Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan

Subject: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: TradFan984
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 11:15 AM

Hi

Would anyone know the lyrics and/or the origins for the Banks of the Callan. It's an Armagh song and was sung by (I think) Sarah Makem.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 09:02 PM

This Google Search makes me think the song is quite well-known, but I can't find the lyrics. I'm sure if you watch this thread, somebody will post the song. The most interesting entry was this one (click) from a book called The Companion to Irish Music, by Fintan Vallely:

Peter Vallelly (1926-    ). Singer. Born Derrynoose, County Armagh. Reared by his mother, a singer, he picked up songs at house sessions and dances in childhood, but particularly from aunt Kate McAtavey (nee Mooney) - from whom he got 'The Banks of the Callan' - and uncle John Mooney from whom he got 'At the Foot of Newry Mountains.' Neighbour Sarah Makem was also a big influence. He recorded for RE with Ciaran MacMathuna in 1956, and with Johnny Pickering's Ceili Band. His daughter Patricia plays fiddle and sings professionally.

Theree's a Banks of the Callan CD, a collection of traditional songs from County Armagh. "Banks of the Callan (Keady Town)" has also been recorded by Pat Woods, who calls himself "The Bard of Armagh" (and who apparently has recorded a Jerry Rasmussen song).

Also note this:

Callan River is a river in County Armagh, Northern Ireland which joins the River Blackwater 1.6 km upstream from Bond's Bridge. It is navigable by dinghy or canoe for 2 km to Fairlawn Bridge. It flows in a generally northerly direction from Tullnawood lake, past Darkley, passing within a few miles of Keady town, through Tassagh and on to Armagh. The Callan River, flowing by the city of Armagh, and the Tall River, running by Richhill, join together, and the united steam enters the Blackwater one mile below Charlemont[1]

The area upstream of Armagh has many former linen mills that were built to use the waterpower of the river. There is also a viaduct at Tassagh that once carried the railway line from Armagh to Keady.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: TradFan984
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 01:28 PM

Thanks Joe. I know I did a google search too but couldn't find the lyrics. Thanks for the background info.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: TradFan984
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 01:33 PM

Would anyone know where to find the lyrics? Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 10:59 PM

Sure seems like somebody would know this song. If you don't get a response in the thread, send a personal message to Martin Ryan (click) and put him on the case. He'd been known to search for years for songs (so have I).

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: Peace
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 11:03 PM

http://www.selectmp3music.com/blackthorn/swift-and-sloe_133299/#


Available as a download--price reasonable, imo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 04:11 AM

I might get a chance to check out the Traditional Music Archive in Dublin tomorrow...

Regards
p.s. Joe: it's not so much that I search for years... rather that, with the company I keep (between people and books), I'll almost inevitably fall over a song eventually!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: GUEST,mrsmac
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 07:27 AM

This would have been a popular enough song around Armagh at a time - probably the reason why i never learnt it. The 1st verse goes something like

As i went a walking one evening in June
The black feathered songsters their notes they did tune
I spied a fair damsel as the sun it went down
on the banks of the Callan near sweet keady town

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 08:45 AM

Oddly enough, a first pass through the ITMA archive drew a blank. I'm working on it...

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 12:49 PM

Got it! The song is, in fact, usually called Sweet Keady Town - which I should have realised earlier, given the verse supplied. Words are promised.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: TradFan984
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 06:10 AM

Thanks very much MartinRyan, that's great! It's been a hard song to find the words for and I am really keen to learn it.

Subject: Lyr Add: BANKS OF THE CALLAN
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 09:56 AM

As promised, words and notes from a CD by Pat Prunty:
_______________________________________________


BANKS OF THE CALLAN

As I went a-walking one evening in June
For to view the green fields and the meadows in bloom
I espied a wee lassie as the streams they ran down
On the banks of the Callan near Sweet Keady Town

Well I stood in delight while this fair one did sing
The hills and the valleys with echo did ring
The thrush and the blackbird their notes they did sound
For t welcome this fair one to Sweet Keady Town

I stepped up to her and I asked her her name
I asked her her dwelling and where from she came
Young man, she made answer, my dwelling is found
On the banks of the Callan near Sweet Keady town

Says I my wee lassie if you will agree
We will both join in wedlock and married we'll be
I'll dress you in rich attire, your joys I will crown
On the Banks of the Callan near Sweet Keady Town

To marry, to marry kind sir I am too young
Like all other young men you have a false flattering tongue
And my aged parents, on me they would frown
If I go and leave them in Sweet Keady Town

Now since you won't marry will you tell me your name
You have told me your dwelling and where from you came
And some other evening when I'm strolling round
I'll chance for to meet you in Sweet Keady Town

To praise this wee lassie I feel much inclined
She is neat, tall and handsome both comely and fine
With hair o'er her shoulders in ringlets hang down
I will style her the primrose of all Keady Town

To bring to a finish I will now bid adieu
To the fields around Keady and Swet Annvale too
It's true that I love her, I will make her my bride
And we both will be happy on the old Callanside.

Words from the handwriting of song collector, Rachel Cornett, deceased, of Moss Road, Darkley – probably written down from the singing of a co-worker in Darkely Mills in 1950's or earlier.

________________________________________________ Posted by Martin Ryan cookie-less___________________________

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 05:39 PM

Thanks very much for posting the lyrics, it's much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Oct 09 - 04:10 PM

If you need the air of the song check out Catherine Grimley (Ulster Scor Champion 2009) singing "The Banks of the Callan" at the Tommy Makem Festival. You can find it on you tube!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 03:15 AM

Click here for a link to Catherine Grimley's video.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 06:41 AM

2009 Ulster Scór Champion Catherine Grimley from Madden Co Armagh has made the song her own in the past year. Check out her performances on You Tube and also a website all about her: http://catherinegrimley.yolasite.com/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callan
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Oct 11 - 10:33 AM

Sarah Makem's version has just been reissued on the Musical Traditions set of her songs - as CD1 Track 14.
Click here for the sleeve notes and lyrics.

Regards