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Origins: O Maire Bhan aka Song of the Wild Geese
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Subject: Origins: O Maire Bhan aka Song of the Wild Geese From: gravyben Date: 16 Sep 13 - 01:54 PM I'm looking for information -- origin, composer, aliases, whatever -- for a song billed on Tim & John Lyons' _Easy & Bold_ as "Goodbye (O Maire Ban)." It's a lovely tune that appears to reference the exile of Irish Jacobite soldiers to the continent after their defeat at Aughrim. I believe it's also called the Song of the Wild Geese and perhaps the Song of the Expatriates. Lyrics (more or less) are below. Does anyone have insight on this? I think the liner notes the Lyons album may have some info, but I bought the mp3 version :( Thanks! ---- Goodbye (O Maire Bhan) a/k/a the Song of the Wild Geese From John Lyons and Tim Lyons, Easy and Bold Sung by John Lyons O Maire Bhan, my Maire Bhan, I've come to say goodbye love My ship for France it sails at dawn, my fortune for to try love The cause is lost, a stoir mo chroi, all hope is now departed And Ireland's gallant chivalry is scattered, broken-hearted How pleasant are our Munster vales, encrown'd in summer sheen, love But now no more, the autumn gales unfurl the flag of [greenlove] Soon how could I remain and see in ruin and dishonor O'er our valleys floating free, the foeman's blood-red banner? So better in far lands to roam, from Lee's green banks and thee love Than to live a coward here at home, to plighted vows untrue love So better ne'er to clasp thy hand or view those tresses shining Than to live a craven in this land, bow down in fetters binding Mo bhron, 'tis har to part from thee, my heart's own pearl, my true love And to wander in a far country and leave you sad and lone love But spring's bright flowers will crowd the glen and deck the faerie green bush And Druith's feet will pace again, the mountains of my childhood Farewell, farewell, mo mhuirnin bhan; time flies, I must away now 'Twill soon be dawn, 'twill soon be dawn, my horse begins to neigh now But still preserve that heart of thine as changeless as yon river And I will still be true to thee, anear, afar, forever! |
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