Lyr ADD: Rathlin Island

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Gabriel
Date: 29 Oct 22 - 04:07 PM

Does anyone know the song by John McCurdy of Rathlin, called 'The flashing lights of Rathlin'? I have three verses of it, but there must be more. John sings it to the same tune as 'The hills above Drumquin'.

The Flashing Lights of Rathlin
John Mc Curdy

Oh many’s the day has come and gone, this long and weary while
Since last I saw the flashing, of the lights on Rathlin’s isle
As from the great Cunard deck came swiftly into view
The East light and the West light, and the little light on Rue

Oh my head was full of fancies, and my heart was free from care
As it sang and fluttered gaily, like the skylark in the air
But then the times came cruel, and the farm we had was small
With the old folk and the children, sure there was no room at all

And so I left the island, and I sailed across the sea
And the flashing lights of Rathlin, were the last of home for me
But sure the luck was with me, in that city grim and cold
Where I toiled and saved the dollars, like a miser saves his gold.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Thompson
Date: 11 Nov 17 - 04:45 AM

Are there any songs about the genocide on Rathlin in the 1570s and 1640s?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Pat Donnelly
Date: 09 Nov 17 - 12:09 PM

Brian Connors was a lovely chap. I haven't seen him since my teens (I'm 63) when he used to teach us guitar in Barnageeha on the Antrim Road in Belfast at evening class each week.
A gentle and talented man who fostered the love of music in a quare bunch of us.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 11:17 AM

Ha! So are you inferring that we could get there under our own power? (hot air indeed!)*grin*

I could say something about flying with harps and angels
BTW There are harps in hell- just no tuning keys

Seriously, though, I'm intrigued with the Maine/Rathlin connections as well as the general Scots-Irish correlations.

Stay well
J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:00 PM

Julia, maybe you guys should come over by Hot Air Balloon yourselves, next time! :-)

Cheers
Dick

Subject: Lyr Add: THE NIGHTINGALE
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:52 AM

Then there is always "The Nightingale."

Oh woeful was the day when I was pressed to sail afar
And leave behind the girl I loved in the town of Ballynagard.
The shady groves were my delight till I was forced to sail.
You all may guess at my distress lying in the Nightingale.

Oh, grief and woe that I must go and fight for England's King.
I do not know his friends or foe and war's a cruel thing.
The Nightingale lies near at hand, my time alas is brief.
From purling streams and mountain rills I part with bitter grief.

No more I'll walk the golden hills with Nancy by my side
Or stroll along the sunbright rills or view my land with pride.
We sail away at dawn of day. Our sails are ready set.
When Old Ireland's shore I see no more, I will sigh with deep regret.

Now all is changed and I must range across the ocean wide.
Our ship she may in Biscay Bay be sunk beneath the tide.
If I should fall by a cannonball or sink beneath the sea,
Good people all, a tear let fall and mourn for mine and me.

But if God should spare my graying hair and bring me back again,
I will love far more my Antrim shore, it's dark blue hills and glens.
Around my fire but one desire God grant till life shall fail
To keep me far from cruel war and from the Nightingale.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 09:38 AM

Ho!
I thought it might be about him- I'll send the verse(s) when I get them written. There was a whole community of Islanders who came across in the mid 1800's as a group and settled in northeast Maine. I have been documenting their gravestones- names like McCurdy and Black abound. Will send pix and info if you are interested. I'm sure they felt comfortable there as it is coastal, many islands etc. Still, they must have missed Rathlin. Interesting that the hot-air balloon that landed in the sea there left from Maine...? Perhaps we could arrange some kind of presentation next time we are over- maybe Sept?

Regarding your song, I know exactly the process you experienced. I firmly believe that the best songs, esp. those about a place, are "informed" by the nature of that place. As if the Genius Loci is speaking through you. So naturally, it would have the same "flavor" as Mull of Kintyre. We've done a lot of writing inspired by various places we've visited (sonic post-cards)and find this to be true. On another note (la!)I like to look at tunes named for people as portraits of them.

