Finally, the definitive version! I happen to own Ron Kavana's "Home Fire," and the lyrics are printed in the liner notes. (Is it still proper to call them "liner notes" although they're no longer printed on a "liner," which I presume is the paper sleeve that vinyl LP's used to come in? Anyway...)The Celtic Bard's transcription was pretty good. Besides the corrections that have been mentioned already, there is also "but no home can I claim" in line 2.
BLACKWATERSIDE
(Ron Kavana)I am a rovin' Irishman. You need not know my name.
I've travelled all around the world but no home can I claim.
Of all the places I have been, there's none I would compare
With beautiful Blackwaterside and my friends and loved ones there.I've been along the Hudson wide, the Thames, the Seine and Rhine,
And 'though they are all wonderful, there's none that is so fine
As the beautiful Blackwater that flows so wild and free
From North Cork, through Fermoy, to Youghal down by the sea.When I have done with ramblin', never more to roam,
I'll settle by Blackwaterside and there I'll build my home.
I'll fish for trout and salmon there, plough the Golden Vale,
And happily live out my days where nature's ways prevail.
I wrote BLACKWATERSIDE during a period of severe homesickness whilst living in America. Although it is fairly typical of expatriate ballads in praise of "the old country," its sentiments are heartfelt. The river that runs from the Cork/Kerry border area known as Sliabh Luachra (the source of some great traditional music, much of which can be found on the Topic albums MUSIC FROM SLIABH LUACHRA Vols 1-6) through "Fermoy, to Youghal down by the sea" really is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. I recorded a contemporary arrangement of this song on the LILT album "For the Children" (ET 191) but ... I originally meant this song to be sung as it appears here. – RK