Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree

Subject: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Iain Greig
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 12:11 PM

Can anyone please supply the tune andor lyrics for Ar Erin and Erin go Macree. My spelling could be a little dubious on these two.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 06:49 PM

iain

A bit more info would help! Couple of words? Hint of a chorus? First one might be "Ar Erin ni nosfainn ce hi" (apologies to the Gaelgeori for the laziness!) AKA "For Irelan I'll not tell her name".

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Iain Greig
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 04:38 AM

Ar Erin ni nosfainn ce hi is the title of one og the songs I am after. Thanks for getting me this far. Any more info will be much appreciated. Iain Greig

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Iain Greig
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 09:13 AM

managed to find out a bit more. I beleive it is from pw joyc'es "Irish music and song"1888. I cannot locate a copy though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Mían
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 11:49 AM

looks like the other might be Éirinn Grá Mó Chroí...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Mían
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 12:48 PM

found a couple of CDs but not sites yet with lyrics/tunes.

Click here

In the search by artist section, type in "Dervish" and check out the listing for the album "At The End of The Day". If you have RealAudio you can hear the clip of Ar Éirinn ní neosfainn cé hí.

I also found listings for it at this website: Click here

As far as the other, Erin Gra Mo Chroi, I found references to a CD called "At the Racket" and a recording by the Boys of the Lough called The Fair Hills of Ireland (apparently not on CD?)... still would be looking but I really should get back to work...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: iain greig
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 03:49 PM

My thanks to both martin Ryan and Mian for your help. You hopefully have given me enough data to pursue my search. Thanks again. Regards Iain

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Håvard
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 10:44 PM

I think you can find the Boys of the Loch's (Cahal McConnel's) version of "Erin Gra Mo Chroi" on a compilation from the Celtic Connection in Glasgow in 1995 or 1996.
I've got it at my apartment, but I'm home for Christmas now
.... By the setting of the sun, when my long days work was done
I went down to the seaside for a walk......."

Håvard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From:
Date: 24 Dec 99 - 05:38 PM

Erin Gra Mo Chroi is also on Colm O'Donnell's 1999 Bogfire recording "Farewell to Evening Dances" and on Rita and Sarah Keane's most recent recording, which I believe is called "At the Setting of the Sun," but I'm not sure.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Mían
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 08:27 PM

Thursday Eve I was a-browsing in the used books store on Irving and about 23rd Avenue in San Francisco & came across a songbook from circa 1903 - 1912 or so. One of the pieces in it was called Droherin MaCree or some such (i.e., Deartháirín Mo Chroí - Little Brother of My Heart) which probably isn't the same song but was interesting none the less. I'll see if I can remember to bring it in (of course I bought it).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Iain
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 08:39 AM

I would be interested to see the lyrics to it. Thanks

Subject: Lyr Add: DRAHERIN-O-MACHREE
From: Mían
Date: 28 Dec 99 - 01:51 PM

DRAHERIN-O-MACHREE
From a poem by the Bard of Thomond

I grieve when I think on the dear happy days of youth
When all the bright dreams of this faithless world seemed truth,
When I strayed through the woodland as gay as a midsummer bee,
And I loved as a sweetheart my Draherin-o-Machree.

He went to the wars when proud England united with France,
His regiment was first in the red battle charge to advance.
But when night drew its veil o'er the gory and life-wasting fray,
Pale, bleeding and cold lay my Draherin-o-Machree.

Now I'm left to weep like the sorrowful bird of the night;
This earth and its pleasures no more shall afford me delight.
The dark narrow grave is the only sad refuge for me
Since I lost my heart's darling, my Draherin-o-Machree.

HTML line breaks added, and excess HTML deleted. --JoeClone, 24-May-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Iain
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:49 AM

Thanks Mian.I thought that having the correct spelling would help me track down the two songs easily, but they seem highly elusive. I guess I'll have to buy the CD's and ask my kids in Ireland to transcribe for me. Thanks for your help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Angun
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 07:33 AM

Hi, I think you can find the lyrics to the song " Erin grà mo chroi" on Dervish´s homepage. The song is on their latest CD "Midsummernight"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn'tknowanybetter
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 05:24 PM

I believe Dervish's new CD has Erin Ghra Mo Croi on it but I'm not sure. I've seen Cathy sing a fine version of it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Áine
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:20 PM

Dear Iain,

Click here for the lyrics and historical notes for 'For Ireland I'll Not Tell Her Name' and a link to the thread in which this song was discussed back in April of this year.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Iain
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 10:25 AM

Thanks to all who responded. I now have not only the correct spelling, but the lyrics as well. Thanks again

Subject: Lyr Add: ERIN GRÁ MO CHROI (from Colm O'Donnell)
From: Alice
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:36 AM

ERIN GRÁ MO CHROI
as sung by Colm O'Donnell

At the parting of the sun
When my daily work was done
I rambled down the seashore far awa'
And I being all alone, I sat down upon a stone
For to gaze on the scenes of New York.

