Lyr Req: Sweet Carnlough Bay (McKay)

Subject: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: Den
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 08:07 PM

I looked for it in the database honest I did and to no avail. I have some people visiting from Co. Antrim, right from Carnlough or "Carn la" as they pronounce it and I wanted to play it for them when they come to visit. I remember the melody from deep in the recesses somewhere but the words have gone so any help would be greatful. Up Down Den

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEET CARNLOUGH BAY (McKay)
From: Brakn
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 09:27 PM

When winter was dawning o'er high hills and mountains
And dark were the clouds o'er the deep rolling sea
I spied a fair lass as the daylight was dawning
She was asking the road to sweet Carnlough Bay

I said "My fair lass, I surely will tell you
The road and the number of miles it will be
And if you'll consent I'll convey you a wee bit
And I'll show you the road to sweet Carnlough Bay

You turn to the right and go down by the churchyard
Cross over the river and down by the sea
We'll stop at Pat Hamill's and have a wee drop there
Just to help us along to sweet Carnlough Bay"

Here's health to Pat Hamill, likewise the dear lassie
And all the young ladies who're listening to me
And ne'er turn your back on a bonnie young lassie
When she's asking the road to sweet Carnlough Bay


Regards Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: John Moulden
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 08:51 AM

The tune is the same as the "Road and the Miles to Dundee" - of which the song is a version.

(From County Antrim)

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: Philippa
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 09:07 AM

I agree on the similarity of the two songs, but I DON'T hear them to the same airs. Both songs are on the database at this site (I haven't listened to the database audial)

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: Den
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:30 AM

Thanks a million Mick hope I can return the favour.

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: John Moulden
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 04:31 PM

I don't hear identity but there is close correspondence.

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: Murray on Saltspring
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 03:05 AM

The tune in Colm O Lochlainn's "Irish Street Ballads", 1939, p. 188, is what I call the Antrim tune, and if it's a relative of the common "Road to Dundee" tune, it's a bit far-flung. But that latter tune is a NEW tune to the song, since it was applied to it around the turn of the century maybe. Previously RtoD was sung to the same melody as "The Lass of Glenshee" etc., a sort of haunting minor tune (whereas the modern air is in a major). [That original tune is in e.g. Ord's Bothy Ballads, 1930.] [The unique American recording is in Edith Fowke, Trad. Singers & Songs from Ontario, 1965; and the singer uses the old tune--the "Lass of Glenshee" itself being common in Ontario.] When you compare the Antrim tune with the old one, there is a closer resemblance; but I really think they're separate. I have heard yet another tune [from Co. Tyrone] sung to a version of the Irish words.

Incidentally, the Bracken text should have "brawling" in the first line, not "dawning", which is an anticipation of the third line. Cheers Murray

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: Brakn
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 03:22 AM

Murray, I only put that in because it was an alternative version that I have here. I think I would also use brawling.

Subject: RE: Sweet Carnlough Bay
From: GUEST,joe
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 12:30 PM

theres many versions i prefer the wolfe tones personally

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sweet Carnlough Bay (McKay)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 12:40 PM

This song is the same tune as the 'Road to Dundee' and I never knew that this song exists but what I would like to know is who wrote that song of Carnlough Bay. I have heard the road to dundee and played it so many times for my gigs when we were called Braveheart with my friend Martin and I also remember another song to that same tune called 'Princey and Gene' sung by Charley Allen but i do not know who wrote that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sweet Carnlough Bay (McKay)
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 11:24 AM

First time I heard "Carnlough Bay" was sung by Eddie Furey - recorded must have been late 1960s. It's only listed as "Trad, arr. Fureys" on the CD I have of it now. There may have been more information on the LP sleeve, but I can't help more than that.