All the best to you both

I'll contact you via e-mail about the $

Julia

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 05:32 AM

Ian:

The tune & the chorus, came to me as I was driving from Cushendall to Ballycastle, a route which, as it goes over high ground, allows wonderful views of Rathlin Island & the Argyll coast, including the Mull of Kintyre.

If you listen to the tune again, I think you'll clearly hear the 'Mull of Kintyre' influence.

However, I assure you it wasn't a conscious decision to make it sound like it, it just came out that way naturally, indeed it was some time before I made the connection myself.

Fred & Julia:

Hi, yes his wife still runs the Bushmills Hostel. Sabine & I were playing in there just the other evening. Next time I see her, I'll say you were asking after her.

Glad you liked the song & I'd be honoured if you wanted to sing it.

Now that it's written, as far as I'm concerned it's out there in the trad ether now, so if folks want to add verses or remove verses or adapt it any which way they can, that's all fine by me.
Personally, I don't like this old copyright nonsense in relation to material of a traditional nature.
As the composer of this simple wee song, I am just delighted if anyone is interested in it, especially if it helps to keep Tommy's memory alive & makes folks think a little more of Rathlin Island.

If you do add a verse, please post it here - I'd love to read it & of course if you sing it, it'd be great to hear it sung by 'singing' voices instead of my old croaking!

P.S. I've still got some money, sitting here waiting for you!
Perhaps I could give it to Rick, next Spring when he's over here?

Cheers
Dick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 04:43 AM

Can't get the tune out of my head - must be good. Is it a traditional tune with added words or is the tune also yours Dick? I think you should write some more.
Cheers
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:32 AM

Come to think of it, I've been doing some research about Rathlin Islanders who came to Maine. Wonder if I might add a verse about those who "never saw their loved ones again"?
Also wondered if this is the same gentleman who was involved with the balloon incident? I think we met his wife at the youth hostel in Bushmills.

best- Julia

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 12:29 AM

Great song, Dick!! Well done- mind if we sing it?
Julia & Fred from Maine

Subject: ADD: Rathlin Ferry
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM

Thanks Ian, I knew I'd eventually find someone who liked this song! :-)

RATHLIN FERRY

Chorus:
Ferry me o'er the water to Rathlin,
Carry me safely over that sea,
Where many poor men lost their lives brave and early,
Never to see their own loved ones again.

Long long ago there came a flotilla,
50 small Curraghs from Scotland to trade,
Hell sent a storm to murder those sailors,
None of them ever saw dry land again.

Chorus

Spaniards they sent a mighty armada,
Tall ships with canon and brave men of war,
One ship was lost in dark stormy water,
Many men ne'r saw their homeland again.

Chorus

Some ships were sunk by gale or torpedo,
Lost around Rathlin in a watery grave,
Tascania and Drake, Calgarion and Raven,
Brisk and Lochgarry will ne'r sail again.

Chorus

Even today those waters are deadly,
Treacherous currents by cliff and by shore,
So swimmers and sailors and divers take a warning,
Or you may ne'r see your families no more.

Chorus

Cheers
Dick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:49 AM

Hi Ptarmigan,
I really like your song. Any chance of posting lyrics (and chords?) to save the musically disadvantaged amongst us (i.e. me) trying to work it out. I would be very grateful.
Cheers,
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 04:17 AM

Rathlin Ferry

Don't know it's of any interest to you guys, but I composed this wee song in memory of Rathlin Hero, Tommy Cecil, whose nickname was "The Ferryman". He sailed from Ballycastle to Rathlin for many years & carried thousands of passengers safely to & fro. He died tragically in 1997, in a Diving accident, after a lifetime of service to the people of Rathlin Island.

