ADD: Irish songs (lots of songs here)

Subject: Irish Songs in Midi
From: tremodt
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 08:05 PM

does any one have any sites for Irish and Scottish songs in a downoadable midi format

e mail [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Irish Songs in Midi
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 11:06 PM

Check out the links listed at this site. (Click on "links" at top of this page.) Check out "Folk Music of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales & America" and "Taylor's Traditional Tunebook." If that's not enough, follow the links at those sites. Then there are links at the Ceolas site, etc.

Subject: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 00 - 08:31 PM

This list was in the Help Forum. I wondered if anybody might be able to help with this list. I'll add line breaks and clean it up a bit.
-Joe Offer-

---

Subject: trouble finding lyrics
From: Rebecca
Date: 29-May-00 - 08:11 PM

I've recently become interested in Irish folk music and I have been racking my memory for the lyrics and melodies of songs that my grandmother used to sing to me. I'm happy to report that your website has been of tremendous help as well as my college's library. However there are still some songs that I just can't find. I can remember the melodies and thankfully I had the sense to write down the titles. Unfortunately I didn't have the sense to write down the words and thus have forgotten some of the lyrics. I am tired of mumbling through them. Please help. Following is a list of song titles and first lines (I think there're right). Bear with me because the list is quite long. Please help me find the rest of these songs.

Thank you, Rebecca

• "Ta Mo Chleamhnas A Dheanamh" (click and follow links within the thread) - Ta mo chleamhnas a dheanamh inniu agus inne (I found the Gaelic words but not the English ones)
• "Willie Taylor" or "William Taylor" - Willie Taylor and his youthful lover or William Taylor was a brisk young sailor (Click for Billy Taylor)
• "Gathering Pace" - It's on a day like today
• "There was a Lady" - There was a lady in her father's garden (check these -click)
  (See "There Was A Maid In Her Father's Garden" )
• "Dark Iniseoghain" - The maidens of beauty and sweet so forlorn
  (improved version)
• "The Galway Rover" (click) - I've the face of the stranger with the smile of the rover
• "I Once Knew a Pretty Girl" - Once I knew a pretty girl
• "Bonny Blue-Eyed Nancy" - How can I lay upon the top of a mountain
• "Carrigdhoun" - Uncharacter (?) 'neath his brow
• "A Night Visitor's Song" - I must away, love, I can no longer tarry
• "I Know my Faith is Worth Much More than Me" - I put my trembling hand upon my aching heart
• "Song in F" - Last night I heard your voice
• "Where are You?" - Where are you tonight? I wonder/And where will you be tonight when I cry?
• "Broken Wings" - Tall tree, turn and face the waves
• Clohinne Winds" - The shadows fell across the road
• "My Own Native Land" - There's a dear little isle in the westerly ocean
• "Banks of Claudy" - It was a summer's morning
  (Another version posted below by jayohjo)
• "When I Was a Fair Maid" - When I was a fair maid about 17
• "I'd Cross the Wild Atlantic" - Ah me, I must mourn my true love ever more
• "The Boys of Barr na Sraide" - O the tower (?) climbs the mountain and looks out upon the sea
• "O Ro Song of the Sea" - Out on the ocean deep, full sails, up, away (maybe Bheir Me O???)
• "High on a Mountain" (& click) - As I looked at the valley down below
• "The Humors of the King of Ballyhooley" (click) - I'll tell you how it was with me if to listen you are willing
• "Stor mo Chroi" - A Stor mo Chroi when you're far away
• "Blackwaterside" (check here also here but neither starts like your example) - I am a roving Irishman, you need not know my name
• "P for Patty" - As I rode out upon the May morning for to take a pleasant walk
• "The Rollicking Boys of Tandaragee" - Good luck to all here, my bar (?) and my cat
• "A Bucket of the Mountain Dew" - I'm on the little hill with a mean little still [also Real Old Mountain Dew]
• "The Song of the Riddles" - A gentleman's fair daughter stepped out that narrow lane
• "John Reilly" - Standing in yon flowery garden, a handsome young man, he passed me by
• "The Maid of Culmore" - Leaving sweet lovely Derry for fair London town
• "Mattie" - Mattie walk out on a frozen night, he was heading for the pub and he had no delight
• "Lone Shanakyle" - Far, far from the isle of the holy and grand
• "Shamrock Shore" - Ye brave young sons of Erin's isle, I hope you will attend awhile
• "Thousands are Sailing" - You brave Irish heroes wherever you be
• "To Welcome Paddy Home" - I am a true born Irishman, I'll never deny what I am
• "Erin's Lovely Home" - My father, he been a farmer, raised to industry
• "Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore" - O farewell thee well to Ireland, my own dear native land
• "Farewell and Remember Me" - Our ship is ready to bear away, come, come rage o'er the stormy sea (Farewell My Love and Remember Me
• "Fare Thee Well (Marianne)" - O fare thee well, my darling true, I'm leaving for Stower (?) o'er the morn
• "I'm Going Back" - There was a stand of oak trees beside my father's house
• "Shores of Amerikay" - I'm bidding farewell to the land of my youth
• "Wild Wind" At the foot of the mountain stands a high, high tree
• "Blackthorn" - So many men think that I am theirs because I sit with them, because I drink with them
• "Take it Down from the Mast" - You have murdered brave Lelan Rory (?), you have butchered young Richard and Joe
• "The Man from the Daily Mail" - O Ireland is a very funny place, sir, it's a strange and troubled land
• "Dungannon" - Some men went to Dungannon town to __? for the __?
• "British Army" - When I was young, I had a twist/For punching babies with me fist/And then I thought I would enlist/And join the British army (more verses & discussion)
• "James Larkin" - In Dublin city in 1913, the boss was boss and the poor were slaves
• "The Fluter's Ball" - Have you heard of Billy Fluter from the town of Ballymuck [better here (click)]
• "How are Things in Glocca Morra?" - I hear a bird, a Glocca Morra bird/It well may be he's bringing me a cheering word
• "Ireland, Mother Ireland" - O land of love and beauty to you, our hearts are wed
• "To Ladies' Eyes" - The ladies' eyes around o we can't refuse, we can't refuse
• "Bushes and Briars" - Through bushes and through briars, I lately took my way
• "Are Eirinn Ni Neosfainn Ce hi (For Ireland I won't Tell her Name) - There's a home by the wide evermore (?) that's sweep o'er the broad open sea

---

I guess that's the longest single list of requests I've seen. I'll look around and see what I can find, and change the ones I found into clickable links. Anybody else?
-Joe Offer-

---

Major contributions were made by

• Pene Azul, Blues Pianist (home of the bilingual pun)
• Malcolm Douglas
• Victoria H
• Mbo (who promised he'd post, but didn't - but he had really good intentions)
• Noreen
• Dan Milner, brother of Liam
• Philippa R.
• Wolfgang H.
• Jim C.
• Dan in Nova Scotia and Dave (the ancient mariner) - who gave sage advice

...Careful not to overlap, gang. We're starting to duplicate....

