The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #35381 Message #3465938
Posted By: GUEST,crazy little woman
14-Jan-13 - 10:57 AM
Thread Name: Origin: Star of the County Down
Subject: RE: Origin: Star of the County Down
My copy of the Catholic song book 'Breaking Bread says that the tune used for 'Star of the County Down' is:
called 'Kingsfold'
is traditional English
was adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams
appeared in 'English Country Songs', 1893
My Lutheran hymnal says the same but doesn't mention 1893.
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People new to folk music may not realize that the tune of a song and its lyrics can live entirely separate lives. The lyrics seem to have been written by an Irishman, so that makes the 'Star of the County Down' Irish, in a sense.
However, if you want to record the tune, the fact that it was collected sometime in the 19th C. and then published in 1893 makes it a really safe bet.