though they pave the footways here with gold dust,
I still would choose the Isle of Inisfree.

* Gaelic words meaning "love of my heart"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Innisfree (from 'The Quiet Man')
From: GUEST,Frank Warner
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 05:35 PM

In the movie, Inisfree is spelled with one "n."

You can see the spelling on the flags at the horse race.