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Pene Azul
Date: 29 May 00 - 08:44 PM

Joe, I'll start at the bottom and work my way up.

PA

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 00 - 09:13 PM

Good idea, Pene - maybe we can meet in the middle. That one called "Broken Wing" (tall tree turn and face the waves) has me troubled. I'm sure Bok-Muir-Trickett sang something very close to that, but sometimes I'm sure about thisngs that aren't so sure... Anybody?
Pene, keep posting in separate messages, and I'll transfer your information into the first one and then delete your messages.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Clohinne Winds
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 00 - 09:17 PM

Say, I see from this message (click) that Mbo should know "Clohinne Winds." Somebody go wake him up and get him to post, willya?
-Joe Offer-

Mbo wakeup message sent....

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 00 - 09:34 PM

Dang, that Pene's fast!
Huff, huff...
-Joe, trying to keep up...

Subject: Lyr Add: WELCOME PADDY HOME ^^
From: Victoria H.
Date: 29 May 00 - 09:38 PM

Welcome Paddy home is an old favorite of mine too! :-) Good Luck!

---

WELCOME PADDY HOME

I am a true born Irish man,
I'll never deny what I am...
I was born in the sweet Tipperary, boys,
Three thousand miles from this land...

(Chorus)
Hooray me boys hooray,
No more do I wish for to roam,
For the sun it will shine in the harvest time,
To welcome Paddy home

Now the Scotsman may boast of the thistle,
The English may boast of the rose,
Ah, but Paddy can boast of the Emerald Isle,
here the dear little shamrock grows
(chorus)

In came the unwelcome stranger,
And settled all over the land,
The horse and the plough, the ox and the sow,
Fell into the stranger's hands
(Chorus)

Now the girls they're young and they're frisky,
They'll take you by the hand,
Saying 'Jimmy Mchree, won't ye come with me,
And welcome Paddy home
(chorus)

VH

Subject: Lyr Add: HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 29 May 00 - 09:48 PM

HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA?

How are things in Glocca Morra?
Is that little brook still leaping there?
Does it still run down to Donny-cove?
Through Killy-begs, Kilkerry and Kildare?

How are things in Glocca Morra?
Is that willow tree still weeping there?
Does that laddie with the twinklin' eye
Come whistlin' by and does he walk away,
Sad and dreamy there not to see me there?
So I ask each weepin' willow
And each brook along the way,
And each lad that comes a whistlin'
Too-ra-lay
How are things in Glocca Morra
This fine day?

How are Things in Glocca Morra

---

(words: E.Y. Harburg music: Burton Lane - 1946)
from the musical Finian's Rainbow

Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN WINGS
From: Victoria H.
Date: 29 May 00 - 09:56 PM

Cherish the Ladies have recorded a beautiful version of this song, on their CD "New Day Dawning" - available through Green linnet).......

BROKEN WINGS


Tall tree, turn and face the waves,
Are we running with the wind?
On high cliff top, we are waiting with the rains
For this journey to begin...

And these broken wings won't fly,
These broken wings won't fly,
These broken wings wont fly at all.....

See how we laugh...
Maybe we should call and beg to be excused....
We shout loudly with answers to it all,
But we have been refused...

And these broken wings won't fly,
These broken wings won't fly,
These broken wings won't fly at all.....

Girl child dancing with the wind,
Growing with the silver tree....
Your young questions, you ask me what it means,
Vut I am not at ease...

And these broken wings won't fly,
These broken wings won't fly,
These broken wings won't fly at all.....

VH

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST,Dan-Nova Scotia
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:01 PM

Hello Rebecca - I don't know how much help I can be but I might be able to point you in a few directions.

Bonnie Blue-Eyed Nancy was done by the Bothy Band on either the lp "Old Hag You Have Killed Me" or "Live in Paris" (I think it is a slightly different title.

A Night Visitors Song I think was recorded by the Tannahill Weavers but on which recording I am not sure. (Again I think it was another title)

Banks of Claudy I have heard several places but I believe there are also several versions in one of Helen Creighton's books, possibly Songs and Ballads From Nova Scotia.

Thousands are Sailing was on a Planxty lp I'm not sure of the title but it was one of their later recordings before the split. I think some of the words are:

You brave Irish heroes, wherever you be I pray attention and listen to me We're(?) leaving old Ireland no longer can stay And thousands are sailing for Amerikay (spelling is as it was pronounced)

Good luck with the rest and if I see any more I'll forward on what I can.

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:03 PM

If you have any that are hard to find I have found Paul Davis in Cape Breton to have a wonderfull collection of Irish songs and music. I am sure he would help. Here is his link click here Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE ARE YOU (Andy M. Stewart)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:42 PM

Where are You?  (Andy M.Stewart)

WHERE ARE YOU
(Andy M. Stewart)

Where are you tonight I wonder
And where will you be tonight when I cry?
Will sleep for you come easy,
Though I alone can't slumber
Will you welcome in the morning
At another man's side?

How easy for you the years slipped under
And left me a shadow the sun can't dispel
I built for you a tower of love and admiration
But I set you so high I could not reach myself.

I look through my window at a world filled with strangers
The face in my mirror is the one face I know
You have taken all that's in me, so my heart is in no danger
My heart is in no danger, but I'd still like to know

If there is a silence then it can be broken
If there beats a pure heart to her I will go
And time will work its healing and the spirit will grow stronger
Ah, but in the meantime I'd still like to know.