We live on the North Antrim coast, looking out on Rathlin & this tragic accident happened shortly before I released a couple of tapes of local North Antrim tunes & the story moved me so much, that I wrote the song.

Unfortunately I can't sing, but I did my best. :-(

Cheers
Dick

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ENCHANTED ISLAND (Luke Aylmer Conolly
From: GUEST,Jamey McCurdy
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 03:37 AM

THE ENCHANTED ISLAND
(Luke Aylmer Conolly)

To Rathlin's Isle I chanced to sail,
When summer breezes softly blew,
And there I heard as sweet a tale,
That oft I wished it could be true.

They say, at eve, when rude winds sleep,
And hushed is every turbid swell,
A Mermaid rises from the deep,
And sweetly tunes her magic shell.

And while she plays, rock, dell, and cave,
In dying falls the sound retain,
As if some choral spirits gave
Their aid to swell her witching strain.

Then summoned by that dulcet note,
Uprising to th' admiring view,
A fairy island seems to float
With tints of many a gorgeous hue.

And glittering fanes, and lofty towers,
All on this fairy isle are seen;
And waving trees, and shady bowers,
With more than mortal verdure green.

And as it moves, the western sky
Glows with a thousand varying rays;
The calm sea, tinged with each dye,
Seems like a golden flood of blaze.

They also say, if earth or stone,
From verdant Erin's hallowed land,
Were on this magic island thrown,
For ever fixed, it would there stand.

But, when for this, some little boat
In silence ventures from the shore—
The mermaid sinks—hushed is the note;
The fairy isle is seen no more!

I got this out of the book Rathlin's Rugged Story by Augustine McCurdy. It's called THE ENCHANTED ISLAND. I hope someone gets this let me know if you do [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 02:03 PM

BIG TIM Please give me your definition of the word terrorist when you refer to Ireland .

Not a subject or reference suited to this part of cat. I watch with interest.

Mary Black and her sister never fail to take part in the various Fleadhs organised in the nationalists areas of Belfast, Their father was a native of Rathlin Island.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 01:26 PM

Well done Guest plenty of information there, Tim no terrorist incidents on Rathlin Island?, like kidnapping a few sheep?, very little reason for    any excursions to the Island, we left thet to Robert the Bruce, dear o dear, Tim i`m surprised at you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 12:04 PM

Thanks GUEST. Fascinating stuff. The good Rev. could never have imagined that his name and deeds would be circulating electronically around the world almost 200 years after his death.

Incidentally, there was never a terrorist incident on Rathlin throughout the Troubles. A few years ago, when the Protestant church needed restoring, the Catholics, who comprise 90% of the population, chipped in financially towards the cost.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 09:32 AM

And this - definitely the last - is from Hugh Boyd's "History of Ramoan Parish," 1930.
(I've left out the details which would have duplicated my post above.)

The Rev. Charles McDaniel Stewart was succceded in the Chaplaincy of Ballycastle Church on the
17th of August, 1810, by the Reverend Luke Aylmer Connolly, B.A.
Connolly graduated B.A. in Trinity College, Dublin, in 1806. He was ordained deacon at Lisburn on the 23rd of July, 1807, and priest in the Chapel of Portglenone on the lOth of March, 1808.
The Rev. Luke Connolly was the author of an account of Ramoan Parish, Co. Antrim, in Shaw Mason's "Parochial Survey of Ireland," 1816, Vol. II.
Ewart's "Handbook of the United Diocese of Down and Connor and Dromore" states that the Rev. Luke Connolly was Curate of Ballintoy, 1817-1818. If so, he must have held this curacy with the
Chaplaincy of Ballycastle Church.
The Rev. Luke ConnolIy resigned the Chaplaincy of Ballycastle Church in 1826, and died on the
30th of January, 1832, "having been incapable through illness of fulfilling the duties of his
profession for seven or eight years." (See the "Belfast News-Letter" of the 21st February, 1832.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:10 AM

Tim, this is from "The Poets of Ireland," D. J. O'Donoghue 1892. The entry in Princess
Grace Irish Library's Writer's Biogs. is obviously from this source too.

