Origins: Isle of Innisfree (Richard Farrelly)

Subject: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: NEWFOUNDLANDER
Date: 22 Feb 98 - 02:13 PM

Looking for the lyrics for Isle of Inishfree. Might not be correct spelling. Also love to have any links to Irish and Newfoundland music.

---

Isle of Innisfree added to Digital Tradition Oct 1998

Subject: Lyr Add: ISLE OF INNISFREE (Richard Farrelly)
From: alison
Date: 22 Feb 98 - 04:46 PM

Hi,

Here you go...........

ISLE OF INNISFREE

I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.

And precious things are dreams unto an exile
They take him o'er the land across the sea,
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.

And when the moonlight peeps across the roof-tops
Of this great city, wondrous tho' it be
I scarcely feel it's wonder or it's laughter
I'm once again back home in Innisfree.

I wander o'er green hills thro' dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.

And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home, and tenderly behold,
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered
On bended knees their rosary is told.

But dreams don't last tho' dreams are not forgotten
And soon I'm back to stern reality,
But tho' they paved the footways here with gold dust
I still would choose the Isle of Innisfree.

Slainte

Alison

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: NEWFOUNDLANDER
Date: 22 Feb 98 - 07:32 PM

THANKS ALISON

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 23 Feb 98 - 05:36 AM

Is this the same island that is praised by W.B. Yeats in his poem "The lake isle of Innisfree"?
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 23 Feb 98 - 11:50 AM

Wolfgang
In the song "Innisfree" is used as a name for Ireland. Yeats was referring (at least on one level) to a specific island in one of the Sligo lakes, as far as I remember.
Regards
p.s You might sometimes hear:
"I will arise and go now - and go where there's Guinness free"!

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Ezio
Date: 23 Feb 98 - 12:39 PM

Lovely song - one of my preferite.

I love especially the version sung by Sean Tyrrell. In this version (spelled INISFREE) the fourth quatrain is different from the one posted by Alison:

And as the moon peeps high along the rooftops

Of this great city wondrous though it be

I scarce can feel its laughter or its music

My heart's again back home in Inisfree.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From:
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 02:33 PM

Does anyone know or have the sheet music to this song?

Thanks,

Trish

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: ard mhacha
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 02:47 PM

Wolfgang, Yes he was referring to an Island on Lough Gill, and Ezio I have also heard your version as well as Allisons. The song was out around 1952 when "The Quiet Man" was released. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: DougR
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 04:29 PM

No wonder. It was the featured musical theme of the movie.

DougR

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: ard mhacha
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 04:51 PM

DougR Right on the nose then, Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: DougR
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 06:34 PM

Twice yet! **BG**

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Barry T
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 08:25 PM

I understand the melody was based on a traditional tune titled Dreams of Alwyn, but I've never been able to find any info on it. Here's my midi sequence for your entertainment.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 Jul 01 - 08:36 PM

The Dream of Olwen?

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Tiger
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 07:25 AM

I have the sheet music from a nice Foster and Allen songbook. If you'd like me to send you a scan, e-mail me at: [e-mail]

Regards.......Tiger

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: GUEST,Trish
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 01:17 PM

To Tiger,

Thanks for your offer. Yes I would love if you could e-mail me a scanned copy. I have tried to e-mail you but it came back. I need the sheet music to play at the wedding ceremony of a friend of mine. You can e-mail me at [e-mail]

Thanks again,

Trish

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Genie
Date: 07 Mar 02 - 03:18 PM

Barry, I clicked on your MIDI link and it didn't work.

Can someone post a MIDI link for the tune or a link to a site that has the sheet music or an MP3? I have heard the song before but can't quite recall all the tune, and I'd love to add it to my St. Patrick's repertoire.

Thanks,

Genie

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Mar 02 - 03:26 PM

Taylor's Traditional Tunebook: Irish Tunes

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Genie
Date: 07 Mar 02 - 03:57 PM

Malcolm, I can't get through to that website right now (it's too busy). But thanks for posting the link!

Genie

Subject: Tune Req.: Isle Of Innisfree
From: Genie
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 12:46 AM

Malcolm, I finally got through to the website, and it's GREAT!--but it did not have "Isle of Innisfree."

