Lyr Req: The Singer Was Irish (Peter Dawson)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Singer Was Irish (Peter Dawson)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 12:25 PM

And here it is ....

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Singer Was Irish (Peter Dawson)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 12:23 PM

Thanks for the story, James. I think someone had asked me to find the song, all those years ago. I know I've heard the Peter Dawson version since, somewhere along the way.

Regards

p.s. "Renmore Crescent, Galway"? I lived in Chestnut Close, just off the playing fields, for several years in the late '90's!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Singer Was Irish (Peter Dawson)
From: GUEST,James Butler
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 11:53 AM

Hi Martin

I looked for The Singer was Irish to day see I found you and it

My Mother used to sing it for us children in the 1940ties it was our entertainment then

When I was in London working and studying, I lived in a bed sitter
and on Christmas Eave during the early 1960 I set off walking the streets of London on Christmas eve from say Shepherds Bush down to Parliament Sq and there was snow on the ground , it was an experience as I looked at the lights in the houses and the silence and the quiet streets and my loneliness and with these memories and as I sang lowly that song I walked back and went to Midnight Mass in Ashchurch Grove London w12 and now I am in the twilight of my time looking to see how I could hear you sing it on my desk top
bye and merry Xmas and Prosperous new year from James Butler 6 Renmore Crescent Galway

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Singer Was Irish (Peter Dawson)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Feb 13 - 11:36 AM

Have to confess I have no idea why I was looking for this one all those years ago! Glad it turned up, anyway.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Singer Was Irish (Peter Dawson)
From: GUEST,sarah
Date: 24 Dec 12 - 02:58 PM

This song is on the brady family of killegh offaly cd sang by adrian brady it is quite a long version

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SINGER WAS IRISH (Peter Dawson)
From: Uncle Andy
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 04:44 PM

Here's a version with an additional verse.

THE SINGER WAS IRISH

It was Christmas Eve in London.
And the snow lay on the ground.
Thro' a window of a cottage
I was passing came a sound.
Someone played an old piano.
As the hands stole o'er the keys.
I was taken back in fancy
To my home across the seas;
For she sang a song that filled my heart
With boyhood memories.

Chorus:
The singer was Irish, the song was Irish
And each note seemed to come from the skies.
The dear old refrain I heard once again
And the words brought tears to my eyes:
'Come back to Erin. Mavourneen. Mavourneen !'
Long I linger'd at the door
For the grand old song made me long
To be back in my home once more.

Evr'y word the singer uttered.
Struck a chord within my breast.
Seemed to bring a loving message.
From the place that I loved best.
Just as one who hears glad tidings.
I was filled with ecstasy,
For I knew it was the old land.
Softly calling unto me.
Through the medium of that angel voice
And the sweet melody.

CHORUS:

As the melody ascended
I could see so plain once more
The old home that I was born in
Nestling by the Shannon's shore.
And I saw a grey-haired woman
Take my hand in fond embrace
As she faltered out: ' Acushla.
When you leave the old, old place,
May the best of luck attend you,
In the world you're going to face.'

Subject: Lyr Req: THE SINGER WAS IRISH (Peter Dawson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Apr 10 - 11:18 PM

There is a recording at YouTube that comes from a cylinder recording by Peter Dawson. Here is my transcription. Note there is a part I couldn't get. The bibliographic data is from WorldCat.org:


THE SINGER WAS IRISH
Words and music by C.W. Murphy & Harry Castling
[London]: Francis, Day & Hunter, c1904

1. It was Christmas Eve in London and the snow lay on the ground.
Through a window of a cottage I was passing came a sound.
Someone played an old piano. As the hands flew o'er the keys,
I was taken back in fancy to my home across the seas,
For he sang a song that filled my heart with boyhood memories.

CHORUS: The singer was Irish, the song was Irish,
And the notes seemed to come from the sky.
The dear old refrain I heard once again
And the words brought a tear to my eye:
("Come back to Erin, mavourneen, mavourneen.")
Long I lingered at the door,
For the great old song made me long
To be safe in my home once more.

2. As the melody ascended, I could see so plain once more
The dear home that I was born in, nestling by the Shannon's shore,
And I saw a gray-haired woman take my hand in fond embrace.
"… macushla, will you leave the dear old place?
May the best of luck attend you in the world you're going to face." CHORUS

Subject: RE: The Singer was Irish....
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 14 Nov 00 - 04:31 AM

Thanks, Wolfgang - I'll have a listen when I have a chance.

Regards

Subject: RE: The Singer was Irish....
From: Wolfgang
Date: 14 Nov 00 - 04:25 AM

Martin,
I don't know the song, but here is a site which offers a real audio of a song the title of which is 'The singer was Irish' (Peter Dawson). I can't listen in the moment, but you'll find out whether this is the song.

Wolfgang

Subject: The Singer was Irish....
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Nov 00 - 03:16 PM

Anyone heard a song with the chorus: "The singer was Irish, the song was Irish
And each note seemed to come from the skies...

Its a sentimental, Christmassy song. I'm not having much luck pinning it down.

Regards