Oh you guys are great! Thank you, thank you. I had found the Peter Kennedy version at the suggestion of a friend in Boston. But the history and/or background that Bobby Bob has here is really exciting. I sing a version that I heard on a tape done by Magpie Lane (an English group not the American group Magpie). Same tune as Kennedys' version-- I think.

THE SHEEP ARE 'NEATH THE SNOW

Today the deep snow fall
Last night a sharp frost
Oh the young lambs are living
But the old sheep are lost

Oh arise you my shepherds
And away to the hill
For the old sheep are dying
And the snows falling still

The master of Raby
Lay sick on his bed
With the cry of lost ewes
Lighting a fire in his head

Said the master of Raby
I am sick and alone
My sheep cry for succor
My men yield them none

I have sheep in the Laggan
I have goats at Clieau Rea
At the cliffs of Coan-y-Christey
My ewes go astray

Then out went the shepherds
In darkness and dread
And high on the mountain
They found the sheep dead

The whole flock lay smother
In a drift on the hill
And over their bodies
The snow gathered still

Said the master of Raby
My sheep cry in vain
And while I lay helpless
None headed my pain

And so they all perished
For want of your skill
And over their bodies
The snow gathered still

(Isle of Mann- original Manx Gaelic. Rec. Magpie Lane)
Ny Kirree Fo Niaghtey

You might notice in this version the sheep all died too. Wonderfully depressing. One of my favorites to sing-sometimes. Thanks again-Lorraine

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 18-Mar-02.