---

The challenge has been interesting, but in the rush I think we've forgotten something: we haven't told Rebecca how she could have found all these things for herself!

Malcolm

Actually, Malcolm, I did give her instructions, but on the "Help" Forum. I also gave her a link to this thread. After all this work, I sure hope she finds it, and leaves us a message telling us so.
It's a fun challenge, isn't it?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: REAL OLD MOUNTAIN DEW^^
From: Pene Azul
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:55 PM

Here's a more complete Mountain Dew from another site.

REAL OLD MOUNTAIN DEW

Chorus:
Ah didlee ay dum
ah diddlee ay dum
Ah doo ray diddlee ai ay
Ah didlee ay dum
ah diddlee ay dum
Ah doo ray diddlee ai ay

Let grasses grow and waters flow
In a free and easy way
Just give me enough of that fine old stuff
that's made near Galway Bay
The police men from old Donegal
Sligo and Lietrin too
We'll give them the slip and we'll take a sip
Of that real old Mountain Dew

At the foot of the hill there's a neat little still
Where the smoke curls up to the sky
By the smoke and the smell you can plainly tell
There's poiteen brewin near by
It fills the air with a perfume rare
But betwixt both me and you
When home we go you can take a bowl
Or a bucket of the Mountain Dew

Now learned men who use a pen
Have wrote your praises high
That sweet poitin from Ireland green
is stilled from wheat and rye
Put away your pills, it'll cure all ills
Be ye christian, pagan or jew
Take off your coat and grease your throat
With a bucket of the Mountain Dew

Subject: Lyr Add: CLOHINNE WINDS (Briege Murphy)
From: Pene Azul
Date: 29 May 00 - 11:04 PM

From another site: Clohinne Winds (This link also has a RealAudio file.)

---

I'm hoping Mbo will come and make corrections, but here are the lyrics Pene linked to. Max says that if we're linking to lyrics that would at all be of permanent interest to Mudcatters, we should POST the lyrics. Max's theory is that Mudcat is permanent, and other sites may not be.
-Joe Offer-

---

Clohinne Winds

(Briege Murphy)
recorded by Naimh Parsons and the Loose Connections

The shadows fell across the room as I lay down to rest
A storm was raging deep inside my head
I fell into a restless sleep
Of crazy changing dreams
But woke to find you standing by my bed
Clohinne winds were blowing when you called me
First you spoke my name
Your voice was still the same
You beckoned me and I arose
To follow where you led
Out among the wild Clohinne hills
The mountain mist had lent an eerie whiteness to the hill
The silver spider threadings caught my face
You darted through the bracken
Trailing stardust in your wake
I knew you’d stop beside our sacred place
Clohinne winds were blowing when you called me
First you spoke my name
Your voice was still the same
You beckoned me and I arose
To follow where you led
Out among the wild Clohinne hills
You stopped upon the fairy hill
Beneath the hawthorn tree
I thought I heard a lonely banshee wail
You held you hand towards me
And I reached to touch your face
But woke to find that you were just a dream
Clohinne winds were blowing when you called me
First you spoke my name
Your voice was still the same
You beckoned me and I arose
To follow where you led
Out among the wild Clohinne hills
The years have passed
And I am growing weary of this earth
The magic of the dream alludes me still
I’ve lain beneath the fairy tree
I’ve shouted to the moon
I am the haunted woman of the hill
Clohinne winds were blowing when you called me
First you spoke my name
Your voice was still the same
You beckoned me and I arose
To follow where you led
Out among the wild Clohinne hills
Out among the wild Clohinne hills

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 00 - 11:16 PM

OK, Malcolm and Pene, explain this thing to me:
You guys are getting your songs from the database in a different way from mine. My way, the links only work on the Fall 99 batabase, and I'm thinking your links are more permanent. Where are you getting them.
For example, I used the blue search box for "Ballyhooley, and got this
http://www.mudcat.org/!!-song99.cfm?stuff=fall99+D+7118811
Malcoml got the same song, but this way:
http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=6530&Title=THE%20KING%20OF%20BALLYHOOLEY

So, how are you guys doing it?

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Pene Azul
Date: 29 May 00 - 11:19 PM

Joe,

I've been using the Supersearch box. Sometimes, for some reason, it works better with all caps. In some cases, when I came up empty I searched on some of the lyrics she gave, or picked up on something in a found thread to search on.

PA

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 29 May 00 - 11:23 PM

From the new "Digitrad and Forum Search" thing.  I'd noticed the difference in the addresses, but I certainly don't understand it!

While I'm here, there are several versions of William Taylor at the  Bodleian Library Broadside Collection.

William Taylor Was A Youthful Lover

3 versions

All these are quite large .gif images.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Pene Azul
Date: 29 May 00 - 11:26 PM

Ballyhooley
in the supersearch box yields Malcolm's result.

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Margaret V
Date: 29 May 00 - 11:42 PM

Niamh Parsons sings "I Know My Faith Is Worth Much More Than Me" on her 1997 Green Linnet CD "Loosen Up." Margaret

Subject: Lyr Add: CARRIGDHOUN
From: GUEST,Jim.C.
Date: 30 May 00 - 01:07 AM

Carrigdhoun

Here are the words as I learned them as a child from my father, I hope this is the song you were seeking.


The heath is green on Carrigdhoun/
The sun is bright o'er Ardnalia
The dark green trees come trembling down/
To kiss the slumbering Owenabwee (Owen na Bui)
That happy day, twas just last May/
When like a dream to me/
When Donal swore Aye oer and oer/
We'd part no more a stor mo croi. (asthore machree)//

On Carrigdhoun the heath is brown/
The clouds are dark o'er Ardnalia/
And many the stream comes rushing down/
To swell the angry Owenabwee/
The moaning blast is sweeping fast/
Through many the leafless tree/
And I'm alone, for he has gone/
My hawk has flown, ochone machree.

Soft April showers and bright May flowers/
Will bring the summer back again/
But will they bring me back the hours/
I spent with my dear Donal then/
Tis but a chance for he's gone to France/
To wear the fleur de lis/
But I'll follow you my Donal Dhu/
For still I'm true to you Machree.