O then Erin Grá Mo Chroi
You're the only land for me
You're the fairest that my eyes did e'er behold
You're the bright star of the west
You're the land St. Patrick blessed
You're the dear little isle so far away.

It broke my mother's heart
The day that I did part
Will I ever see my dear folks any more
Not until my bones are laid
In this cold and silent grave
In the dear little isle so far away.

On a cold, cold winter's night
With the turf fire burnin' bright
And the snow flakes falling on a winter's day
When St. Patrick's day it comes
And the shamrocks will be worn
In the dear little isle so far away.
O then Erin Grá Mo Chroi
You're the only land for me
You're the fairest that my eyes did e'er behold
You're the bright star of the west
You're the land St. Patrick blessed
You're the dear little isle so far away.

Alice

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: ERIN (from Steeleye Span)
From: Alice
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 10:37 AM

Here is a different version than the one I just posted by Colm O'Donnell - just called "Erin", as done by Steeleye Span. It says "traditional" at this site.click here Does anyone know who wrote the lyrics?

Verse 1 [G]At the setting of the[C] sun
When my [D]long day's work is[G] done
I went out along the [C]sea shore for a walk
And I [Em]being all [C]alone
I sat [G]down upon a[C] stone
To[G] gaze upon the[D] streets of[G] New York

Chorus
Erin grá mo chroi
You're the dear old land to me
You're the fairest that my eyes have ever seen
And if ever I go home
From you I never will roam
From my own dear native land - far away

Verse 2
With the turf fire burning bright
On a cold dark winter's night
And the snow flakes falling gently to the ground
When St. Patrick's day comes 'round
We'll wear the shamrock green
In my own dear native land - far away

Chorus

Verse 3
Well it broke my mother's heart
From her I had to part
Will I ever see my mother any more?
When her body it is laid
In the cold and silent grave
In my own dear native land - far away

Chorus

Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 10:50 AM

Alice

Have you seen THIS interview with Joe Heaney? Doesn't answer your question - but the Roud reference number might be worth following up.

Regards

link edited by mudelf

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Áine
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:07 AM

And here is the link to the main page of the interview, which is an index and has separate links to specific parts of the article.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:16 AM

Yes, I did read that interview. I didn't recall the reference to this song.

Alice

Subject: Lyr Add: ERIN GRÁ MO CHROÍ (from Joe Heaney)
From: Alice
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:28 AM

Well, to get this into the DT and forum, here is the version of the song as Joe Heaney sang it (I like this one best, both in meaning and flow of the words).

ERIN GRÁ MO CHROÍ
as sung by Joe Heaney

At the setting of the sun, when my daily work was done,
I wandered to the sea shore for a walk.
I being all alone, I sat down upon a stone,
To gaze on the scenery of New York.

Chorus:

Oh Erin grá mo chroí, you're the only land for me,
You're the fairest spot my eyes did e'er behold.
You're the bright star of the West, and the land St Patrick blessed,
You're far dearer than silver or of gold.

The turf will burn bright on the hearth at home tonight,
The snowflakes will fall fast on a Winter's day.
St Patrick's day will come and the shamrock will be worn,
In my own native isle so far away.

Chorus:

It broke my mother's heart when from her I went to part.
Will I ever see my darling any more.
Not until my bones are laid in a cold and silent grave,
In my own native isle so far away.

Chorus:

Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:42 AM

Alice

Who wrote it? At the moment, I can't even pin down a copy in print. Have you seen it anywhere?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 12:08 PM

No, I've only found it on the internet in reference to these recorded versions, as posted earlier.

Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 09:12 AM

I recorded an mp3 of Erin Grá Mo Chroí using more or less the version that Joe Heaney sang - you can hear it AT THIS LINK.

Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Sabine
Date: 15 Mar 01 - 03:09 PM

Lovely song, one of my favourites. But I am unable to listen to that mp3 file! I had to fill in a form and then, when I was waiting to hear it they gave me the same form. Really upsetting!

Greetings,

Sabine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 22 May 02 - 10:10 AM

Martin, I do now have the lyrics in print after purchasing Joe Heaney's "The Road From Connemara" CDs. In the CD notes, the lyrics have some comments by Joe, but nothing that revealed the author. It does have Roud 14056 next to the title. I don't know if that is different than the Roud # in the interview - haven't compared it to the web site we discussed in another thread that includes parts of the interview.

