Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair

Subject: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 07:18 AM

On their CD Fuaim Clannad sing a song called The Green Fields of Gaoth Dobhair which starts off:

Down past Dunlewey's bonny lakes
One morning I did stray...

Apparently (I haven't seen them) they say in the liner notes that the song was given to them by Cathal O'Baoill (a collector) and that they fitted it to "an old Derry air".

Can anyone flesh out the songs origins?

Regards

p.s. This is NOT Francie Mooney's Gleanntán Glas Gaoth Dobhair nor its English translation.

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 07:28 AM

Just one reference in Roud index:

Click here

Regards

p.s. It's Item 3 in the subset produced.

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 07:57 AM

Incidentally, while there is mention of this song in some of the Gweedore/Gaoth Dobhair threads, including a set of lyrics, I'm hoping to focus this thread on the song's origins and history.

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 08:11 AM

Want me to Facebook a message to Moya and ask her?

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 08:16 AM

Bonnie

Yes please.

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 09:32 AM

OK, will do (gonna have a lunch break first tho!)

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 04:48 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: GUEST,Marianne Asjiki
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 08:21 AM

Hi Martin,

I have been looking again at the page in the Roud index, - it is just one page isn't it? that index has always confused me, I have been wondering if I have been missing some links I should click further on.

Is it really just so little they uphold there on so many songs?

I have always been disappointed when I got to that index, never quite sure if it was my inability to understand how it works.
What is strange is that when I contacted Cecil Sharp house, they said this song wasn't indexed, - so well done for proving that wrong.

All the best, - Batsheva, said I should perhaps talk to Len Graham about this song. Do you know how to get hold of him?

I have been trying through a friend of Batsheva's, that she suggested, but he hasn't answered me.

Bye for now

Marianne

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 10:15 AM

I've had no luck with the Facebook message - maybe it's been buried under tons of other posts, maybe she's on tour and hasn't seen it yet - but I'll wait another day or so and then try a mutual friend and/or a private email for her which I may still have (HD crashed a few months ago). Trouble is, if she IS on the road, he will be too cuz he's in her band.) But will persevere...

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 10:55 AM

Marianne

The Roud Index is invaluable - but is at its best when it can send you somewhere else for information! In this case the only reference is to a tape in the Ulster Folk Museum which is indexed in an article by Hugh Shields. Not much help.

Len Graham is one of several people I would think of asking about this one (John Moulden, who frequents Mudcat at times, is another). The Willy Clancy week in Miltown Malbay in a few weeks time will provide a chance to sound them out.

Regards


Bonnie
Thanks for trying - we'll get it in the end...

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: GUEST,Marianne Asjiki
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 07:22 PM

Thanks for clarifying all that Martin, - that is really great. And for your continual help, - I am so grateful to you, - I have spent many hours getting no where with this.
Bye for now Marianne


And to Bonnie, - thank you too for helping, very much. I did in fact also write to her on Facebook a while ago and haven't heard anything either. But then again I am a complete stranger to her.

Good night

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 10 Jun 11 - 03:31 PM

Rather than respond to a message Martin Ryan sent me through Facebook, I think I'll answer here.

I don't think I can add anything except to clarify the existing record:

When Clannad issued their recording on 'Fuaime' they said: 'An old song in praise of the parish from which we come. Cathal Ó Baoill (Charlie Joe Thimlin) sang the words of this Song to us which we set to a County Derry air.'

They mentioned this Cathal Ó Baoill (who, from his family names, must be local) in their acknowledgements and mention also another Cathal Ó Baoill describing him as 'Muinteoir'. I don't know whether the latter refers to the Co Down teacher, song collector and son of Seán Ó Baoil but it is certain that any linking of the singer of this song with the song collector is not justified.

Martin also cited the Roud index:
GREEN FIELDS OF GWEEDORE, THE; Down by Dunlewy's bonny lake one morning I did stray        Sound recording
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum collection (Holywood, Co. Down) No.6943/6945 Performed by Heraghty, James; Co. Donegal : Cloghaneely        1969; collected by Meenan, John

I consulted Hugh and Lisa Shields 1975 Index which is the source of the Roud entry. It makes it clear that James Heraghty was recorded twice, firstly by John Meehan who came from Tory but was working in Meenalaragh, Cloghaneely in 1969, and then by Hugh Shields who also copied Meehan's recording and lodged both his own recording and the copy in UFTM.