CONOLLY, REV. LUKE AYLMER.

THE FRIARS' TALE, OR MEMOIRS OF THE CHEVALIER ORSINI, &c., 2 vols., London, 1805.   
(Prose tales with occasional verse) ; LEGENDARY TALES IN VERSE (see anonymous pieces),
Belfast, 1813; THE TOURNAMENT, a poem (anonymous), Belfast, 1832.

Also a sermon at Montrose in 1812.
He was evidently well-known as a poet at the close of last century, for Sir John Carr,
in the list of Irish writers in his "Stranger in Ireland," 1803, a list referred to several
times in the present work, includes him among the poets.
He wrote the well-known anonymous ballad, "By Rathlin's Isle I chanced to Sail," and was
author of an "Account of Ramoan, Co. Antrim," "Parochial Survey of Ireland," 1816, vol. 2.
"By Rathlin's Isle" is in Hayes' "Ballads of Ireland," and other collections of Irish poetry.
Was of Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, and graduated B.A., T.C.D., 1806. He had a volume of poems in
the press at the time of his death, which occurred about 1833 at Ballycastle, but it never appeared.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 04:22 AM

Bente, I think you are right. My ears are rather well worn!

Hi Seamus, thanks for the information. Any more detail on Brian Connors' recordings? They sound very atractive.

I can't find anything more on Luke Conolly; he has no entry in Oxford Companion to Irish Literature, or, in Dictionary of Ulster Biography.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 11:05 PM

Ard, no, the one written by Brian Connors is the one posted by Big Tim. (Hi Tim!)

Brian's recording is called "Heading Home" by Brian Connors and Trostan on the Outlet Label, 1989.

Seamus

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ENCHANTED ISLE (Luke Aylmer Conolly)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 08:55 PM

THE ENCHANTED ISLE
(Luke Aylmer Conolly)

To Rathlin's Isle I chanced to sail
When summer breezes softly blew,
And there I heard so sweet a tale,
That oft I wished it could be true.

They said, at eve, when rude winds sleep,
And hushed is ev'ry turbid swell,
A mermaid rises from the deep,
And sweetly tunes her magic shell.

And while she plays, rock dell and cave
In dying falls the sound retain,
As if some choral spirits gave
Their aid to swell her witching strain.

Then summoned by that dulcet note,
Uprising, to th' admiring view,
A fairy island seems to float
With tints of many a gorgeous hue.

And glittering fanes, and lofty towers,
All on this fairy isle are seen;
And waving trees, and shady bowers,
With more than mortal verdure green.

And as it moves, the western sky
Glows with a thousand varying rays;
And the calm sea, tinged with each dye,
Seems like a golden flood of blaze.

They also say, if earth or stone,
From verdant Erin's hallowed land,
Were on this magic island thrown,
For ever fixed, it then would stand,

But, when for this, some little boat
In silence ventures from the shore-
The mermaid sinks - hushed is the note,
The fairy isle is seen no more!


The above poem is frequently printed as anonymous. It was written by Conolly, and is in his 'Legendary Tales in        Verse', published anonymously in Belfast in I8I3. He was born at Ballycastle, County Antrim, graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, in I806, and entered the Church. He died in or about I833.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: bfdk
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:51 PM

Tim, I hear this bit:

We'll be home by the evening's closing,
Down the cold sun, the ebbing tide?
We'll be greeted by Hanry Andy?
For a pint or two down in McBrides.

a bit differently:

We'll be home by the evening, surely
Down the coast and the ebbing tide
We'll be greeted by Henry Andy
For a pint or two down in McBrides.