Is there another place to find it on the web?

Genie

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Pene Azul
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 12:54 AM

MIDIs:

Dreams of Alwyn (Isle of Innisfree) from this page on Barry Taylor's site (as per Malcolm's link)

Isle of Innisfree from here

MIDI of the melody here in Mudcat MIDIs.

There are other links in this Google search.

Jeff

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 01:08 AM

So, Doug R says this is the featured Theme songo of the film, The Quiet Man. I'm absolutely certain that theme was the tune Rakes of Mallow. Are they the same, then?

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: DougR
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 01:45 AM

Sorcha, I don't know the answer to your question, but I watched The Quiet Man for the umpteenth time tonight, and there is no doubt that it is the main musical theme of The Quiet man.

DougR

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 02:11 AM

OK, Doug---go here, and choose a MIDI file, probably in G, and see if it is the same tune; please? This is driving me crazy. The Quiet Man theme never actually finishes the song--it's part A only.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 02:19 AM

OK, I get it now. We are confusing the Main Title theme with the tune that runs throughout the film. Innisfree is the Main Title; Rakes of Mallow part A is the tune that plays a lot for background. I stand corrected.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Tiger
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 08:53 AM

Genie......

I have "Isle of Innisfree" MP3 by Foster & Allen. About 3MB. Very sweet.

Send me a PM if you'd like a copy.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Genie
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 12:07 PM

Thanks so much, Jeff! (Love ya forever, ya know!)

Genie §;-)

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Genie
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 12:22 PM

Thanks, Tiger. Even though I got the tune from the links Jeff posted, I'd love to hear Foster & Allen sing it, so I'll PM you my email address.

Genie

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Genie
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 02:04 PM

BTW, the lyrics to "Innisfree" in the DT need correcting. This part of the second verse has been left out:

And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered
On bended knees their rosary is told.


And the second half of the first verse is repeated, as though it were a chorus or bridge.
I forgot whom I'm supposed to send corrections to--I think it's Jeff or Max, but I'm not sure>

Also, I learned from some of those MIDI sites that the tune is also the tune for "Dreams of Alwyn."

Genie

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: MMario
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 02:10 PM

genie - they get sent to Joe Offer, or Dick Greenhaus

Subject: Dreams of Alwyn/Isle of Innisfree
From: Genie
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 02:11 PM

I meant to change the subject line above, so the thread would link to "Alwyn" and "Innisfree," but I screwed up, so this post will accomplish that.

Genie

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: DougR
Date: 08 Mar 02 - 06:16 PM

Sorcha: I'm glad you got your question answered satisfactorily. I tried to download several of those files but could not download a single one of them to Real Player.

DougR

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: GUEST,Argenine
Date: 11 Mar 02 - 03:32 AM

Hereis a link to a parody version of the song based on the "Guinness free" idea.

Arge

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE (Yeats)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 10:03 PM

We have the MIDI, but I couldn't find the lyrics/poem at Mudcat.
-Joe Offer-

---

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE
By William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear the water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

1892

Subject: Lyr Add: ISLE OF INNISFREE (Richard Farrelly)
From: Genie
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 10:53 PM

The lyrics in to this song in the DT are still wrong. Lines 9 through 12 are repeated, and lines 13 through 16 are omitted. Since I'm posting this as a lyric correction, I went ahead and added omitted punctuation such as the periods at the ends of sentences. I've also put the chords in, just for the heck of it (since I already had it formatted that way in my files).

Genie

ISLE OF INNISFREE
From "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by William Butler Yeats; tune: "Dreams of Alwyn"

I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer,
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say,
But, sure, a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.

And precious things are dreams unto an exile.
They take him o'er the land across the sea,
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.

And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
Of this great city, wondrous though it be,
I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter.
I'm once again back home in Innisfree.

I wander o'er green hills through dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know.
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.

And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered.
On bended knees their rosary is told.

But dreams don't last, though dreams are not forgotten,
And soon I'm back to stern reality.
But, though they pave the footpaths here with gold-dust,
I still would choose my Isle of Innsifree.

