Lyr Req: Sweet Smerla Side

Subject: lyric request
From:
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 04:44 PM

need words for Irish folk song:- words remembered ' sweet smerla side ' song about two lovers in a woods.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lyric request
From: Zebedee
Date: 30 Dec 00 - 05:19 PM

Guest,

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of songs about 'two lovers in a wood'

The only (likely) thing I can find on the web about 'Smerla' are a couple of obscure references to the River Smerla in Kerry.

Do you have any more information at all? Who sang it, what the story is about, anything?

Ed

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lyric request
From: Haruo
Date: 31 Dec 00 - 12:16 AM

And next time put "Sweet Smerla side" in the subject line; "Lyr Req: lyric request" is a true statement, but not one that invites discussion.

Liland

Thread renamed as suggested.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lyric request
From: alison
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 04:28 AM

I think it could bee "Murlough" which is spelt "Moorlough" in the DT

see if these look familiar

click here

it is easier to keep trace of a thread, for you to find it again, and for others to look in if you put part of the title (or lyrics) into the thread heading.....

welcome to Mudcat

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lyric request
From: GUEST,yum yum
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 02:19 PM

touchy, touchy - - Liland. who got out of the wrong side of bed then?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: lyric request
From:
Date: 01 Jan 01 - 09:12 PM

Liland is pointing out that it's better to put the title or some significant information in the subject line.

Actually, it is a bit redundant, the way it is, now that I think of it.

Subject: Sweet Smerla Side
From: GUEST,Akison
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 03:24 PM

Alison, that's not it. I used to know the song, must my dredge my memory. I think the Wolfe Tones recorded the song? One of their lyric non-pokitical numbers.

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEET SMIRLA SIDE (from The Wolfe Tones)
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 12:22 PM

SWEET SMIRLA SIDE

'Twas on a bright morning in summer
As the sky larks sang bravely on high
And the sun it shone down most delightful
On all that lay under the sky

'Twas down by the woodlands I wandered
Down mucky green slopes I did slide
'Twas there I beheld a fair damsel
All alone by the sweet Smirla side

Oh my eyes they grew dim an a moment
All towards this fair maid I did go
Saying, "Tell me the cause of your troubles,
I am anxiously waiting to know."

She said, "I was courting a young man,
But the ocean do now us divide
Which leaves me to wander in sorrow
On the banks of the Sweet Smirla Side."

"Oh, he was the handsome young fellow
So hearty, so blythe and so free
And now when I think of my darling
More sorrow advances on me."

"Oh the fountains of nature are flowing
And my heart it is sorely annoyed
And my mind it is constantly waiting
On the banks of the Sweet Smirla Side."

(recorded by The Wolfe Tones)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sweet Smerla Side
From:
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 11:40 AM

philippa, thanks for the words, the first line came to me just before i opened the mudcat page. Mind i'll have to get hold of the record or tape etc to remember the song. Memories not too good ,getting on a bit! Still, many thanks to you for the research. graham

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sweet Smerla Side
From: GUEST,Brian BURKE
Date: 17 Jul 20 - 05:08 AM

It is based on the tale of two young lovers around Rathea / Mount coal in North Kerry where the river Smearlagh flows
He was wanted for poaching or some minor misdemeanour so hopped across the Atlantic for a spell but did return o er the tide to his Eileen so it had a happy ending
However according to descendants his good looks were wildly exaggerated!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sweet Smerla Side
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Jul 20 - 02:38 PM

Here's a YouTube of the Wolfe Tones singing this song, so you can re-learn the tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oni5hbH6k-Q