abc file needed: The Key Above The Door

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 10:24 PM

Here are the lyrics, the song references several other Maurice Walsh books, too.

The birds are singing in the hills, while rivers run below,
Green rushes whisper in the glen, the soft winds gently blow,
A wretched woman weeps alone, the sun sinks lower and lower,
The quiet man is searching for, the key above the door.

When stranger bands roamed o'er the land, he joined the Fenian men,
The Kerry boys were well prepared, for trouble in the glen,
The road to nowhere turned dark with ugly alien gore,
The quiet man was dreaming of, the key above the door.

This hill is mine, this hill is mine, we'll hold with sword and gun,
No stranger's hand will take our land, while lonely rivers run,
From Ballygrennan on the hill, to Ballybunion's shore,
A soft voice whispers, "come my love," there's a key above the door.

I wish that I were young once more, to be a child again,
There I would meet the quiet man, who roamed the troubled glen,
I'd see the wretched woman smile, as the eagles proudly soar,
And green rushes whispering, there's a key above the door.

Seán Enright and brave Thomasheen, and John Joe loyal and true,
Though you have gone to your long rest, we will remember you,
You'll live forever in our thoughts, we love you more and more,
In the long night we'll dream about, the key above the door.

Now he whose pen spread magic tales, has left this earthly plane,
Dear Maurice, we'll remember you, we'll not forget your name,
Your stories they will never die, they live for evermore,
The quiet man, while rivers run, and the key above the door.

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 13 - 10:02 PM

Hello Mudcat
I am looking for the lyrics of a song called "The Key Above The Door" written by Sean McCarthy from Co Kerry Ireland. I believe it may have some connection with the books of Maurice Walsh of Listowel Co. Kerry, who wrote a book of the same title; he also wrote the short story that the film "The Quiet Man" was based on; starring John Wayne and Maureen O Hara

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST,Mersey Mc
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 01:06 PM

Thanks Mick that would be grand.

These are the lyrics I have for the song:

The Key Above The Door

As I came o're the mountain
The air was cold and clear.
I could see the dale before me,
A place I hold so dear.
I have seen the wide world over,
Yet I am drawn back ever more,
To the white house by the river,
With the key above the door

By the clear crystal fountain,
Down the long and winding lane,
Beneath the trees of birdsong,
I can see my friends again.
I can see their smiling faces,
Hear the talk of dreams and more,
In the white house by the river,
With the key above the door.

In the tavern by the roadside
I heard the old men sing
Of love and life and laughter
And all that seasons bring
Now the voices are just memories
Yet I hear them still I'm sure
In the white house by the river,
With the key above the door

So farewell to distant places
And the lonely roads and sky
Goodbye to all you travellers
I'll watch as you race by
I will look up to the long hills
And seek peace as ne'er before
In the white house by the river
With the key above the door

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 04:14 PM

I don't think it's the same thing Jack.

Mersey Mc - I can post an abc but you'll have to wait until I take the tune down. Might be tomorrow, but someone else might have it available before then.

Mick

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 02:15 PM

Is it the song described here?

http://chivalry.com/cantaria/mattie/mccarthy.html

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST,999
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 02:02 PM

It was indeed Alan Bell who wrote the song--it's included in his songbook. However, it would help if the OP could post a stanza or at least four lines.

????

Subject: RE: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 01:41 PM

Not in JC's tune finder
Not at The Session
Not in the Fiddler's Fake Book

I hope somebody else comes up with it.

Subject: abc file needed: The Key Above The Door
From: GUEST,Mersey Mc
Date: 29 Dec 11 - 10:56 AM

Hi Everyone
A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you all.
I am looking for the abc notation for the tune of a folk song called: The Key Above the Door. I think the songwriter was Alan Bell?
I have the lyrics but need the chords and hopefully an abc file/midi file/mp3 file of what the tune sounds like. I will keep my fingers crossed that somebody out there is able to help.
Many thanks.