Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry

Subject: Boreens of Derry
From: Michele
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 09:40 AM

On a 50's Elektra LP by Susan Reed I own, there is a strange and rare song called "BOREENS OF DERRY", listed as traditional, but looking like a literary piece. It's the only version I know. Can anyone provide right words? Thanks from Italy. Michele

Subject: Lyr Add: BOREENS OF DERRY
From: Áine
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 10:52 AM

Dear Michele,

Is this the song you're looking for?

BOREENS OF DERRY

Come and let us wander through the long boreens of Derry
Come take the byroads and wander with me
For it's there we'll find the sorrell and the scarlet roanberry
and the clust'ring yellow hazel hanging high on the tree.

We'll spread a couch of ivy 'neath the shadow of the willow
While the blackbirds and thrushes pipe their tuneful melody
With your brave hand in my hand and your bosom for my pillow
Making life a glimpse of heaven in the mirror of your eyes.

See how the silver swan there and the corn creaks indiscreetly
While the cuckoo-like nightingale makes her music in the tree
And the sound of boy and girl there ringing o'er the meadow sweetly
For in Derry all sounds seem harmonious to me
For in Derry, all sounds seem harmonious to me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry
From: Michele
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 02:06 PM

Thanks Aine (Irish I suppose!), yes, the text you've posted is what I was looking for. It's the first time I send a message; I'm surprised at your kindness and quickness. Do you know source and other versions of this song? Thank you again. Ciao, Michele

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 12:54 AM

Susan Reed did, indeed, do a beautiful job on the song----with her harp---it was an old 78 rpm record I taped long ago and transferred to a cassette of favorite songs.

Somwhere else---on another favorites tape---is this same song done by the remarkable songster JOE HICKERSON. Former head of the Archive Of Folksong at the U.S. Library Of Congress, Joe, an old friend, recently retired after 33 years (I think) at the L.O.C. He and I will be hosting a hear, show and tell seminar about where the songs are to be "found" -- what were our sources and who were our mentors. This will be at the FOLK ALLIANCE REGION MIDWEST (FARM) confab in beautiful Lake Geneva, Wisconsin --- October 13 to 15 . Joe's voice is not a trained one, but I really love the way he does this song. It's on one of his fine albums for Sandy at FOLK LEGACY.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry
From: Áine
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 08:08 AM

Dear Michele,

I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to find a source for this song. I'm still looking though.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 08:39 AM

Áine

The title is listed in the contents of Herbert Hughes' "Old Irish Melodies; selected from the Bunting Manuscripts", of which I don't have a copy. Published early 2oth c., I imagine. Bruce O may, perhaps, have a copy.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 01:28 PM

Sorry Martin, I've never even heard of that book by Herbert Hughes before. I can't find a "Boreens of Derry" listed in the index to Donal O'Sullivan's edition of Bunting's manuscripts.

The song is the last on the LP 'Susan Reed sings Old Airs', Elektra 126. I've never run across the song elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Boreens of Derry
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 04:39 PM

Thanks Bruce. There's a copy in the Irish Traditional Music Archive, in Dublin. I'll have a look next time I'm in.

Regards