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 22 May 02 - 10:14 AM

Alice

In my copy of Roud, that number is skipped! Searching on the title or first line fails to show it eiher. Strange.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Brían
Date: 24 May 02 - 11:12 AM

Alice I found something interesting on this song, although not the songs author. There is an Irish laguage song with the the title, AN TRÉIGEAN(THE DESERTION). the author is credited to a Tom Sailí Ó Flaithearta. I don't have any idea how old the song is. Never to contradict myself, I did find one reference to this name as actor in a play here: Cré na Cille. there is is one verse I found particularly interesting:

Shuigh mé síos liom féin ar an Tulláinín úd féir,
San áit ar chéadléirigh tú do ghrá dom
Dúirt an ghealach liom is na réalta, is an ghaoth i mbarr na gcraobh
Gur éalaigh tú thar sáile uaim le náire

This roughly translates to:

I sat myself down alone on yonder grassy land,
The spot where you first proclaimed your love to me
The moon and the stars told me as the wind in the top of the branches
That you slipped away across the ocean with shame.

In the English version, the author rhymed alone and stone in the same way the Irish Language version rhymed féin and féir.

This indicates to me that the author of the English Language song was aware of not only the melody, but the Irish Language song and had some Irish as well.

Brían

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 24 May 02 - 07:47 PM

This mystery interests me. I hope more information is uncovered.

Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 05:07 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 01:47 PM

The old mp3 hosting site is gone, so I uploaded to another site. For the audio, click the small green arrow button next to the title of the song.Erin Gra Mo Chroi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 04:51 PM

Alice,
Would you have the notes or chords to this song? Or is it all in G?

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: Alice
Date: 17 Mar 11 - 05:50 PM

Refresh to an updated link, as the old mp3 links that I posted are gone. Unfortunately, I had to edit this to just the first verse and chorus for time constraint.

Erin gra mo chroi sung by Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin and Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Mar 11 - 11:26 AM

Thanks for doing that, Alice. It's lovely.

I've transcribed a MIDI of it. I'm changing it to G so it will fit on a recorder or flute. I'll send it to Joe for posting.

The last time I did that, there were server problems, so we'll just have to see...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 22 Mar 11 - 12:22 PM

i know that:

erin = Ireland
mo   = my
chroi = heart

But what is 'gra'?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: MartinRyan
Date: 22 Mar 11 - 12:31 PM

gra (with an accent on the a) is pronounced "graw" and means "love"

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 22 Mar 11 - 06:32 PM

thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Mar 11 - 02:20 PM

There will be a delay of a few days until the MIDI can be posted. After that, anybody who is interested in playing the tune can find it here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Mar 11 - 09:40 PM

YouTube has several recordings of Erin Grá Mo Chroí

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Elizabeth
Date: 03 Aug 13 - 09:12 PM

Hello every body from this chat.
I'm writing my MA thesis on traditional Irish songs from University of Limerick.
Does someone know the Author of this song "Erin, grá mo chroí" and the year where he/she composed it?
Thanks amillion
Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: KT
Date: 04 Aug 13 - 12:18 AM

Hi Elizabeth!
According to the notes from my Cherish the Ladies' CD- THE GIRLS WON'T LEAVE THE BOYS ALONE, it is traditional, ie, around for a long time with no known author to credit. Others here may have more info than I found on it. Lovely song, and lovely rendition by Cherish the Ladies, by the way.

All the best with your thesis -

KT

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Aug 13 - 02:52 AM

KT
"around for a long time with no known author to credit!"
I'm pretty sure this is correct.
We recorded this from Clare singer the late Tom Lenihan of Miltown Malbay some thirty years ago - hadn't heard it before, nor have we come across a traditional version of it since.
All the modern renditions appear to be identical to Tom's - though far more mawkishly sung than he ever did (pace of singing basically)
I thought it might have been in Robert J Wright's indispensible 'Irish Emigrant Songs and Ballads', but I can't find it there; though the book is so large and poorly indexed that it still might - will look properly later.
Irish collector, the late Tom Munnelly recorded Tom L. extensively; he didn't include the song on his the cassettes/book collection of Tom's songs, Mount Callan Garland, but if he did record it from him it will be in The Delargy Centre in University College Dublin and it will be fully annotated.
We too recorded Tom Lenihan extensively over twenty years, so we might have some indication of where it came from on the tapes - will check that later too.
Tom got some of his songs from an old 19th century Irish/American songbook entitled (I think) One Thousand and One Irish Songs - it may have come from there; if so, it is possible that The Irish Traditional Music Archive in Merrion Square might have some information - that's the first place I would look anyway.
For me, Tom's rendition makes the song one of the most beautiful of the 'Emigrant lament' songs - brought a lump to the throat immediately I read the mention of its name here - it lifts it way above much of the over-sentimentalised stuff that is to be found in profusion from the emigrations.
Good luck,
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Elizabeth
Date: 04 Aug 13 - 02:02 PM

