Lyr Req: Farewell to Antrim

Subject: Farewell to Antrim
From: Monica
Date: 22 Sep 98 - 09:32 AM

What a lovely surprise! And I have a suspicion that someone may know the answer to a perplexing puzzle. Does the title "Farewell to Antrim" ring a bell? This old Irish tune was heard years ago, and only one verse remembered...never have I found the lyrics or music. The subject is a young man leaving Antrim to fight, knowing not if he'll return. Thanks for any assistance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Antrim
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 May 11 - 01:05 PM

Glenn Paul's album "Private Thoughts" contains an original piece called THE LEAVIN' (FAREWELL TO ANTRIM). I listened to a sample, and all I heard was piano. I suspect it is a tune without words.

I couldn't find any other song containing the words "farewell to Antrim."

Note that I am reviving a very old thread here, and Monica hasn't posted for a long time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Antrim
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 May 11 - 04:55 PM

Not exactly about someone leaving to fight, but there's Alan Reid's The Green and the Blue?

Don't turn to look on the green hills of Antrim
Fermanagh's behind you, it's time to move on

And what was the sense when the wee ones were crying
The cries of the hungry, no sense to remain
No prayer could recover a sister or brother
So farewell to Fermanagh, the praying is done

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Antrim
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 May 11 - 05:05 PM

Any chance it's "Farewell to County Antrim"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Antrim
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 May 11 - 05:56 PM

Well, 999, Monica's not around to confirm that this is what she wanted, but your guess is better than anything I could come up with.

FAREWELL TO COUNTY ANTRIM was composed by Phil Coulter, and it appears on 2 albums that are listed at Allmusic.com: "Winter's Crossing" (1998) by James Galway and Phil Coulter, and the various-artists collection "Magic of Ireland" (2008). Allmusic says the performers on this cut are "Coulter, Gallagher, Galway...." So it might be the same recording.

Allmusic.com has a sample from the first album. I listened, and again, all I heard was piano. Since neither Galway nor Coulter is a singer, as far as I know, this is probably also a pure instrumental piece. And it's probably not very "old." Rats!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Antrim
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 May 11 - 06:29 PM

I am having no luck with finding lyrics, Jim.