At our music & song sesh last night, a chap who'd been sat by listnening came over and asked if we knew this song - we didn't.
It was clear from his Kerry accent he was familar with it & he said he'd sung it long ago in a band in Ireland with D.J. Curtin [also we'd never heard of]
He asked if we could find & learn it so we could accompany him in doing it next week.
There's a spot in old Tir Conaill There's a wee house in that glen Where there dwelt an Irish colleen Who charmed the hearts of men She was winsome, hale and hearty Shy and graceful as the fawn Neighbours loved the widow's daughter Happy, laughing Noreen Bawn.
Till one day arrived a letter With her passage paid to go To that place where the Missouri And the Mississippi flow She said goodbye to Erin And next morning at the dawn A broken-hearted mother Said farewell to Noreen Bawn
Weary years that mother waited Till one evening at the door Stood a gorgeous looking lady Awful grand the clothes she wore Whispering, "Mother, don't you know me ? Now I've only got a cold." Yet those purple spots upon her cheeks The tragic story told
There's a churchyard in Tir Conaill, Where the blossoms sadly wave, There's a broken hearted mother Weeping o'er that lonely grave "Poor Noreen", she is calling "Tis I'm lonesome since you're gone, "Twas the curse of emigration Laid you low, my Noreen Bawn."
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Still no joy on finding the author though, anyone know?