Subject: RE: Lyr Correction: Add: Isle Of Innisfree
From: Genie
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 10:58 PM

Dang! I used the same technique for posting chords which I usually do (format in Netscape Composer, copy from Source View, and paste into the thread). It's worked reliably in the past, but not today.

And sorry the chords decided to play musical chairs en route to the forum.

Genie

(I wonder if the changes in Mudcat formatting had anything to do with things that used to work not working now. Is it back to the drawing board?)

Subject: Lyric Correction: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Genie
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 11:19 PM

Sorry. It is lines 17 through 20 which have been omitted in the DT, not lines 13 through 16.

Genie

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 11:23 PM

Try Barry Taylor's tune for Isle of Innisfree. Genie, who's the songwriter?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 11:26 PM

hmm...wouldn't mind a decent recording of this song....as hearing genie sing it....it is loverly...

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISHFREE
From: Barry T
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 01:41 AM

The song was written by Dick Farrelly, formerly a Dublin policeman, who died in 1990. As for decent recordings I'd recommend the singer to whom Farrelly passed his new song in or about 1950... Carmel Quinn (www.carmelquinn.com). It was she who made it popular in North America, when she performed it on the Arthur Godfrey Show. Her rendition is superb! (BTW... I was floored to find one of my midis playing in the background when I visited her website! 'Made my day!)

As for Dreams of Alwyn, I recall having quite a discussion with a correspondent who wanted me to sequence the tune. Believing it to be copyrighted, I was reluctant to do so, but she found references to Mr. Farrelly having based his melody on the older, traditional tune. Based on that I sequenced the tune but omitted the lyrics, which are definitely Mr. Farrelly's creation.

I've never been able to find evidence of Dreams of Alwyn since that early discussion (about five years ago) and, quite frankly, I still have doubts as to its existence.

Subject: Lyr Add: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Genie
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 03:09 AM

Joe, I'm trying this again with the "add line breaks" box UN-checked.  If this comes out screwed up, too, please just delete it.  If not, we will have figured out the source of the problem.

Genie

ISLE OF INNISFREE
From "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by William Butler Yeats; tune: "Dreams of Alwyn"

I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer,
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say,
But, sure, a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.
And precious things are dreams unto an exile.
They take him o'er the land across the sea,
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.

 And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
 Of this great city, wondrous though it be,
 I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter.
 I'm once again back home in Innisfree.
 
 
I wander o'er green hills through dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know.
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander,
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered.
On bended knees their rosary is told.

But dreams don't last, though dreams are not forgotten,
And soon I'm back to stern reality.
But, though they pave the footpaths here with gold-dust,
I still would choose my Isle of Innsifree.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Genie
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 03:18 AM

Mystery solved (re posting chords in the right position): if you are posting something that contains html code and text, with the html code for line breaks already in your post, UN-CHECK the "Automatic Linebreaks" box before you post!

I also just discovered the wonderful new "Preview" box. That should help us avoid many a screwed up post!

Mudcat just gets better and better!

Genie

PS, Barry, I well remember Carmel Quinn. Wonderful voice! I'm sure she did this song beautifully. And thanks for the info on the lyricist who wrote the words for this song. In previous postings of the lyrics for this song, it says it is based on Yeats's poem, but I really see little resemblance of Farrelly's lyrics to Yeat's words, except for mention of the Isle of Innisfree itself.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 04:35 AM

Genie is right - there is no connection other than the one word.

Regards

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Verna
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 03:52 PM

It is definitely the theme used for the Quiet Man. I have been singing it for about 45 years!! Yes I'm that old!!

For those interested this year throuought the year there is a Quite Man 50th anniversary celebration happening at Cong in Co Mayo where the film was shot.

I have no idea if Olwen or Alwyn is going to be there but I rather doubt it.

All year there have been look alike competitions for participants in the celebrations in Mayo. More information availbale from the Irish Post newspaper published in UK.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Genie
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 04:41 AM

Thanks for the kind words, Nathan. Come back to the Sunday jams, and we can sing it again. *G*

Genie

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: ISLE OF INNISFREE (Dick Farrelly)
From: Genie
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 07:28 PM

Here are the corrected lyrics, with chords added.  In the DT, the lines of the first chorus are repeated and the last four lines of the second verse are omitted.

