This song came up in an earlier thread and was posted here. It's a nice song which I learned from a recording by Curtis and Loretta on their CD "Gone Forever". Dermot Kelly is listed as the author, but I have no idea who he is or where he lives or how the song came about. When I asked Loretta, this was her reply:
"So, here's the scoop on 'Cliffs of Moher.' We learned it from a cassette tape of a woman singing and playing harp. We learned it for a wedding, and the bride had bought this tape from a woman playing and singing harp, on the Cliffs of Moher! I made a copy of the tape, or at least the song, and of course now, I'm not sure where it is. If I can find it, I'll let you know what the singer's name is!! Because of that cassette tape, we knew the song was written by Dermot Kelly. So when we decided to record it, we searched on the internet, and couldn't find ANYTHING about him! I seem to remember we did find a reference to a college professor somewhere with the same name, but we didn't think that was him. Couldn't find out anything at all. You know, there is a fiddle tune (instrumental) by the same name. But it doesn't sound at all like this song. We would like to find out about him though. If you find out anything, let us know! "
So I'd like to know, and Curtis and Loretta would also. Anybody know about Dermot Kelly or has heard the song sung by other than Curtis and Loretta?
Cheers, S. in Seattle
Thread #71657 Message #1257431
Posted By: artbrooks
16-Jul-04 - 05:42 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Skarpi needs a little help with a lyric.
Subject: Lyr Add: THE CLIFFS OF MOHER
How about this one?
THE CLIFFS OF MOHER
Lyrics & music by Dermot Kelly
I'm sitting on the cliffs of Moher
Looking out to sea
The broad Atlantic swells below me
A bridge love between you and me
The puffins cry above the tide
The seagulls glide through the air
Calling you back from New York City
Back home to the county of Clare
CHORUS:
Come back, come back sweet Annie
Come back for I will be there
We'll sing and we'll play
In the old-fashioned way
On the hillside of sweet County Clare
I'll hold your hand, we'll walk through the Burren
With limestone and flowers so rare
The yellows and reds, the gold in their petals
Will match your blue eyes and fair hair
We'll visit Quinn Abbey and Fein Cill Sula
Where holy ones once knelt in prayer
But how can this be, if you stay away darling
From your home in the county of Clare?
CHORUS
I'm looking across at the great Aran islands
Inis Mean, Inis Mor, Inis Oirr
They've nestled there neatly caressed by the ocean
Surrounded by water so clear
But you have the smoke and the dust of the city
Where people pass by and don't care
There's love and there's welcome as warm as the sunshine
For you in the county of Clare