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: ard mhacha
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:05 PM

Seamus,Not the above?.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Seamus kennedy
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:54 PM

Rathlin Island was written by Brian Connors from Belfast, who like myself spent a lot of time up in North Antrim. He has recorded it with his group.
He has written a fine body of songs about Antrim and Belfast, including City By The Laganside which I recorded on one of my CDs.

Seamus

Subject: Lyr Add: RATHLINS ISLE
From: ard mhacha
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 02:59 PM

I remember a song we were taught at school, I heard it sung at many a Feis.

RATHLINS ISLE

To Rathlins Isle I chanced to sail,
When summer breezes softly blew,
And there I heard as sweet a tale
That oft I wished it could be true.

They say, at eve when rude winds sleep
And hushed is every turbid swell,
A Mermaid rises from the deep
And sweetly tunes her magic shell.

And while she plays, rock, dell and cave
In dying falls the sound retain,
As if some choral spirits gave
Their aid to swell her witching strain.

These are the first three verses I recall from memory, does anyone know the writer or the other verses?

Subject: Lyr Add: RATHLIN ISLAND (from Pat Woods)
From: Big Tim
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 11:35 AM

RATHLIN ISLAND
(as recorded by Pat Woods)

Sailing southwards from Rathlin Island,
Past Fair Head and by Murlough Bay,
With a north wind to drive us homeward,
What care we for the wind or spray?

We've been fishing since morning early,
When the sun first shone on the sea,
We've a fine catch of lythe and glashan,
Six wee codlings for Friday's tea.

Chorus: Sailing southwards...

It's a life for a man of freedom,
With a good boat and trusty crew,
And the sea is his realm and kingdom,
With the wild seals and gannets too.

Chorus: Sailing southwards...

We'll be home by the evening's closing,
Down the cold sun, the ebbing tide?
We'll be greeted by Hanry Andy?
For a pint or two down in McBrides.

(Andy: if you visit the Island again, could you ask around and see if anyone can provide any more details about the composer of this lovely song).

(Stewie: afraid I can't share your opinion of Cathy Ryan's song or album,tho I appreciate that it's largely a matter of taste and opinion).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 03:30 AM

Cathy Ryan also has a lovely song with this title - 'Rathlin Island 1847' - her own composition, on her 'Somewhere Along the Road' CD.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 03:10 AM

I suspect Pat Woods' version surfaces on various compilation CDs.

The one that I have is on one called "Welcome to Northern Ireland: a musical journey around the North featuring Ireland's favourite singers and songs: 22 traditional songs". Label: Outlet. No date given but probably mid to late 90s.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From:
Date: 22 Apr 06 - 12:47 PM

Was out on Rathlin, Wednesday past - big swell going out, lovely day to be there, warm sun, showers, hail!
Kept thinking of that song which I heard a long time ago - remembered the first line "sailing southwards ----" and tune I think.

Anyone got the words or where could I get recording by Leo McCaffrey or Pat Woods?

Billy, Killinchy

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 04:53 AM

Mick: Pat's a lovely singer, also got him singing "Carrickfergus". If you don't have these, and would like them, just PM me.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 04:53 PM

Hell, BT, I knew you were just funnin', it just cracked me up. Every time I give the auld larder a hard time about that heathen brogue up there. I tell him he should adopt a beautiful Dublin street brogue and upgrade himself. He goes ballistic as he has a certain, shall we say, disdain of all things Dublin. I love slaggin my dear old friend, Pat Woods.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 11:41 AM

Of course I was only joking Mick - it's my native tongue (tho you wouldn't think so to hear me now). I can now access BBC NI TV, which I often do - mainly just to hear the glorious oul tongue!

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 09:55 AM

Big Tim............ those folks from Keady would be willing to fight at that description of the golden language that flows from their mouths.............hahahahahahaha. Pat is a very good friend of mine. We perform together sometimes when he is in the area. Quite a character.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 08:12 AM

Thanks Eugene: the link worked, tho I had already checked that Thread. I have a recording of the song, by Pat Woods, so I'm reasonably familiar with the words, just one or two blanks owing to pronunciation - it that bloody Northern Irish accent!

