Info: Flower of Magherally

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 01:17 PM

Stumbled across this thread again while making up a database of the songs I sing.

I had forgotten about the question of the great titeratally or titherally in the furth verse.

Does anyone have any idea about this?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: open mike
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 03:29 AM

This is on the new recording by Greenhouse, from Santa rosa, CA.
I also see it on a world music sampler disc from Oasis...a disc manufacturer..Hooray, MichaelR!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 07:19 PM

It isn't on Kevin's album 'I Sang That Sweet Refrain', but the Boys of the Lough recorded it for their BotL III album.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 05:52 PM

EKAnne - as I pointed out in my earlier post on 19 Feb, Anni Fentiman attributes her version to Kevin Mitchell!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,EKanne
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:37 PM

Robbie -- there is certainly one male singer with this song in his repertoire and that is the wonderful Kevin Mitchell, originally from Derry but resident in Glasgow for about 40 years.
He has several recordings, but I'm not able to access my lists to see if Magherally is on any of them.
I'll come back to this thread if he has.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: zozimus
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 03:45 PM

Sorry to disappoint you, Robbie, but people who have researched the song are convinced she was a "Lady of the Street", and did'nt do freebies.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 11:28 AM

I love this song and sing it often, however I have never heard another man sing it even though the lyric is definitely a mans lyric.

All the versions mentioned in here, except Boys of the Lough, are by women. Perhaps this is because the melody really suits that lovely lilt which Irish women singing so often have.

Incidentally, I can't remember where I read but this is a bit of a Romeo and Juliet, forbidden love song; the final verse referring to people frowning on a cross community relationship. Not an unknown situation in the sisx counties.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,good version finder
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 07:11 PM

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=2306466

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: ard mhacha
Date: 27 Jul 09 - 07:20 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua43mh8uojY

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: ard mhacha
Date: 27 Jul 09 - 07:18 AM

A lovely recording by the late Eileen Donaghy,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua43mh8uojY

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,mediva_faye
Date: 26 Jul 09 - 07:08 PM

There is a beautiful recording of this song by a young lady named Pauline Scanlon, but sadly it's not on youtube, It is on an album called 'Hush'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 07:11 PM

Mai Hernon does a lovely version of it too (though I can't find one on Youtube)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: michaelr
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 06:40 PM

Check out this rocking version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,Phyllypd
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 05:44 PM

Hi it's actually my new favorite video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyQvQPT-8ks

This song is very much like the Star of the County Down.

http://www.crumbles.info/flowers_of_magherally.htm chords here.

Cheers,

Phyllypd

www.myspace.com/skeandubhgroup

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 06:11 PM

Sung unaccompanied by Anni Fentiman on Together Solo, recorded in 1993 - a version she learned from Kevin Mitchell.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:18 PM

Cara Dillon's version is also available on the first Evolving Tradition CD, and very lovely it is too. The entire CD is fab for what it's worth.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:02 PM

Apologies for misinformation. "Magherally" is not on "Inspiration", but it IS on "Live In Glasgow".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 12:10 PM

Cara Dillon recorded the song with the band "Oige" when she was around sixteen. It was only ever released on cassette tape, and the cassette title was "Inspiration". I'm pretty sure she also recorded it on a "Live" recording they made in Glasgow. I seem to recall that recording was subsequently released on CD, but may be hard to find these days.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,MRSMAC
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 07:34 AM

Cara Dillon was almost certainly the singer in question. She was in Oige many years ago as a teenager.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,Liam
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 07:41 AM

Hi Sophie, Cara Dillon is a young folk singer who has worked a lot with Seth Lakeman - listen to his albums if you haven't already. I worked out the guitar for Altan's version of F of M a few years ago, for a girl I know who wanted to sing it. I have scribbled it down somewhere, and I'll have a look - it's all C, Am, Dm, F, etc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flower of Magherally
From: GUEST,Daniel
Date: 26 Jan 08 - 12:35 PM

James Keelaghan, a canadian folk singer, also does a beautiful rendition of this song. If you have time to check it out, you certainly won't be dissapointed

Subject: Chords Add: THE FLOWER OF MAGHERALLY (from Altan)
From: GUEST,Volkert
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 02:15 AM

I just worked out the chords for Altan's version of "The Flower of Magherally."
If the line breaks work on this post, each line of chords will represent each line in the first verse. I think they do some different variations on other verses.