Thanks a million KT and Jim Carrol. It helps me. I searched on efdss and VWML online archives and I did'n find anything about author. But do you know something about a possibly year (or cerca) of collection or composition? would it be writtten after or before the grat famine? maybe between 1860 and 1910? what do you think?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 04 Aug 13 - 02:57 PM

Elizabeth:
Most of the songs of this type came in the latter half of the 19th century and I am cfairly certain this is the case here
A phone call to the ITMA archive should settle it one way or the other
I haven't had time to revisit the Wright book - the weather, damn it - too good to escape the garden.
Will check again tonight
Good luck,
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 02:49 AM

Checked Wright's 'Irish Emigrant Songs and Ballads' - surprisingly the song isn't included.
Re-listening to our recording, I'm convinced that it's a pre-famine song, though ITMA should be able to confirm or deny this.
Anybody interested in Irish Emigration songs who doesn't know about this book really should try to get their hands on a copy - it's a remarkable (and enormous) collection
Unfortunately it's badly indexed - I spent some time a few years ago re-indexing it for my own use; if anybody wants a copy, PM me.
Elizabeth - I don't suppose by any chance you are Anne from East Kilbride's friend (from Glasgow Ballad Workshop)?
I sent her a selection of Irish songs for passing on to someone taking a course at Limerick Uni.
If so, pass on my regards.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 03:17 AM

I forgot to mention that, should all else fail, our friend John Moulden is a treasure trove of information on Irish songs and their provenance - probably one of the best informed in the country.
He is an occasional visitor to this site and either ITMA or Limerick Uni will have a contact address for him.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 04:41 AM

Sorry - me again
A bit more information (some of it picked up while I was buying my newspaper)
Tom Lenihan learned the song from a 'semi-itinerant street singer-ballad seller Billy Nevin from Kilrush some time in the early 1930s - he heard him singing it while selling ballads at the local street cattle market.
Not sure how old Bully was, but everyone here (in Miltown Malbay) refers to him being 'old' - he was tragically killed in a road accident circa 1935, which would but his date of birth somewhere in the early half on the 19th century (1860/70)
The practice of ballad sellers was to write out for, or recite the songs they sold to a printer who produced them to order.
If Nevin followed this practice, and if Tom's version is the sole traditional source it is highly probable that the song came from oral tradition rather than from another printed source.
Jim Carroll
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Guest Wellington NZ
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 03:46 AM

Hi not sure how mudcat threads work but I chose this one - Erin gra mo chroi means Ireland love of my heart and is a lament for emigrants from Ireland for their own native land. When I was out doing my half marathon today to Eastbourne today getting sunburnt on my face I was singing this song while running on the seashore then I started wondering which seashore was the boy or girl on gazing at the scenes of New York ? Anyone know. By the way Ive heard lots of versions and many variants out there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Guest Wellington NZ
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 03:47 AM

Only coz im going to NY City later this year and would love to go to that seashore and play the song while there gazing upon the scenes of New York !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Guest Wellington NZ
Date: 27 Feb 19 - 03:53 AM

more on this I was gazing on the scenes of Wellington across Port Nicholson but was too far away really to 'gaze upon the scenes' some kms so Im picking it must be right there in the heart of NYC and apparently it has heaps of beaches from a quick web search - I didnt think it had any !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST,Guest Wellington NZ
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 04:47 AM

ok guys so I have to write about this for St Patricks Day on TerraCeltiche as promised so stand by I'll post what I can find out soon. Finished my work for the night so looking forward to getting stuck into this !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 04:48 AM

I'll start with

Erin : word used in poetry for Ireland
Gra mo Croi - love of my heart.

Ireland Love of My Heart

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 08:40 AM

https://celticandhistoryobsessions.music.blog/2019/03/12/erin-gra-mo-chroi-is-rockaway-beach-queens-truly-the-sea-shore-in-the-song/

Hi here's where I got to put it in my blog site. As usual I made some of it up ! Couldnt find the origin. Looks like an emigrant lament - just speculated the sea shore and the scenes of New York - a good candidate - maybe the only candidate is Rockaway Beach as has a huge Irish community by Irish descent 25% second largest in America (by proportion of the community according to a wiki link) - you can see the Manhattan skyline but was there one in the 19th century ? Help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 09:21 AM

"Hi here's where I got to put it in my blog site. "
Sorry - your link doesn't work
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Iains
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 11:02 AM

https://celticandhistoryobsessions.music.blog/2019/03/12/erin-gra-mo-chroi-is-rockaway-beach-queens-truly-the-sea-shore-in-the-s

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ar Erin + Erin go Macree
From: Iains
Date: 11 Mar 19 - 11:09 AM

Slightly different words below to the ones that I am familiar with:

https://www.joeheaney.org/en/erin-gra-mo-chroi/