I've checked all the books of local history and of local poetry that I have from this area and can find nothing. I can only suggest that you try to question the Brennans, Maireadh NÍ Mhaoinaigh, and anybody else from the area you might know. I might try to ring Hudie Beg Gallagher who is an old acquaintance.

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Jun 11 - 07:46 PM

Many thanks for that, John.

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 07:33 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 08:28 PM

Nothing new gleaned at the Willy Clancy Week on this one - but a few more carrier pigeons sent out to possible sources of information!

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 07:19 PM

Hi, this could be the English version you are interested in.
It would be helpful in figuring its origins if it is known when it was written as it obviously concerns an exodus of the Irish from the Gweedore area, there could be several reasons for this.

The Green Fields of Gaoth Dobhair

Down past Dunlewey's bonny lakes one morning I did stray
Until I reached sweet Clady banks where the silvery salmon play
I strolled around through old Bunbeg and down along the shore
And gazed with admiration on the green fields of Gweedore

I visit Magherclocher on Middletown heights I stand
Beneath me lies the ocean wide and Machergallon strand
Those sandy banks so dear to me, those banks I do adore
Behind me lies sweet Derrybeg and the green fields of Gweedore

The bonny Isle of Gola and Inishmean so near
I see the little fishing fleet as it lies along the pier
I wander through the graveyard where those have gone before
That once lived happy and content by the green fields of Gweedore

I see sweet Inish Oirthir and far off Tory Isle
I view the ocean liners as they steam along in style
On board are Irish emigrants with hearts both sad and sore
As they gazed on old Tir Chonaill hills and the green fields of Gweedore

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: michaelr
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 09:10 PM

Thanks for that, Dennis. Could you please tell us where those lyrics came from?

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 04:05 AM

I found it on the webpage of Donal O'Shaughnessy via www.irishsongs.com.
I cannot however find a recording of it by him. There is a reference to Clannad and perhaps unfortunately to Francie Mooney. The Irish version is also on the above site.
At the bottom of the words is the following.
From: "Brian hOireachtaigh"
There is a contact email for Donal on the site who appears to be in New York.
Hope this helps

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 05:04 AM

Dennis

The Donal O'Shaughnessy site appears to contain only Francie Mooney's Irish language song and a translation of same. I don't see any sign of the Down Past Dunlewy's.." song?

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 07:20 AM

I think you may find there are two connections to this song, try them both.
You have interested me that much with this song I have just ordered "the ultimate Collection" from Amazon, I must hear it in full, having just heard snippets from various web pages.
Once I get this CD I will no doubt get the words used by Clannad. I am interested to see that the original CD (Fuaim) featured Enya, I presume this track will also.
I will advise you when I obtain my CD

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 07:35 AM

Dennis

All I can see are two links to Gleanntán Glas Gaoth Dobhair which appear to link to two identical pages with different reference numbers (494/495). Am I missing something?

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Jul 11 - 07:48 AM

OK - I've found it! Indexed under " THE Green Fields of..."!

;>)>

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 05:55 PM

Hi Martin

I have obtained the CD, it is very good.
A bit of a let down was that none of the words or music of the tracks was included.
The tune however is not too difficult to remember.
The words are identical to those I suggested earlier.
I am thinking about singing the song at my local folk club when I feel brave enough.

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: GUEST,Batsheva Battu
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 07:10 PM

I am coming for the first time in a very long time to see the newest developments about the song. Glad it sparked an interest in people in this song, and I'm sure Marianne found loads of help. many thanks. :.) PS And by the way, this is also my first post ever, though I very often read what others have to say! :.)

Subject: RE: Origins: Clannad's 'Green fields of Gaoth Dobhair
From: MartinRyan
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 07:49 PM

No need to be shy, Batsheva... (Mar is eol duit!)

Regards