Dm        Am7        Bbmaj7        
Gm7        C9        G7/B
Dm   Am7        
GaddD        C9        Dm2 - Dm
F    C
Dm    Am7
Dm    Am
GaddD   Am   Bb   C

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh/Flower of Magherally
From: BB
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 06:04 AM

Certainly Cara Dillon is young and blonde, and quite capable of singing the song. Whether or not it was her, I wouldn't know.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh/Flower of Magherally
From: Fergie
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 08:39 PM

Niamh Parsons does a faboulous rendition of this song. Well worth a listen

Fergus

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh/Flower of Magherally
From: pavane
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 04:40 AM

Also been recorded by Boys of the Lough

Subject: ADD Version: Flower of Magherally
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 04:22 AM

The Flower of Magherally

It was on a summer's morning,
When flowers were a-blooming, O
When meadows were adorning
And small birds sweetly tuning, O
I met my love near Banbridge Twon,
My charming blooming Sally, O
And she is the crown of County Down,
The Flower of Magherally, O.

With admiration I did gaze
Upon this blooming maiden, O;
Adam never was more struck
When he first saw Eve in Eden, O;
Her skin was like the lily white,
That grows in yonder valley, O;
And I think I blest when I am nigh
The Flower of Magherally, O.

Her yellow hair in ringlets fell,
Her shoes were Spanish leather, O,
Her bonnet with blue ribbons strung,
Her scarlet scarf and feather, O.
Like Venus bright she did appear,
My charming blooming Sally, O.
And she is the girl that I love dear,
The Flower of Magherally, O.

An Irish lad although I be,
With neither wealth nor treasure, O;
But yet I love my dearest dear,
I love her beyond measure, O.
If I'd all the wealth that is possessed
By the great Titharally, O;
I'd give it to her that I love best,
The Flower of Magherally, O.

But I hope the time will surely come,
When we'll join hands together, O;
It's then I'll take my darling home,
In spite of wind and weather, O.
And let them all say what they will,
And let them scowl and rally, O;
For I shall wed the girl I love,
The Flower of Magherally, O.


Source: Irish Street Ballads, Colm O Lochlainn, pp 118-119

Subject: ADD Version: The Flower of Magherally, O!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Aug 04 - 03:53 AM

The source of the version in the Digital Tradition is not identified. Here's one from Sam Henry:

The Flower of Magherally, O!

'Twas on a summer's morning,
The flowers were a-blooming-o,
Nature all adorning.
The wild birds sweetly singing-o,
I met my love near Banbridge town,
My charming blue-eyed Sally-o,
O, she's the pride of the County Down,
The flower of Magherally-o

In admiration I did gaze
Upon that lovely maiden-o,
Adam was not more surprised
When he met Eve in Eden-o,
Her lovely hair in ringlets fell,
Her shoes of Spanish leather-o,
Her bonnet blue with ribbons strung,
Her scarlet scarf and feather-o.

An Irish boy although I be,
With neither wealth nor treasure-o,
She's the dearest of the dear,
My darling beyond measure-o.
If I'd all the wealth that is possessed
By the great titter-a-tally-o,
I'd give it to her that I love best,
The flower of Magherally-o.

But I hope the time will surely come
When we'll join hands together-o,
It's then I'll take my darling home
In spite of wind and weather-o.
And let them all say what they will,
And let them scowl and rally-o,
For I shall marry the girl I love,
The flower of Magherally-o.


