Origins: Carrick-a-Rede (Cathie Ryan)

Subject: RE: Origins: Carrick-a-Rede
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 24 - 06:34 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: Carrick-a-Rede
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 May 20 - 03:34 PM

It is quite an experience to walk the bridge, which is on Northern Ireland, just along a bit from the Giant's Causeway. There's a man with a wind meter at one end: they close the bridge if the wind velocity is over 50mph: the day we went it was about 49! It takes you across to a small rocky island. Scary stuff, wobbly, and so high off the ground!

This part of the song describes it exactly:

One step and two, hold tight, let go
Twenty and four, hold tight, let go
I’m nearly there, let go, let go

Subject: RE: Origins: Carrick-a-Rede
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 23 May 20 - 04:02 PM

Oops. Cathie.

She wrote it.

https://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/ryan.htm

Subject: RE: Origins: Carrick-a-Rede
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 23 May 20 - 03:57 PM

Here is Cathy Ryan singing it.

Subject: RE: Origins: Carrick-a-Rede
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 23 May 20 - 10:28 AM

What specifically, Joe? There are many references through Google books, almost all of which mention the rope bridge built ages ago by salmon fishermen I think. A Google of

carrick-a-rede, song history

Will take you there. The song is lots younger than the bridge, however.

Subject: Origins: Carrick-a-Rede
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 May 20 - 01:24 AM

Any idea about the origins of this song?

CARRICK-A-REDE
(Cathie Ryan & John Doyle))

I’ll walk the miles from Ballintoy
No shining moon to light my way
Across the fields of Larrybane
And the rope bridge where my love waits

The fishermen lie in their beds
The salmon spawn in Moyle’s blue sea
And you lie there upon the grass
Waiting for me on Carrick-a-rede

Chorus:
One step and two, hold tight, let go
Twenty and four, hold tight, let go
I’m nearly there, let go, let go

I will find you where you lie
And steal in soft under your coat
We will tell our stories, love
And sing our songs out, every note

(Chorus)

Your sweet kiss will bring the rest
Your mouth on my mouth, wave on wave
We will meet the sea’s loud roar
No better way to cheat the grave

One step and two, hold tight, let go
Twenty and four, hold tight, let go
I’m nearly there, let go

(Chorus)

Let go, let go