The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #38034   Message #544726
Posted By: radriano
07-Sep-01 - 04:26 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Glowing Firesides of Ireland
Subject: Lyr Add: LURGAN STREAM
Lemon:

If you type in Lurgan in the Digitrad & Forum search box you'll see a number of threads you might find interesting along with a song called Lurgan Town.

There's also the following song from the Sam Henry book that doesn't seem to be in Digitrad.

Lurgan Stream
Nellie M'Intyre (Mulkeragh South, Limavady); the late Alexander Thompson (Alla, near Park)
[From "Sam Henry's Songs of the People"]


When to this country first I came, my mind from love being free
It was the beauty of that female bright that so enticed me
It was the beauty of that female bright that set my heart aflame
To sing her praise I'll now set forth, she dwells near Lurgan Stream

Her cheeks are like the roses red that's newly blown in June
Her teeth like the polished ivory, and her breath a sweet perfume
Her yellow hair waves in the air, most rare for to be seen
And with a dart she pierced my heart and set it in a flame

It was on a Monday evening, my love I chanced to meet
I took her in my arms and gave her kisses sweet
I asked her if she would marry me, or single would remain
Or if she would cross o'er the seas with me and leave sweet Lurgan Stream

'If I would cross o'er the seas with you, I am sure that would be known
Or if I would cross o'er the seas with you, my friends would me disown
If I would cross the seas with you, I would be much to blame
So here at home I mean to roam and dwell near Lurgan Stream.'

'Oh, that the moon may be withdrawn, no more to rule the night
Or that the sun may be withdrawn, no more to rule daylight
The twinkling stars, they may fall down, no more for to be seen
If ever, love, I prove false to you when far from Lurgan Stream.'

She says, 'Young man, from me withdraw; none of your foolish talk
For it was for recreation's sake that I came here to walk
For Cupid's dart ne'er pierced my heart, not set it in a flame
When I would think on your false love when far from Lurgan Stream.'

My pen is getting feeble now, sure I can add no more
Since she is too young to marry me, I will sail to a foreign shore
I'll bid farewell to my old sweetheart, since her I can't redeem
Likewise to you, old Ireland, when far from Lurgan Stream

Farewell to Letterkenny town, lies near Glen Swilly shore
Where I spent all my youthful days; will I never see you more?
And twice farewell to you, Argyle, where oftimes I have been
Likewise to Kilmacrenan town, lies near sweet Lurgan Stream