Lyr Add: Carrig Rua (South Roscommon Singers)

Subject: Lyr Add: CARRIG RUA
From: Wolfgang
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 05:36 AM

another transcription from the South Roscommon Singers' CD. Corrections are invited. The only place I have found on the web called Carrig Rua is in Donegal, however the song's location rather seems to be Co. Wexford. I do not have a detailed map of that region, so many of the place names are bound to be wrong.

Wolfgang

CARRIG RUA

You may sing your fine songs and stories tell
of places and scenes that you all know well
but I tell you now of this hill I do know
it's called Carrig Rua where the wild flowers grow.

It is often I have walked it and looked all 'round
at places where history is still to be found.
I look towards the west and I see Ferns(?) town
where the old church and abbey there (??ruin I kneel/ runes any??) down.

I look in amazement at MacMurrough's domain
with his castle still standing where his blood once did stain
as I look down on the harrow where brave men did abide
it was there that the yeomen in '98 died.

I can see old (Aboe?) and the bold shelmalier
(where Father) (?)(well saw the) John Murphy with his life once held here,
where Oliver Cromwell his forces did ban
for they murdered and plundered and ravished our land.

And now as I sit here on this hill for to rest
I can hear the small birds sing in the trees as they nest.
Such a peace and contentment is now to be found,
may those men who achieved ti in heaven be proud (?).

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: Annraoi
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 04:51 PM

I think the Carraig Rua you referred to is in Donegal.It is a hotel in the village of Dunfanaghy. Of course, there might be a place called by that name, but I'm not aware of any such name round that area. Annraoi

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 06:03 PM

There's a Carrig Rua in Wexford also (bit like the Blarney Stone!) - it's mentioned in the 1798 song "Father Murphy". Ferns is right. The rest I'll check when I can find my copy of the CD!

Regards

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 01:54 PM

Wolfgang:

"Carrigrua" is given in Paddy Berry's book "More Songs of Wexford", with the following note:

"Written and sung by John Furlong, Ferns, All-Ireland ballad singing winner in 1985 at the Fleadh Ceoil in Listowel"

Just a few minor corrections based on that text:

Verse 2.3: Ferns' old town
2.4: Where the old church and abbey in ruins fall down

4.1 : I can see Boolavogue and the bold Shelmalier
4.2 Where Father John Murphy with his life he paid dear
4.3 … his forces did band

5.4 … in heaven be crowned

There is also a sixth verse, which slots between 3 and 4 of Brenda's version:

From sweet Carrigrua I see Vinegar Hill
And places where our heroes their blood once did spill
While trying to free Ireland from the grasp of the foes
They were sadly outnumbered and lost to the yeos.

Finally, Brenda seems to have switched the second half of her verse three with that of verse four.

Regards
p.s."The Harrow" is a placename

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: Wolfgang
Date: 07 Jul 99 - 10:15 AM

Thanks a lot, Martin

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: CARRIG RUA
From: Wolfgang
Date: 07 Jul 99 - 10:26 AM

here's now the final version with Martin's corrections:

CARRIG RUA

You may sing your fine songs and stories tell
of places and scenes that you all know well
but I tell you now of this hill I do know
it's called Carrig Rua where the wild flowers grow.

It is often I have walked it and looked all 'round
at places where history is still to be found.
I look towards the west and I see Ferns' town
where the old church and abbey in ruins fall down.

I look in amazement at MacMurrough's domain
with his castle still standing where his blood once did stain
as I look down on the Harrow where brave men did abide
it was there that the yeomen in '98 died.

From sweet Carrigrua I see Vinegar Hill
And places where our heroes their blood once did spill
While trying to free Ireland from the grasp of the foes
They were sadly outnumbered and lost to the yeos.

I can see Boolavogue and the bold Shelmalier
where Father John Murphy with his life once paid dear,
where Oliver Cromwell his forces did band
for they murdered and plundered and ravished our land.

And now as I sit here on this hill for to rest
I can hear the small birds sing in the trees as they nest.
Such a peace and contentment is now to be found,
may those men who achieved it in heaven be crowned.

^^

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: GUEST,mickfitzer
Date: 06 Jun 13 - 05:46 PM

The song is called Carrigroe Where the wildflowers grow,it is a hill located in North County Wexford,it was a rebel camp in 1798

http://mountainviews.ie/summit/1019/?PHPSESSID=iev4i3h6lc63rjsamnljqkqak1

Its a very nice song,i grew up on that hill and i am trying to find a copy of that song for a long time but have had no success yet

best regards

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Jun 13 - 04:14 AM

Hi GUESTmickfitzer

If you let me have an email address, I can send you a copy of the song. If you don't want to post it here, join Mudcat (it's painless) and send me a message using the Personal Message (PM) system which you'll find on your "Personal Page".

Regards

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: GUEST,Mickfitzer
Date: 08 Jul 17 - 03:56 AM

Hi Martin Ryan, sorry I'm only seeing your reply now, yes that would be great if you could send me a copy if you still have it, it was sung by the man who wrote it who is Mr John Furlong from near Ferns!

Subject: RE: ADD: Carrig Rua
From: leeneia
Date: 08 Jul 17 - 10:28 PM

The song can be heard here:

https://www.itma.ie/digital-library/sound/carrig_rua_ann_mulqueen