JC

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 30 May 00 - 01:16 AM

Good heavens, you've certainly been working on this thread, Joe!  Blackwaterside may possibly be one of the other songs with a similar name; again at the  Bodleian Collection, there's  Down By The Tanyard Side  and  Black Water Side: both worth checking out.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 May 00 - 01:39 AM

If you have RealPlayer, I believe you will be able to listen to "Clohinne Winds" and "My Own Native Land" if you Click here. Click here for the list of songs on these recordings, and here for a large selection of Green Linnet recordings to listen to online. Maybe you could even transcribe a few of the songs for us. We'd sure appreciate it. Just be sure to put <br> line breaks in every line, so the lyrics don't get all squashed together.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 May 00 - 02:04 AM

Green Linnet records has a number of budget-priced "Celtophile" CD's which have many of the songs you are looking for. On that looks particularly suited to you is called Songs from the Heart, which includes (among others) "I Know My Faith (Is Worth Much More Than Me)," "Where Are You," "Song In F," "Broken Wings," and "My Own Native Land." If you click on this link (click) you can access a number of Celtophile CD samples.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: I'D CROSS THE WILD ATLANTIC
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 May 00 - 04:56 AM

I'd cross the wild Atlantic

Wolfgang

---

I'D CROSS THE WILD ATLANTIC

Ah me, I must mourn my true love ever more
Though coldly forsaken it's you I adore.
And if you would return then I'd make you my bride
Or I'd cross the wild atlantic to be by your side.

On the mornin' we parted, how sad the farewell
Our words they were few, but our thoughts none could tell
And when lost to my vision far over the brine
I drank your success in a goblet of wine.

Three times have I crossed to the ship, as she lay
Becalmed on the breast of the silvery bay
And my crew are the bravest ever handled an oar
Unawed by the tempest, they laugh at its roar.

No ballroom can tempt me nor raise my despair
For there's none in the dance that with you can compare
And to watch the young lovers as they swing 'round the floor
Brings tears to these eyes that may see you no more.

And in beauty there's none with this lady can vie
She's as pure as the starts in the blue vaulted sky
She's as fair as a lily and as sweet as the rose
And there's nothing can tempt me her name to disclose.

No drink will I take for to lighten my heart
But the wildest adventures I'll take for my part
No woman on earth will I have for a bride
'Till I cross the Wild Atlantic to be by your side.

Ah me, I must mourn my true love evermore
Though coldly forsaken, it's you I adore
And if you would return, then I'd make you my bride
Or I'd cross the wild atlantic to be by your side.

WH

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Noreen
Date: 30 May 00 - 06:44 AM

Thanks for the Green linnet links, Joe- lovely to listen to, more CDs to buy!

I was thinking of typing in the words to "My own dear Native Land" but is it still worth it as they are available on audio there?

Regards,

Noreen

Subject: Lyr Add: ERIN'S LOVELY HOME
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:02 AM

Erin's lovely home

Wolfgang

---

ERIN'S LOVELY HOME
(traditional)

My father, he being a farmer reared to industry
He had four sons, two men who'd grown, and lovely daughters three
Our land's too small to serve us all so some of us must roam
Our friends may mourn for we'll never return to Erin's lovely home

My father, he sold the second cow and he borrowed twenty pounds
It being in the pleasant month of May we sailed from Belfast town
With thousands more we left our shore in safety to roam
Our friends may mourn for we'll never return to Erin's lovely home

We hadn't been long sailing when fever it seized our crew
Falling like the autumn leaves and overboard were threw
The ocean waves rolled o'er our graves, our bed the ocean foam
Our friends may mourn for we'll never return to Erin's lovely home

From The Music of What Happens (Cathie Ryan):

I learned the following song as a teenager from the singing of the late Geordie Hanna from Co, Fermanagh. It is about one of the many 'coffin ships' that sailed from Ireland in the mid 1800's during the worst years of the Famine. Of the million people forced to leave Ireland at that time, many sailed to North America on ships that had no standards of hygiene and were often unseaworthy. Tens of thousands of famine emigrants died, both at sea and after reaching land, as a result of 'ship fever'. There is no accurate accounting of those who died.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M GOING BACK (Cathie Ryan)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:05 AM

I'm going back

Wolfgang

---

From The Music of What Happens:
I'M GOING BACK
(words and music by Cathie Ryan)

There was a stand of oak trees beside my father's house
The wind blew through the leaves; I can hear it now
The smell of hay just stacked in the back field
Glowing gold in the summer heat
In the softness of the rain
I can hear us laugh again

Wake my heart, play the Bucks of Oranmore
Shake my mind, put the devil in the bow once more
Fray the hair, bend the note, lift the dancer's feet
I'm going, I'm gone
I'm going back to Ireland

You were the King of Dublin and I was your Queen Maeve
We ran headlong through the fields; we knew every lane
We knew the land had a wisdom of its own
Laying back on ancient stone
We heard the River Shannon sing
And we were never gonna leave

Chorus:

Through the tangled grass near the gorse
We would sit and plot our course
Back when my thoughts were so clear
Back in time when you were here

Chorus:
Ooooo I'm going back
Ooooo I'm going back
Ooooo I'm going back

© 1998 Wake the Neighbors Music ASCAP

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:21 AM

Carrigdhoun

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FALSE YOUNG MAN
From: AndyG
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:45 AM

I suggest that "P for Patty" might actually be a variant of The False Young Man

AndyG

---

THE FALSE YOUNG MAN

And `P' stands for Paddy I suppose
`J' is for my love John
And the `W' stands for sweet Willie-O
But Johnny is the fairest one

As I roved out on a May mornin'
A mornin' comin' clear
I leaned my head against the garden gate
To see two lovers dear

For to see two lovers meet my dear
And to hear what they might say
That I may know a little of their minds
Before I'd be on my way

It's sit you down on the grass he said
On the pleasant grass so green
It's been a long three-quarters of a year or maybe more
Since together we have been

Oh I'll not sit on the grass she said
Now or any other time
For I've heard that you're going with another pretty girl
And your hearts no longer mine

And `P' stands for Paddy I suppose
`J' is for my love John
And the `W' stands for sweet Willie-O
But Johnny is the fairest one