Genie
 

ISLE OF INNISFREE
Lyrics: Dick Farrelly, perhaps inspired by "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by William Butler Yeats; tune: "Dreams of Alwyn"

                       G           G7                   C
I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer,
                    D                  D7                      G
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say,
                   G         G7                 C
But, sure, a body's bound to be a dreamer
                      D             D7               G
When all the things he loves are far away.
                      G             G7                   C
And precious things are dreams unto an exile.
                       D          D7                  G
They take him o'er the land across the sea,
                  G         G7                   C
Especially when it happens he's an exile
                        D       D7             G
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.

                        C                                      G
 And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
                     A       A7                         D  D7
 Of this great city, wondrous though it be,
                G         G7                C
 I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter.
                  D            D7                G
 I'm once again back home in Innisfree.
 

I wander o'er green hills through dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know.
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander,
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered.
On bended knees their rosary is told.

 But dreams don't last, though dreams are not forgotten,
 And soon I'm back to stern reality.
 But, though they pave the footpaths here with gold-dust,
 I still would choose my Isle of Innsifree.

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: GUEST,Gerard Farrelly - SON OF THE COMPOSER
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 07:57 PM

Gerard Farrelly
Seolta Records
19 Bayview Avenue
North Strand
Dublin 3
EIRE
E-mail [e-mail]

Re: "The Isle Of Innisfree"

I discovered this wonderful website recently and with great interest.

To everyone who has been inquiring about or posting information on the song "Isle Of Innisfree" - theme of John Ford's classic film,"The Quiet Man", please allow me to clarify some issues on the subject.

I am a professional musician, who resides at the above address and I am the son of the composer of this song. My father's name was Richard Farrelly but he was better known all his life as Dick Farrelly and he was a member of An Garda Siochana, (The Irish Police-force). He died in August 1990 at the family home in Churchtown, Dublin. My father wrote the words and music of the "Isle Of Innisfree" in 1949 on a bus journey to Dublin from his hometown of Kells,Co.Meath.
This was his most famous song. It became a huge international hit for Bing Crosby in 1952 and was chosen by John Ford as the theme music for "The Quiet Man", however, neither my father's name nor the title of the song appeared in the production credits. Victor Young was credited with the entire musical score. The publishers of the song are Peter Maurice Music Limited who are now part of EMI Music Publishing.

To find out more about my father and the history of this and other songs he wrote, please visit the website - stoneandfarrelly.com - The website is that of the Irish singer Sinead Stone and myself.

We have recently released our debut album, "Legacy of a Quiet Man", which is a collection of my father's best known songs including the "Isle Of Innisfree"; the CD is available through our website.

Incidentally, my father was not writing about the same place in Co. Sligo that W.B.Yeats wrote about in his poem "Lake Isle Of Innisfree". There is no connection whatsoever between the poem and the song. Also, the song is totally original and is not based on any other work.

I would be delighted to hear from anyone who may be interested in the song, my father, or our CD "Legacy of a Quiet Man". You may e-mail me at the above.

On a personal note - It is a source of great pleasure to both myself and the family that 50 years after my father composed this song and 12 years since his death, that so many people the world over so love his "Innisfree", and are still recording and performing it.

Kind regards,
Gerard Farrelly

PS: The second last line of the song is - "But though they paved the footways here with gold-dust" and not "pave the footpaths".

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Noreen
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 08:09 PM

Thanks for that, Gerard.

Can you explain why the tune is known as "Dreams of Alwyn", please?

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Big Tim
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 05:10 AM

Gerard: is Innisfree a real place name then, if not the "Lake Isle", and if so, where is it? Somewher near Kells?

I have Joseph Locke singing it and there it IS credited to "Farrelly". How could the film people use the song without crediting it to the composer, didn't he copyright it?

All the best and thanks,
BT

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Brakn
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 06:17 AM

The tune is nothing like the "Dreams of Alwyn".

Subject: RE: ISLE OF INNISFREE
From: Brakn
Date: 03 Oct 02 - 06:23 AM

That might have been a hasty post. My mother says that the "Dreams of Alwyn" is a totally different air. So I looked for it on Google and came up with "the Isle of Innishfree". Will ask my mother to play it.