Lyr Req: The Two Conneelys (Christy Moore)

Subject: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: Callie
Date: 31 May 00 - 09:34 PM

The Riverdance thread which also mentioned the "Rivers of Sound" CD reminded me of a song on the latter, called "The Two Fishermen Coonneelys" sung by Christie Moore. It's a beautiful song about 2 fishermen who go missing. The opening lines are "in the Atlantic seethe and swell/hear the lonesome chapel bell/god save their souls and mind them well/the Two Fishermen Coonneelys"

Does anyone know anything about the song? I've never heard reference to it elsewhere. I'm also interested in knowing what the Irish Gaelic verse is about. Can anyone help?

many thanks Callie

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: alison
Date: 31 May 00 - 09:48 PM

yep it's in an old thread.. I'll go look

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: alison
Date: 31 May 00 - 09:54 PM

here's the words.. no translation of the gaelic.. if you don't have any luck.. message Aine.. I'm sure she'll give it a good try...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: Callie
Date: 31 May 00 - 10:04 PM

Wow! A big thank you! I guess this implies that Christy wrote it???

Very interesting about Synge's Chair. Should have thought of it!

I hear "drag the seaweed up the hill" instead of "throw".

I used to sing the song at sessions. This has inspired me to re-learn it.

many thanks. Callie

ps: going to Kiama?

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: alison
Date: 31 May 00 - 10:20 PM

no, not this time... but have fun

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 31 May 00 - 11:29 PM

If you get a chance, see the wonderful movie "The Secret of Roan Inish." In the movie we are told that the Conneally's (sp) of Ireland and Scotland can have silkies among them, people who change form from human to seal for magical reasons.

I have seen this same bit of folklore in a scholarly book, so they didn't just make it up for the movie. Keep this in mind when next you hear the song.

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: Callie
Date: 31 May 00 - 11:36 PM

I saw the film (actually saw it on a plane, so it was hard to hear the dialogue!). Obviously it is a surname very tied up with costal peoples. Thanks for the interesting info.

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 01:18 AM

Excellent movie.

Subject: RE: Two Fishermen Coonneelys
From: Áine
Date: 01 Jun 00 - 10:44 AM

Here are the Irish words and the English translation:

Dia libh a bheirt iascairí bhreátha
Nach mbeidh ar ais ar barr na trá
Go raibh sibh sona sásta ar neamh
Tomás is Seán Ó Conghaile

God be with you two fine fishermen
Who will not be back at the top of the strand
May you have peace and happiness in Heaven
Tomás and Seán Conneely

-- Áine