A question was asked about an Irish song called Nora Creina by someone on one of the yachtin' sites I inhabit. I suspect they have a boat of the same name, but were asking about the history behind the song. I believe there were a couple of steamers by this name, possibly immigrant ships of the Irish Diaspora, but where better to ask for some solid history?

I found the lyric, but don't know the tune. Anything anyone can dig up will be passed to an appreciative skipper!

NORA CREINA,
SEE THE FLOWERS.

Nora Creina, see the flowers,
The lovely flowers that all seem'd perish'd,
The tendrils we together train'd,
The blossoms we so fondly cherish'd.
Now beneath the Summer's sun,
Gladly waking, gayly springing,
O'er thy bower their trellis weave,
Sweetest perfumes round thee flinging,
Nora Creina! Nora dear!
Lovely darling, Nora Creina!

Nora Creina, see the birds
We thought forever flown away, love,
Whose nest was in the Linden tree,
Whose young would round thy footsteps play, love.
Now the weary winter's past,
O'er the wild wave gayly winging,
Come to seek thy smiles again,
'Neath thy lattice sweetly singing:
Nora Creina! Nora dear!
Spirits watch o'er Nora Creina!

Nora Creina! Nora dear!
Thus my love is thine forever;
Tho' stern fate's decree is past
Two fond hearts awhile to sever.
Nora, darling, wipe away
The tear that's in thy blue eye starting;
Soon, love, we shall meet again,
And still more fondly for the parting.
Nora Creina! Nora dear!
My sweet, my own, my Nora Creina!

I couldn't find it in the DT, so over to you!

Skipjack

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 18-Aug-02.