ADD: The Ferns Exile (Mick Galvin??)

Subject: ADD: The Ferns Exile (Mick Galvin??)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jul 13 - 06:06 PM

I listened to the Mick Galvin recording on Spotify, and I'd like to add a few things I hear differently.

THE FERNS EXILE
(Mick Galvin – I think)

Bitter Autumn breezes blow, along the pier at Port-Saint-Louis,
The seabirds bob and weave above the swell;
In his muffler and great coat, buttoned high against the cold,
The old man with soldier's bearing gazes out.

Now his thoughts are not on Ghent, or on that new French Parliament,
Or the honours won on Elbe or Waterloo,
But instead those blue eyes gaze back through the years' now-misted haze,
To boyhood days and bygone sad events.

CHORUS
(So) put your feeble hand in mine, let me take you back in time,
To the spring of '98 when freedom called;
When as a youth with fiery pride, along with Kelly and McBride,
You marched to Tubberneering side by side.

But your dreams were not to be, and like the Wild Geese had to flee,
To join Napoleon's army was your fate;
And when at night you shed those tears, and hoped they'd wash away your fears,
And the memories of how it might have been.

CHORUS

Now the years have come and gone, and the fighting is all done;
'Twas in the Frenchmen's cause you had to toil;
While on a lonely Ferns Hill, a rusted plough is lying still,
No more in practised hands will part the soil.

CHORUS

CHORUS (repeated with changed words)
So put your feeble hand in mine, let me take you back in time,
And on angels' wings across the sea we'll fly,
To the days not long ago, with the friends we used to know,
To stroll once more down by sweet Slaney side.


Battle of Tuberneering (1798 Rebellion)
Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône - mouth of the Rhone in southern France.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr5UaXTiJWU - recording by 'Theresa and the Stars'

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: GUEST,scalltamedia
Date: 17 Nov 08 - 05:01 AM

Hi,

This song is recorded on 'The Tomhaggard Martyr' CD by John Ennis of Wexford.

Available here: http://scallta.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=66

paul.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FERNS EXILE (Mick Galvin?)
From: GUEST,paulinwexford
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 04:29 AM

Hi,

Here are the Lyrics (transcribed so a couple unclear):

Sorry for delay.

THE FERNS EXILE
(Mick Galvin – I think)

Bitter Autumn breezes blow, along the pier at Port-Saint-Louis,
The seagulls bob and weave above the swell,
In his muffler and great coat, buttoned high against the cold
The old man with soldiers bearing gazes out.

Now his thoughts are not ungant????, or on the new French Parliament,
Or the honours won on Elv????? and Waterloo,
But instead his blue eyes gaze back through the years now misted haze,
To boyhood days and bygones sad events.

CHORUS
Put your feeble hand in mine, let me take you back in time,
To the spring of '98 when freedom called,
When as a youth with fiery pride along with Kelly and McBride,
You marched to Tubberneering side by side

But your dreams were not to be, and like the Wild Geese had to flee,
To join Napoleon's army was your fate,
And when at night you shed those tears, and hope'd they'd wash away your fears,
And the memories of how things might have been.

CHORUS

Now the years have come and gone, and the fighting is all done,
'Twas in the French man's cause you had to toil,
While on a lonely Ferns Hill, a rusted plough is lying still,
No more in practised hands to part the soil

CHORUS

CHORUS (repeated with changed words)
Put your feeble hand in mine, let me take you back in time,
And on angels wings across the sea we'll fly,
Back to those days long, long ago, and with the friends we used to know,
We'll march once more down by sweet Slaney side.


Also, I know there will be a CD with a recording of this available on www.scalltamedia.com soon (over next month or so), from John Ennis - a Wexford traditional singer. It has just been released.

paul.

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: GUEST,Anne-Marie
Date: 22 Oct 08 - 04:49 PM

Hi

Just came accross this and am wondering does anyone have the lyrics
to the song Ferns Exile - would really appreciate it if you could email to me at [e-mail]

Thanks a million !!!

---

Lyrics sent by e-mail. -Joe Offer, July 2013-

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: GUEST,paulinwexford
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 04:02 AM

Thanks guys,

It must be Mick Galvin, I guess. I have tried Paddy Berry's books, and other '98 books but to no avail. I think it surfaced around the 1998 commemorations in Wexford - so it is recent.

I'll post the lyrics here soon - I have to type them out from the recording.

Thanks again,

paul.

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 12:11 AM

According to L & M Records, Mick Galvin performs THE FERNS EXILE on his album "At Home in Ireland."

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 05:28 AM

MARINER

As I'm sure you checked also, there's no mention of it in either of Paddy Berry's books of Wexford songs. Probably very recent?

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: MARINER
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 11:22 AM

With the reference to Tubberneering it sounds like a Wexford 1798 song but i can't say I've ever heard of it before. I would be interested in the words myself if anyone can help .

Subject: RE: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: GUEST,John
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 12:01 PM

Hi Paul, I have been searching for the complete lyrics of this song.
Can you send them to me or post them here.
Many thanks.

John
[e-mail]

Subject: Origins: Who wrote 'The Ferns Exile'?
From: GUEST,paulinwexford
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 05:18 AM

Hi,

A friend of mine is recording 'The Ferns Exile', and was told it was composed by Mick Galvin (from Kerry?)?

Is this true?

First line is:

'Bitter autumn breezes blow along the pier at port San Louis'

Chorus is:

'Put your feeble hand in mine, let me take you back in time,
To the spring of '98 when freedom called,
When as a youth with firey pride along with Kelly and McBride,
You marched to Tubberneering side by side.'

Thanks,

Paul.