For when your heart was mine she said
And your head lay on my breast
You would make me believe with all of your deceit
That the sun rose in the west

So I'll not believe what an old man says
For his days'll not be long
And I'll not believe what a young man says
For he's promised to many-a-one

For he's promised to many-a-one she said
And many's the story he will tell
And when he's gained the pretty girl's heart
It's adieu pretty girl farewell

I'll climb a high, high tree he said
And I'll rob the wild birds nest
And I'll come down with wahtever I do get
To the arms that I love best

And `P' stands for Paddy I suppose
`J' is for my love John
And the `W' stands for sweet Willie-O
But Johnny is the fairest one

---

Trad: Irish
The Watersons

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:32 AM

Clohinne Winds was composed by Briege Murphy, not by Niamh Parsons
Song in F by Triona Ní Dhomhnaill, recorded with Touchstone. I'll type it out from memory later. Shouldn't we start separate threads for the various lyrics?

Thanks, Joe, for searching and making links to all those old threads. I don't think I'll check them out.

Alice Flynn might have Carrigdhoun

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:43 AM

I forgot to sign my name above. Maybe Joe will now add the clickable link to Song in F to the original list?

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: paddymac
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:43 AM

WOW! I hope you all realize what a real treasure you are! This thread will emphatically not be useful ONLY to the originator of the request. There are many, many more of us out here in the wilds of cyberspace who will be forever thankful for your work. Go raibh mile maith agat!

Subject: Lyr Add: CAPTAIN WEDDERBURN'S COURTSHIP
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 30 May 00 - 09:44 AM

Hi Rebecca!

"The Song of the Riddles" above is one of the so-called Child Ballads (#86), usually entitled "Captain Wedderburn's Courtship." I heard the late Joe Heaney, from Carna, Co. Galway, sing this song many times when he lived in New York. This ballad came to Ireland from Scotland but the story goes back to Roman times if not before. The version below is in my book, A Bonnie Bunch of Roses.

CAPTAIN WEDDERBURN'S COURTSHIP
(Traditional - Child #86)

A Gentleman's fair daughter walked down a narrow lane.
She met with Captain Wedderburn, the keeper of the game.
He said unto his servant man, "If it was not for the law,
I would have that maid in bed with me and she'd lie next to the wall."

"Oh, go your way, young man," she says, "and do not bother me.
Before I spend one night with you, you must answer my questions three.
Three questions you must answer me and I'll set forth them all,
Before you lie one night with me aand I lie next the wall."

"Oh, for my breakfast you must get for me a cherry without a stone,
And for my dinner you must get for me a bird without a bone,
And for my supper you must get for me a bird without a gall,
Ere you and I in one bed lie and I lie next the wall."

"Well, the cherry when in blossom it surely has no stone
And when the bird is in the egg it surely has no bone.
The dove it is a gentle bird and flies without a gall.
Now you and I in one bed'll lie and I'll lie next the wall."

"Oh, go your way, young man," she says, "and do not me perplex."
Before you lie one night with me, you must answer my questions six.
Six questions you must answer me and I'll set forth them all
Before you lie one night with me and I lie next the wall."

"What is rounder than a ring? What is taller than a tree?
What is worse than a woman's rath? What is deeper than the sea?
What bird sings best? What tree buds first and on it the dew first falls?
Ere you and I in one bed lie and I lie next the wall."

"The world is rounder than a ring. Heaven's higher than a tree.
The Devil's worse than a woman's rath. Hell's deeper than the sea.
The lark sings best. The oak buds first and on it the dew first falls.
Now you and I in one bed must lie and you lie next the wall."

"First you must get me Winter fruit that in December grew.
You must get for me a silk mantle that weft nor warp went through,
A sparrow's horn, a priest unborn to join us both in twa,
Ere you and I in one bed lie and I lie next the wall."

"My father had some Winter fruit that in December grew.
My mother had a silk mantle that weft nor warp went through.
A sparrow's horn is easily found, there's one in every claw,
And Mellisitik is a priest unborn and you'll lie next the wall."

The tune is usually called "Come All Ye Tramps and Hawkers" or "Paddy West."

Some of us, certainly, would be interested in hearing a little about your grandmother. She had an interesting repertoire of old and newer songs. Where was she born? Where did she learn her songs?

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 May 00 - 02:59 PM

Hi, Philippa - I dunno. I think it's probably best to have threads like this that are collections of interrelated songs, rather than have them scattered in separate threads. Of course, it's helpful if the SUBJECT box in messages has ADD: Song Title in it, but I'll get around to changing the errant titles in this thread, sooner or later.
You'll note that I have added the lyrics to several of the songs that people provided links to. The general policy is that if the lyrics have not been posted in the database or the forum, please post 'em, even if you've found them at another site (I would suppose that songs that are clearly not folk or blues would be an exception, and a link to them would suffice). If a song is already in the database or forum, don't post it again unless you have corrections or a different version - if we already ahve it, just post a link or search instructions.
I see that some of the songs we've found are quite recent, so maybe they're not the ones Rebecca's grandmother sang; or maybe they're modern versions of traditional songs (or maybe granny is MY age...).
Although I have linked to recordings of a couple of the songs, it would be nice if somebody could transcribe them. I don't have the time for that right now.
Ifg you have additional information on the history or background of any of these songs, please post it. It's a wonderful selection of songs, isn't it?
Thanks, everybody.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: MY OWN DEAR NATIVE LAND^^
From: Noreen
Date: 30 May 00 - 06:50 PM

MY OWN DEAR NATIVE LAND (Traditional)

There's a dear little isle in the Western Ocean
An island of purity, holy and grand
Whose name fills its daughters and sons with emotion
When heard on the shores of a far distant land.
It's Ireland, God bless her, the birthplace of heroes
The home of the patriot, warrior and sage
Of bards and of chieftains whose names live in story
May they live forever on history's page.

Refrain For I love every blade of grass, green on your mountain,
Every leaf on your tree, every rock upon your strand
I love your green hills and your murmuring fountains
I love you, a cuisle, my own dear native land.

