Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea/Glenlea/Glenlee

Subject: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: GUEST,Chordstrangler
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:30 PM

I have been trying to get the lyrics of a song called "Beauty Spot Glenlea (Glenlee) which was written by a man called Cronin in West Cork and is about an imaginary journey all around the world culled from newspapers and a book of maps. Can anybody help? I can't find it in the DT......Regards....M

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 04:08 PM

It's usually called "The Traveller all over the World". Click here for the versioin in the DT.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: chordstrangler
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 07:23 PM

Thanks Martin ....appreciate that...M

Subject: Lyr Add: LANLEE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Dec 03 - 11:51 PM

No source is given for the version in the DT, but I found another version—called LANLEE—at a website belonging to Nathan D. Rose, who says he collected it from the singer John Cronin at his home in Drinagh, Co. Cork, July 13, 1988. He doesn't say that Cronin wrote it, however.

In compliance with Mr. Rose's wishes, I have posted only a link to his version and a few quotes.

Comparing the two versions line by line, I find that in most details, where the two versions differ, I like the version in the DT better, but there are a few places where the LANLEE version seems better and possibly more authentic, i.e. closer to the original. I have marked them with Italics.

In short, I don't think either of these versions is the original; I think they are both somewhat corrupt, but in different ways.

I have no idea whether "Glenlea" or "Lanlee" is the original place-name.

From LANLEE:

Verse 1 line 5: "You'll hear how my dismunity prevailed on a community..."

Although "dismunity" isn't in my dictionary, it rings true. I take it to mean "having no money" – from the same root as "remuneration" and "munificent." On the other hand, I don't see how "disunity" fits at all.

Verse 2 line 1: "I went to see the world's range when only 16 years of age."

Sure, "rage" rhymes better, but what does it mean?

Verse 5 line 1: "The doleful time it soon drew nigh when my faithful Dutchman friend and I..."

The times weren't doleful until the friends had to part.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 04:45 AM

I'm afraid "dismunity" is just my clumsy typing all those years ago!

The song is certainly older than 1988 - I think there are details in a book called "Songs of Cork" which, having moved house recently, I can't find!

Glenlee it is.

Regards

p.s. "on board the "Kangaroo" i.e. a ship of that name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 06 Dec 03 - 05:29 AM

In fact, Tomás O Cannainn's "SOngs of Cork" is not much help. His source had learned it in COlea (Co. COrk) in the early 20 C. and thought "it was written by a man called Cronin...". Cronins, BTW, are ten-a-penny in COrk!

My guess is that it was written mid- late- 19C. - probably by a bored schoolteacher looking at a (largely pink) map.

Great song, though it takes some singing.

Regards

p.s. It may or may not be coincidence that "The Good Ship Kangaroo", though of musichall origins, was collected from Mrs. Bess Cronin (that name again...) in the same are.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 02:13 PM

Wait a minute, Martin. "Dismunity" comes from Nathan D. Rose's website, not from the DT text, which is what you typed, I assume. Maybe you meant to say "disunity" was your clumsy typing all those years ago – which would mean "dismunity" was your clumsy typing yesterday?

Seriously, though, if you think "disunity" is correct, please explain how it fits the context of the song.

By the way, I just checked my microprint copy of the OED, and it doesn't contain "dismunity." I am disappointed. Even Google finds only that one use of the word. So maybe it's someone's error after all. But I'd prefer to think it's someone's deliberate coinage, maybe this mysterious Mr. Cronin's. I rather like the word.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 02:34 PM

"disunity" I typed and "disunity" I meant! "Dismunity" is a lovely word - I agree!


There is a great tradition in that area of long epic songs about trivial or imagined events, with rhyme piled upon rhyme. Long may it continue.

Regards

Subject: Beauty Spot Glenlea
From: GUEST,Thalia
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 08:33 AM

I've learned a version of the air of this tune from a friend but suspect it's mutated somewhat in the passing on... Does anyone know where I might find it written down in note form?
Best wishes, T

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea/Glenlea/Glenlee
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 24 Feb 15 - 01:26 AM

I was looking for it for my radio program on Life's Circles: Coming Home Transformed after it was recommended to me, I believe, by Jim Carroll.

Found a version by a fellow named Frank Harte from an album called "Dublin Street Songs" recorded in 1967, and apparently he claims it's the first time it had been recorded.


Here's the link. The Traveller All Over the World, Frank Harte

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea/Glenlea/Glenlee
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Feb 15 - 04:41 AM

That early recording by Frank is only about half of the song as usually sung - and half of the tune also! Probably why it wasn't included in the CD reissue.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea/Glenlea/Glenlee
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 24 Feb 15 - 12:40 PM

I'd love to use a version for my radio program. Do any of you know of a full version of it (either one I can buy on a download or take from youtube) that I could use?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Beauty Spot Glanlea/Glenlea/Glenlee
From: GUEST,#
Date: 24 Feb 15 - 03:21 PM

Dismutiny in biology was coined in 1963 or so.