Both fish are in the big dictionaries, OED, Websters, Scottish Nat. Dict. - if you know what to look under.

From the Scottish National Dictionary:
"glashan: the coal fish in its second or third year- from the Gaelic 'glaisean' - 'glas' meaning 'gray'".

"Lythe - (also lyth, lith(e)): the pollack [fish].

So there you go, my daughter's off the hook (pun intended)!

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Eugene Judge
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 05:24 AM

You will find a version in this 1999 thread. Hope it works I think I've followed the instructions right! If not do a search on the Forum you'll find it.

thread.cfm?threadid=12842

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 05:24 AM

Thanks Donal: that was quick. I'll check Oxford E.D. in library this afternoon.In my Chambers Scots Dictionary "glashan" is defined as "the coal fish in it's second or third year - from Scots gaelic "glaisean". No sign of "laithe". Will check further. (My daughter is a marine scientist and has lots of big books on fish!). Thanks you again.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Donal
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 04:51 AM

Tim,
       'Laithe', usually spelled that way, and 'Glashan', ARE North of Ireland fish. Whether they have different names in the wider world I don't know, but both names sound as if they could be from Gaelic.
       Don.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Big Tim
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 04:40 AM

Found the missing words given as "lithe" and "glassen" but they are not in my (very big) Websters Dict as anything fishy or nautical. Also the final line as "a piper's tune down in McBrides" - (not "a pint or two" - tho that would be equally apropriate). Any clues?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: DonMeixner
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 12:39 AM

http://www.prof.co.uk/irish/lyrics/rathlin_island_boat_song.htm

Try this site, Has the words as well as some sugessted chords.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
From: GUEST,Sorch
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 05:48 PM

Could it be this one? Click! We've had a lot of requests for this one over the years.

---

Thread #12842   Message #103493
Posted By: SingsIrish Songs
09-Aug-99 - 07:12 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Rathlin Island
Subject: Lyr Add: RATHLIN ISLAND BOAT SONG

Here's what I transcribed from the version by Barley Bree. However, there are a couple words I just can't make out (in brackets below). The first word I haven't a clue--sounds like "glassen" but that's not a word in my dictionary...the other I decided could be "gales" but Barley Bree makes it sound more like "gallets"... If anyone knows the particular words (or any other corrections for that matter), please, please, please post them...

SingsIrish Songs -------------------------

Rathlin Island Boat Song

Ref: Sailing Southwards from Rathlin Island
Past Fair Head and by Murlough Bay
With a north wind to glide us onwards
What care we for the wind or spray

We've been fishing since morning early
When the sun first shown on th ebay.
We've a fine catch of life and [glassen],
Six wee codlings for Friday's tea.

It's the life for a man of freedom
With a good boat and trusty crew.
With the sea for his relm and kingdom
And the wild seals and [gales] too.

We'll be home by the evening surely
Sailing south with the flowing tide.
We'll be met there by Henry Andy
For a pint or two to Ring McBride's.

Subject: Lyrics for Rathlin Island
From: Colin The Whistler
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 05:45 AM

Hi folks..hav'nt been about for a while but I'm back on line so watch out folkie world. Anybody got the wprds of Rathlin Island..

Sailing southwards to Rathlin Island Passed Fair Head..etc......

Slainte

Colin Ballygally

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From: Bobby O'Brien
Date: 26 Mar 97 - 10:02 PM

Rathlin Island! what a rare lovely ballad. I have it on record by Leo McCaffrey . It starts something like "sailing southward from Rathlin Island. Past Fairhead and by Murloch Bay..."

Subject: Lyrics Req:Rathlin Island
From:
Date: 23 Mar 97 - 09:45 PM

Looking for lyrics to Rathlin Island - any help appreciated

Mike