You once were a proud and a glorious nation
Your name and your fame were known all o'er the world
'Til misfortune came o'er you and sad desolation
And the emerald banner in slavery lay unfurled.
They tortured your children, despoiled your green bowers
They tried to exterminate you long, long ago
But the Irish are somehow like wild, creeping flowers
The faster you pluck them, the quicker they grow.

Refrain

This is as I learned it growing up in the Liverpool Irish community in the 1960s, very similar to the 'Green Linnet' version referred to earlier in this thread. Presumably written abroad by an exile, but accepted as traditional then.

Yes, a wonderful collection of songs and memories- I've been singing these all day!

Regards

Noreen ^^

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:18 PM

Gee, we're close. I couldn't find "To Ladies' Eyes," but I found somewhere that it's a poem/song written by Thomas Moore. Will that help somebody find it?
There are several songs that mention Dungannon, but there's a message somewhere that makes mention of an Irish rebel song called "Dugannon Town." Anybody got it?
I don't thing we've found the "Blackwaterside" song Rebecca is looking for - or have we? "O Ro Song of the Sea" is still questionable, too. "Broken Wings" ain't here yet, either; and same with "I Know My Faith..." and "Gathering Place/Pace." I don't think Rebecca gave us enough to find "There Was a Lady" for certain, but at least we gave her a couple of links to look at. Oh, and "Wild Wind" is missing, too.
I'd say we've done well, and have a right to be darn proud of ourselves.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Noreen
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:26 PM

There's also 'Shamrock Shore' missing, after 'Lone Shanakyle' (wonderful song) but yes, an amazing achievement- bit like a quiz!

Noreen

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:42 PM

Sharp eyes, Noreen - I had left out an HTML <li> tag when I originally posted the list. Yup, "Shamrock Shore" is missing.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Pene Azul
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:53 PM

Joe, Victoria posted Broken Wings above

---

Oh, duh....
I know you told me about that, Pene, but I found and formatted the first song Victoria posted and thought that was the one you were talking about...
Thanks.
-Joe-

Subject: Lyr Add: LONE SHANAKYLE (Thomas Madigan)
From: Noreen
Date: 30 May 00 - 07:58 PM

Following up some links given above, a more complete version of Lone Shanakyle, with attribution, is here

Regards

Noreen

---

LONE SHANAKYLE

by Thomas Madigan (c. 1860)
sung by Dervish (At the End of the Day) and Deanta (Whisper of a Secret)

Far far from the isle of the holy and grand
Where wild oxen fatten and brave men are banned
All lowly and low in a far distant land
Do I wander and pine for poor Erin

-Chorus-
Lonely and sad I roam, far from my island home
Where the wild waves, surging foams, headlands appearing
Clouded in silv'ry spray, thrashing through heaven's bright ray
For the glory and pride of poor Erin

Sweet, sweet Inis Cathaigh that's sacred and blessed
A fit place for a saint or a warrior's rest
O God that a bear should be best of his brood
Who now bites your beauty my Erin

-Chorus-

How dearly I long to wander once more
To the old ones I left round my own cabin door
My blessings I give ten thousand times o'er
With a prayer and a tear for poor Erin

-Chorus-

Sad, sad is my fate in weary exile
Dark, dark are the night clouds round lone Shanakyle
Your murdered sleep silently pile upon pile
In the coffinless graves of poor Erin

-Chorus-

I am watching and praying through the length of the night
For the grey dawn of freedom my signal to fight
My rifle is ready my sabre is bright
For to strike once again for poor Erin

Lonely and sad I roam, far from my island home
Where the wild waves, surging foams, headlands appearing
Clouded in silv'ry spray, thrashing through heaven's bright ray
For the glory and pride of poor Erin

Subject: Lyr Add: SHAMROCK SHORE
From: Pene Azul
Date: 30 May 00 - 08:06 PM

Found at this site.

SHAMROCK SHORE

Ye brave young sons of Erin's isle
I hope you will attend a while
To the wrongs of dear old Ireland I'm going to relate
'Twas black and cursed was the day
That our Parliament was taken away
And all our grief and suffering commences from that day
Our hearty sons and daughters fair
To other countries must repair
And leave their native lands behind in sorrow to deplore
For to seek employment they must roam
Far far away from their native home
From that sore oppressed island that they call the Shamrock Shore

Now Ireland is with plenty blessed
But the people they are sore oppressed
All by those cursed tyrants we are forced for to obey
Some haughty landlords for to please
Our houses and our lands they'll seize
To put fifty farms into one and take us all away
Regardless of the widow's cries
The mother's tears and the orphan's sighs
In thousands we are driven from home which grieves our hearts full sore
We are fraught by famine and disease
We emigrated across the seas
From that sore oppressed island that they call the Shamrock Shore

Our sustenance is taken away
Our tithes and taxes for to pay
To support that law-protected church to which they do adhere
And our Irish gentry, well you know
To other countries they do go
And the money from all Ireland is squandered here and there
But if those squires would stay at home
And not to other countries roam
But to build mills and factories here to employ the labouring core
For if we had trade and commerce fair
To me no nation could compare
To that sore oppressed island that they call the Shamrock Shore

John Bull he boasts and he laughs with scorn
And he says that Irish man is born
To be always discontented for at home he cannot agree
But we'll banish discord from our land
And in harmony like brothers stand
To demand the rights of Ireland let us all united be!
Our Parliament and College Green
For to assemble 'twill be seene soon will have once more
Then dear old Ireland soon will be
A great and glorious country
And peace and blessings soon will smile all 'round the Shamrock Shore!

Subject: Dark Iniseoghain
From: Baba
Date: 30 May 00 - 10:45 PM

Oh oh oh! Wonderful songs! Can anyone help me with the lyrics to the Dark Iniseoghain link Joe provided at the very top of this thread, as the spelling of the Irish words is not tremendous (to be kind). Ta.

BABA

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 31 May 00 - 12:50 AM

Sorry that I missed the fun early in the piece. O Ro Song of the Sea sounds like it could be Hebridean but I don't have the resources to look at the moment. A possible source is Songs of The Hebrides Vils I - III from Marjorie Fraser Kennedy circa 1910.

'To Ladies Eyes' is on p112 of Walton's Treasury of Irish Songs and Ballads.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Wolfgang
Date: 31 May 00 - 06:07 AM

What a fun thread, indeed. Next week I'll post my list of wanted lyrics (slightly over 80) and I'll give you a night to work on it.

