Tune Req: The River Moy

Subject: The River Moy
From: hrafn
Date: 12 Jul 00 - 08:35 PM

Well, not Hrafn actually, but his lady friend Nainseadh.... A good old friend of mine gave me the words to the air The River Moy and he can play it on the accordion alright, but he doesn't have the sheet music or the actual tune himself.... can anybody help me out here? Thanks in advance.... love to hear from you..... Nain...

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The River Moy
From: John Moulden
Date: 13 Jul 00 - 03:06 PM

There are several songs which might be The River Moy. If you post a verse or two it would be possible to know which one.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The River Moy
From: hrafn
Date: 13 Jul 00 - 06:44 PM

Hi John, I didn't know that!!! But this is the air composed by John Tommy Moran of Glenree, Co. Mayo in Rep. Ireland and the first 2 verses are.....

Thy banks so green, thy waters clear on thy bed of golden hue The valley of thy pathway is a glorious thing to view Thy whirling ebbing waters wild go dancing forth with joy Which fills my soul with thoughts of you, oh beauteous River Moy

How oft I've trod those banks so green on either side the stream With boyish glee and down the Lee, wild birds I want to be That echoes from the hills around its bliss without the Loy Oh those happy hours and boyhood days down by the River Moy

There are another 3 verses and apparently it is written over a hundred years ago.... if you could help me out I'ld be forever gratefull...... Love, Nain.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE RIVER MOY (McNulty Family)
From: quokka
Date: 17 May 08 - 08:40 AM

I have been trying to find the words to this song, and I have transcribed what I can make out (with a few gaps) from an old recording of the McNulty family.

DOWN BY THE RIVER MOY
        
Thy banks so green, thy waters clear and thy bed a golden hue
The valley of thy pathway is a glorious thing to view
Thy whirling eddying waters wild go dancing forth with joy
Which fills my soul with thoughts of you o beauteous river Moy

How oft I trod those banks so green on either side the stream
With boyish glee and down the lee while birdsong __________(?)
That echoed from the hills around ________________________
Oh those happy happy boyhood days down by the river Moy

Then search Great Britain o'er and o'er and dear old Ireland too
A fairer land you could not find that seems so fair to view
When evening falls on all the scene and the moon shields ______
____________________________________________________

Three thousand miles divide us now, Columbia is my home
No time nor space can e'er replace the love that's sure to come
Whene'er my thoughts revert to thee once more I am a boy
Sporting with my playmates dear down by the river Moy

But oft its long ago since then for fifty years have fled
My dark brown locks are frosted now and my youthful days are spent
But hope __________________it will be my greatest joy
The day when I will once more see my own dear river Moy

- If anyone can fill in the gaps that would be great! (Or correct my mistakes!)
Cheers,
Quokka