Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith

Subject: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: T J
Date: 25 Jul 02 - 06:32 AM

Come on folks - we were defeated first time around. Is the tune traditional? If so, maybe it could be posted somewhere. I was reading a sleeve note on a John Whelan album where it says he does a fine version but it does not appear on his CDs! Seamus Creagh does a version. That's all I know. Help... tj

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jul 02 - 09:51 AM

RA file here. I didn't listen but it's probably just a snippet. Only other thing I found was who has recorded it. No lyrics.

Subject: lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: T J
Date: 23 Aug 02 - 06:49 PM

This has been requested before but I am still searching. I am led to believe the tune is traditional. Any help.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,#
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 04:26 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVl7ZC3LQkY

John Whelan playing the lament at that link.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 06:33 AM

"The Lament OF Oliver Goldsmith" appeared on the "Fenwick's Window" (1991) CD by the Doonan Family Band on the Folksound label Serial No.FSCD 12 - no information about it though

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,#
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 07:58 AM

Go to YouTube and search for

"The Lament OF Oliver Goldsmith"

A half-dozen takes of it show up.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,#
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 09:04 AM

Séamus Shannon is the name that comes up most frequently with regard to the melody's authorship. The earliest date I have seen connected with the melody (on Google, and only after maybe 45 minutes of searching) is 1976. Perhaps there are some Irish-music researchers who could remark on the melody's provenance. ??

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,#
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 09:36 AM

I have no idea why I said Irish-music specifically. English or Scottish or Welsh or . . . Anyway, my apologies to anyone who feels bereft. It wasn't intentional.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 11:25 AM

This one is probably from a few years before 1976 :

Tom McHale - Lament for Oliver Goldsmith

I think 'Irish music' was appropriate enough, the composer is an Irish accordion player and most people playing the tune will be Irish traditional musicians. Firmly rooted there, I would say.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Lament for Oliver Goldsmith
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 12:04 PM

A notation of the tune can be found on thesession.org, by the way.