Wolfgang (grin)

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST,jack
Date: 31 May 00 - 08:11 AM

looking for lyrics for following songs ringsend rose,a song for ireland,sweet sixteen,the rose of allendale,

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 31 May 00 - 09:18 AM

Somehow I just knew this would happen.  Ok, Jack, check out these links:

The Rose of Allandale
Ringsend Rose
When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Song For Ireland

These songs are all lurking about here, either in previous discussions or on the Digitrad database itself; your best way of finding stuff for yourself is to use the "Digitrad and Forum Search" box on the main Forum Page; type in a title or partial title and see where it takes you.  Thoroughly absorbing, I guarantee.  Do also have a look at Joe Offer's FAQ thread at the top of the list on the main page; much vital info.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 03:57 AM

Yeah, just so we get this straight, let me explain that we're all volunteers here, and we do stuff because we like to do it. We like to help people find songs that are hard to find - it's a fun challenge.
HOWEVER, there is a point when we can get to where we feel "used" - especially when it appears the requester has made no attempt to find the lyrics at all. We also tend to feel "used" when the requester never comes back, or doesn't even acknowledge receipt of the lyrics. After all this work in this thread, I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever see Rebecca again.
We have several very good features to help people find things here, and we've worked hard to present the FAQ and other guides to help people understand how the Mudcat works. It really isn't very hard to find your way around here - you just have to look around a bit. If you've looked and can't find what you're seeking, we'll be glad to help.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: John Moulden
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 07:27 AM

Blackwaterside - Three songs are possible:

The Irish Girl (Down by Blackwaterside) The Blackwaterside (Sam Henry's Songs of the People p 461) (Laws O1) Blackwaterside (Voice Squad - Many's the Foolish Youth)

This is a surprising list to have been generated by anybody's grandmother. Several (at least three) songs written within the last fifteen years and a lot more which have become known only relatively recently. For example "Welcome poor Paddy Home" went from Willie McElroy to Cathal McConnell to everybody else; Long Shanakyle went from Straighty Flanagan to lots of people but has only become widely circulated in the last three or four years courtesy of Dervish and Deanta.

I'm a natural born cynic; far too many people claim things about these songs which can only be recognised as probably false by someone whose nose has been sensitised by years of poking it into song books and archives.

Subject: Lyr Add: BANKS OF CLAUDY^^
From: jayohjo
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 10:47 AM

BANKS OF CLAUDY

As I rode out one evening all in the month of May
Down by the Banks of Claudy I carelessly did stray.
I came upon a young maid in sorrow did complain
Lamenting on her own true love who had crossed the raging main

(CH) Aye-oh, aye-oh, he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart all on the walls of Troy

I stepped up unto her and caught her in great surprise
I own she did not know me for I was in disguise
I said 'My pretty fair maid, my joy and heart's delight,
How far d'you mean to wander on this dark and dreary night?'

'Oh the banks of Claudy I wish you would me show
Take on a fair young maid who has nowhere else to go
For I'm in search of a young man, young John it is his name
And on the banks of Claudy I hear he does remain.'

(CH)

'These are the banks of Claudy on where you do now stand
Do not believe your Johnny for he is a false young man
Do not believe your Johnny, he will not meet you here
Through the green woods you may tarry, no danger may you fear.'

'Oh but if my Johnny was here tonight he would keep me from all harm
But he's on the field of battle and in his uniform
He's on the field of battle, all danger does defy
Like a royal king of honour all on the walls of Troy.'

(CH)

'It's six long months and better since my Johnny left the shore
To cross the raging ocean where the thundering billows roar
To cross the raging ocean, for honour and for fame.'
'I heard his ship was wrecked all on the cruel coast of Spain'

As soon as she had heard this she fell in a deep despair
A-wringing of her lily white hands and a-tearing of her hair
Crying 'If my Johnny's drownded, no other man I'll take
Through lonesome woods and valleys will I wander for his sake.'

(CH)

As soon as he had heard this no longer could he stand
He flew into her arms crying 'Betsy I'm your man'
Crying 'Betsy I'm the young man who's caused you grief and pain
And since we've met on Claudy Banks we will never part again.'

(CH)^^

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Baba
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 03:28 AM

Thanks for the Dark Iniseoghain link! Wonderful!

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Fiolar
Date: 03 Jun 00 - 05:26 AM

Many of the songs mentioned above can be found on www.mp3.com Download and listen for free. Mike

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 08:16 AM

From the collection of the other songs looked for above I guess that "There was a lady..." actually means There was a maid in her father's garden.

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHORES OF AMERIKAY^^
From: browny
Date: 05 Jun 00 - 11:21 AM

Rebecca, bear with me I still have my learner's plates on as far as computers go never mind the Internet.

THE SHORES OF AMERIKAY

I'm bidding farewell to the land of my youth
And the home I love so well
And the mountains so grand round my own native land
I'm bidding them all farewell
With an aching heart I'll bid them adieu
For tomorrow I'll sail far away
O'er the raging foam for to seek a home
On the shores of Amerikay

It's not for the want of employment I'm going
It's not for the love of fame
That fortune bright may shine over me
And give me a glorious name
It's not for the want of employment I'm going
O'er the weary and stormy sea
But to seek a home for my own true love
On the shores of Amerikay

And when I am bidding my last farewell
The tears like rain will blind
To think of my friends in my own native land
And the home I'm leaving behind
But if I'm to die in a foreign land
And be buried so far far away
No fond mother's tears will be shed o'er my grave
On the shores of Amerikay

I hope this will assist
Browny^^

HTML line breaks added, and changed from all caps. --JoeClone, 10-Jul-02.

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: The Celtic Bard
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 11:29 PM

WOW!

That's all that I can say about the response that I got from all you guys. You all deserve a major pat on the back! You certainly have my heartfelt gratitude and eternal thanks.

