The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #65669 Message #1083512
Posted By: GUEST,Henryp
31-Dec-03 - 06:16 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: help me find a 5 minute recitation
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: help me find a 5 minute recitation
The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes.
THE wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding — Riding — riding — The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.
Full words available on the web. Recorded by several singers.
Andy Irvine says; Okay, a lot of people have recorded this old classic poem before me. I think Phil Ochs was the first and I, myself, played on a version of Danny Doyle's back in the Eighties. A couple of years ago, I was asked to play on a version being recorded by Loreena McKennitt, the Canadian Singer and Harpist. She sent me a demo cassette and we met in Dublin but, unfortunately our schedules didn't allow that we should meet in the studio. I was much taken with her tune and started doing the song myself. I think I've changed the odd word here and there and I hope the Shade of Alfred Noyes will forgive me. At least, Alfred, this is the first complete recorded version of your poem as a song-(to my knowledge..)