Source: Sam Henry's Songs of the People, pp 243-44
from Dominic Maguire, principal of St. Malachy's Schools, Coleraine, 28 Jan 1928

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tune transcribed on request - [e-mail]

Not much information on this song in the Traditional Ballad Index, but here's the entry:

Flower of Magherally, The

DESCRIPTION: "'Twas on a summer's morning, The flowers were a-blooming-0, Nature all adoning... I met my love near Banbridge town, My charming blue-eyed Sally-o." The singer describes her beauty, wishes he could offer her wealth, and hopes to marry her even without it
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1928 (Sam Henry collection)
KEYWORDS: love courting beauty
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Henry/Huntingdon/Herrmann-SamHenrysSongsOfThePeople H220, pp. 243-244, "The Flower of Magherally, O!" (1 text, 1 tune)
OLochlainn-IrishStreetBallads 59, "The Flowers of Magherally" (1 text, 1 tune)
OBoyle-TheIrishSongTradition 11, "The Flower of Magherally" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #3009
NOTES [31 words]: This instantly made me think of "Sally in Our Alley." The metrical form is quite close, and there are a few similar phrases in the tune, but there really doesn't appear to be kinship. - RBW
File: HHH220

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Here's the entry from folktrax.ord:

FLOWER OF MAGHERALLY, THE - "One pleasant summer's morning" - "Queen of the County Down" - ROUD#3009 - JIFSS vol I #1 p57
- HENRY SOP #220/ HUNTINGTON 1990 pp243-4 Dominic Maguire, Coleraine, Co Derry
1928 4v/m - O'LOCHLAINN ISB 1939 #59 pp118- 9 Cathal O Byrne, Belfast 5v/m -
O'BOYLE 1976 p62 (4v) -- Charles BOYLE rec by PK, Belfast 1952 7"RTR-0543
said he learned air from a Scots concert singer and is different from publ --
Frank HARTE (unacc): TOPIC 12-T-218 1973

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh
From:
Date: 30 Jul 98 - 02:00 PM

Having found out the proper name of the song I had another look around the record-store and found another recording of it by a band called Oiche. They were about the right age but had a different singer. However, the sleevenotes said that their previous singer had left a while ago. Maybe I heard a version by them with their previous singer. She was called Cara Dillon. Does anyone know this singer and whether she is quite young with blond hair and able to give a beautiful rendition of "The Flower of Magherally"? Sophie

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh
From: Sophie
Date: 29 Jul 98 - 07:24 PM

Wow, that's fast! Thanks a lot, sorry I overlooked it somehow in the database. I'll check-out the Altan-version, but who I saw wasn't Altan. I think they were much younger, I'd still love to find out who they were. Many thanks. Sophie

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh
From: rosebrook
Date: 29 Jul 98 - 07:20 PM

Hi Sophie,

This song appears on Altan's CD "Best of Altan" with a female vocalist. I don't know if it's the band you recorded, but it sure is a beautiful rendition.

Rose

Subject: RE: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh
From: Barry Finn
Date: 29 Jul 98 - 07:04 PM

Sophie, in the search box in the upper right hand corner of your screen, enter The Flower Of Magherally, you'll find it in the DT. Barry

Subject: Charming blue-eyed Sally-oh
From: Sophie
Date: 29 Jul 98 - 06:57 PM

Just found this site and getting a bit over-enthusiatic maybe, but could you indulge me with one more query, as I been looking for this song for ages.

More than two years ago I was channel-surfing and I fell into a very lovely song. It was on the BBC by quite a young band with a woman-singer who also played the fiddle. I hit the record button on the VCR and still have half the song. The chorus ( as far as I could make it out) was:

I met my love near Banbridge Town,
My charming blue-eyed Sally-oh,
She's the queen of the county Down,
She the flower of (?) alley-oh

I would like to find:
-the lyrics and if possible the chords for the song
- the name of the band who played it. I think they had a Celtic name and apart from the singer/fiddle-player, they had a male whistle-player and a guitar-player.
-if no one knows this band's version then any other recorded version would be appreciated too.

Sophie the demanding.