Another song transcription from the South Roscommon Singers' CD . This time, my transcription has serious gaps. If you know the song (the CD) or just have a guess at what is sung at parts where my transcription is unclear, please post them.

Wolfgang

HORSES AND PLOUGH

Oh, (?bonnie; pron.: bon me) the breezes that blow in the spring
and as sweet is the music the song thrushes bring,
but I sigh for a scene that I seldom see now,
a man in the fields with his horses and plough.

Farewell to the days of my youth long ago,
when I harnessed my team near the (?bend; pron.: bed an') below.
Then away to the highland beside (?Carrigoe ; pron.: Kerry gow)
to turn the hard green sod with horses and plough.

Invoking a blessing I started the day,
I (?earned/hadn't) another that's what I would say,
asking for guidance to keep my know how
and strike a straight furrow with horses and plough.

Then up at the headland every once in a while
I rested my body all aching with toil,
the sleeve of my shirt swept the sweat from my brow
as I gazed at the work of my horses and plough.

Whistling and lilting the words of a song
lightened my labour all the day long,
with the seagulls around me and the rooks on the bough
all searching for the bounty of horses and plough.

But the clatter of tractors, pollution and all,
has crippled the (?cobble; meaning?) and sad was his fall,
while far away (??; pron.: oh pay) we richly endow
that counting (?count in?) the value of horses and plough.
(the meaning of this verse eludes me)

Very soon I'll be called from this valley of woe,
to the fair fields of heaven I hope I will go.
One request from St. Peter I hope he'll allow:
Eternal employment with horses and plough.