I posted this thread over a year ago before I had become a member. In fact this was my first thread which should be painfully obvious considering that a fair amount of the songs that I requested were in the DT. The fact is that I have been quietly going about the DT collecting lyrics for these and other songs ever since. In doing so, I ran across this thread many times and I have found it immensely helpful. As I kept reading it, I thought several times that this person's story was surprisingly similar to mine and that her repertiore was almost identical to mine. It took a while for me to realize THAT IT WAS ME!

Again I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. Thank you for your patience with my bumblings and ignorance.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Rebecca <><

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: The Celtic Bard
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 02:18 AM

John is Brisbane, if you have to lyrics to "To Ladies' Eyes," POST, POST POST!

Thank you.

Rebecca <><

Subject: Lyr Add: BANKS OF CLAUDY
From: Peg
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 11:58 AM

Well I would also like to add some "improvements" to Banks of Claudy, taken from Loreena McKennitt's version:

BANKS OF CLAUDY

1. As I walked out one morning all in the month of May
Down by a flowery garden I carelessly did stray
I overheard a young maid in sorrow did complain
All for her absent lover who ploughed the raging main.

2. I boldly stepped up to her and put her in surprise
I know she did not know me, I being in disguise
I said, "Me charming creature, my joy, my heart's delight
How far have you to travel this dark and dreary night?"

3. "I'm in search of a faithless young man, Johnny is his name,
And along the Banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain."
"This is the Banks of Claudy, fair maid, whereon you stand,
But don't depend on Johnny, for he's a false young man.

4. No don't depend on Johnny, for he'll not meet you here
But tarry with me in yon green wood, no danger need ye fear."
"It's six long weeks or better, since Johnny left the shore,
He's crossing the wide ocean, where the foam and the billows roar."

5. "He is crossing the wide ocean, for honor and for fame,
But this I've heard, the ship was wrecked, along the coast of Spain."

5. And it's when she heard this dreadful news, she flew into despair,
By the wringing of her milk-white hands, the tearing of her hair.
Saying "If Johnny he be drown-ed, no man nor love I'll take,
But through lonesome groves and valleys I'll wander for his sake."

6. And it's when he saw her loyalty, no longer could he stand,
He flew into her arms, saying, "Betsy, I'm the man!
I am that faithless young man, the cause of all your pain,
But since we've met on Claudy Banks we'll never part again."

Peg

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: Peg
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 12:02 PM

Also, just a nitpicky thing, but the title is actually "P Stands for Paddy" not "Patty"....as far as I know...

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST,the blackwater side
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 09:17 AM

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 06:22 AM

look up irish freedom songs on internet

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: GUEST,Eileen
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 12:42 PM

I was in ireland last year and heard a song in a pub called "the rooster" (I beleive that is the name) the musician told me it was wriiten by a group call Brown brac. One year later and a search of Ireland, I have come up with nothing. Can any one help.
Thanks.

Subject: RE: Seeking Irish Lyrics
From: MMario
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 12:48 PM

that's not a lot to go on. Any words you remember - or the subject/story of the song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish songs
From: GUEST,Joxer
Date: 17 Apr 09 - 07:31 AM

Re: The post above about the Geordie Hanna song "Erin's Lovely Home:

"My father, he being a farmer reared to industry
He had four sons, two men who'd grown, and lovely daughters three".

I have a recording of Geordie singing this song and the line sounds more like " he had four sons to manhood grown" - it makes a bit more sense to me.

Geordie only sings these three verses but I've always felt there must be a few more verses to this great song, but I've never been able to find any.

Anyone out there with any ideas on this?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish songs (lots of songs here)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 02:43 PM

Beautiful song. "alludes" should be "eludes."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish songs (lots of songs here)
From: GUEST,Prom night:
Date: 20 Aug 21 - 04:55 AM

Prom night:
Can you add to the words of this lyric...
'i just popped in to say hello, i'll only stay a while, I want to see how you're getting on I want to see you smile...' ??

Subject: ADD: The Homes of Donegal (McBride)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Aug 21 - 06:01 AM

Hi, Prom Night - The song you're seeking is an interesting song called "The Homes of Donegal," written by Sean McBride and arranged by Paul Brady. I found the lyrics here:

The Homes Of Donegal
(Sean Mc Bride/ arranged Paul Brady)

I’ve just dropped in to see you all
I’ll only stay awhile
I want to hear how you’re getting on
I want to see you smile
I’m happy to be back again
And greet you big and small
For there’s no place on earth just like
The homes of Donegal

I long to see your smiling children
Standing by the door
The kettle boiling on the hearth
As I walk up the floor
And then to see a welcome free
For travellers one and all
For your hearts are like your mountains
In the homes of Donegal

I’d like to stay along with you
And while away the night
With fairy lore and tales of yore
Beside the turf fire bright
And then to see laid out for me
A shake-down by the wall
For there’s rest for weary wanderers
In the homes of Donegal

The time has come for me to go
And bid you all adieu
For the open highway calls me back
To do these things I do
But when I’m travelling far away
Your friendship I’ll recall
And please God I’ll soon return unto
The homes of Donegal

Donegal, Pride of all
Donegal, Pride of all

Copyright Waltons /Round Hill Music


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk8foQOQVk0

This song was written by Seán McBride in about 1955. Seán was a native of Cruit island which is in the Rosses area of Donegal (West Donegal). He was a school Teacher at St.Baithins school in the Carrigans/St.Johnston area (East Donegal) for most of his life. Seán passed away at the age of 90 in August 1996 and is buried on Cruit Island.

Seán only wrote the lyrics, the actual air itself is maybe 150 or more years old. There are many songs around using the same melody, but to my ears the closest one is a song called "The Faughan Side", This song was part of the Curriculum in national schools in East Donegal and as Seán was a Teacher in the "Laggan Valley" (South Inishowen) I'm pretty sure that is where he got his inspiration for the "Homes of Donegal".

This version by Paul Brady is from his 1985 album "Back to the Centre"

Subject: RE: ADD: The Homes of Donegal
From: Felipa
Date: 24 Aug 21 - 03:03 PM

There are two entries for The Homes of Donegal in the Digital Tradition
https://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=6460 - and also song id 9751

There is also a discussion at https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=67229#1122176

I know of two parodies (and expect there are others)
The Holiday Homes of Donegal by James McEldowney aka Séamus Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, and The Crumbling Homes of Donegal by David Craig.