Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes of Donegal (Sean McBride)

Subject: RE:: The Crumbling Homes of Donegal (David Craig)
From: Felipa
Date: 21 Jun 21 - 11:30 AM

there is a massive problem now in the northwest of Ireland of houses built with blocks containing mica. Many houses will need to be demolished and rebuilt.

David Craig wrote and sings, The Crumbling Homes of Donegal.
Words are on screen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AFmG3sohqk

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes of Donegal (Sean McBride)
From: GUEST,hi cuz
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 07:20 PM

another living relation of sean mac bride, lower cruit.got to ctuit last week. fishing and kayaking. can't believe i forgot how stunningly beautiful it is. here's to the next visit. keep singing shane.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Coinneach1916
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 01:44 PM

http://www.martindardis.com/irish_lyrics_guitar_music_g_j.html
check this great site for this song and many other fine Irish songs!
Martin even posted a couple of my scribbling here.
Ken

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: 90 miles
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 01:22 PM

Hi - if you're looking for a song different from the one being discussed in this thread, go to the Forum Menu and search for it.
If you can't find it, create a new thread and request the song.
I'm wondering if the song you want may be Ninety Miles to Dublin Town (click), recorded by Christy Moore.
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Declan
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 08:28 PM

Martin,

You could well be right.

There's a lot of evidence of Dylan having adapted a number of songs learned from the Clancy's.

I don't know whether he had any great interest in Scotish songs such as Tramps and Hawkers. But given that he spent a bit of time in the UK in the early to mid 60's and was inspired by a number of songs he heard there e.g. Girl from the north country "inspired" by Scarborough Fair, its hard to tell at this stage.

In later years Dylan was obviously aware of Paul Brady in that he recorded a version of Arthur McBride with almost identical guitar work to Paul's. The Poor imigrant would have pre-dated Brady's version of "The Homes" by many years.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 06:36 PM

Another well-known song to the tune is Glenswilly or The Hills of...

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 06:24 PM

Declan: The Homes of Donegal, via the Clancy's, seems a more likely source for Dylan?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:40 PM

Paddy West I believe goes back to at least the late 1800's, I'll check further when I get back home. "English Motor Ways" also used this tune.

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: GUEST,jùp
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:18 PM

as far as i know 'tramps and hawkers' and 'the homes of donegal' came into being around the same time. 'the homes of donegal' is widely recognised as the origin of this air, which has been used for a number of the songs mentioned in the thread above. i myself turned 68 on my last birthday, and remember learning to play the homes of donegal (when i suppose i must have been 13/14) before becoming affiliated with any of the other songs mentioned above.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 05:09 AM

I agree that Paul Brady's "Homes of Donegal" is the same tune as "Tramps & Hawkers", "Paddy West" and Ewan MacColl's "My Little Son", among others. I've always assumed "Tramps & Hawkers" was the first song to use the tune, so I usually refer to the tune as "Tramps & Hawkers", but I could be wrong.

As Declan says above, it's a different tune from the tune used by Paul Brady and others for "Lakes of Ponchartrain" although the tunes are 'swappable' (i.e. the songs would 'fit' either tune).

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Declan
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 07:38 PM

Dylan used this air for "I pity the poor immigrant". Whether his source was "The Homes" or "Tramps an Hawkers" is a matter of conjecture (unless someone has some definitive information).

Christy Moore recorded, (or at least performed), Dylan's song with Moving Hearts and also a H-Block song called "90 miles from Dublin" to the same air.

Christy and Paul Brady have both recorded "The Lakes of Pontchartrain". Christy was Paul's source for the song. The air is a close relation but not identical.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 12:39 PM

Not to be confused with this Sean MacBride, who did a lot in his time (IRA Chief of Staff, Nobel Peace Prizewinner, and Chairman of UNESCO, among others), but didn't write any songs so far as I know.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: GUEST,A living relation of Sean MacBride
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 11:14 AM

Sean MacBride was born on Cruit island in the Rosses area of West Donegal in August 1902. He was a school master for most of his life in St.Baithins school in St.Johnston East Donegal (overlooking the Foyle river). The Homes of Donegal was first recorded by Charlie Magee (his brother-in-law) for Waltons Piano and Musical Instrument Galleries in Dublin. He also wrote The Crolly Doll and many other popular songs. He was also the author of many stories and plays. He died in August 1996 and is buried on his native Cruit Island.

Subject: RE: Chords Req: Homes of Donegal (Sean McBride)
From: GUEST,Liam Duddy
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 04:21 PM

Sean McBride was a teacher in a small town in Donegal called St Jonhstone. The lyrics as far as i know were written in 1955, hope that helps. As for the chords, to use a Donegal expression, I've never heard it played the same way twice!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Big Tim
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 03:34 AM

Hey, I know somebody in Mountcharles - I'll drop her a snailmail to see if she can provide any detail on Mr. McBride.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 11:32 PM

This is an extract from Paul Brady's website, referring to 'Homes of Donegal.'

It was around so long I originally thought it was a traditional song. Now I know it was written by a
Donegal man called Sean McBride from around the Mountcharles area who recently died in his 90th year on the island of Inishturc off Mayo. Go ndéana Dia grásta ar d'anam, a Sheáin!

Subject: Lyr Add: AT HOME IN DONEGAL (McBride)
From: Big Tim
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:57 AM

Here's another sentimental song about Donegal, also credited to "McBride", wonder if it's the same person. Transcribed from a 1969 recording by John Kerr, so maybe some minor mistakes in lyrics, tho not with the place names.

AT HOME IN DONEGAL

Though o'er the sea, tonight I be,
In thoughts, I'm still at home,
I roam the hills, where singing rills,
Cascade in flecks of foam,
From azure sky, away up high,
The skylarks freely fall,
My happy dream, by lough and stream,
At home in Donegal.

I love to think of far days,
When we were gay and young,
And of the dances that we danced,
The sweet songs that we sung,
The Aran men, the kitchen, where,
We gathered, big and small,
And my heart's desire, a grand turf fire,
At home in Donegal.

Down memory's way, I oft do stray,
To beautiful Mulroy,
Where wavelets on the shingle play,
That God's own sons enjoy,
Again I'll stand, on Downings' Strand,
When evening shadows fall,
And sunset on Sheephaven Bay,
At home in Donegal.

Oh! Grá mo chroí, I soon will see,
Far famed Glencolmkille,
Through Glenties, Rosses and Gweedore,
I'll ramble on at will,
Falcarragh, Creeslough, Carrigart,
I long to see them all,
My hand they'll take, and warmly shake,
At home in Donegal.
(Note: gra mo chroí – "gra mo cree", literally, "love of my heart")

My exile past, and home at last,
What thoughts of joy I feel,
In my own town, I'll settle down,
In lovely Carrowkeel,
I'll walk once more, that golden shore,
In scenes that e'er enthrall,
For life is joy, around Mulroy,
At home in Donegal.
(Note: Carrowkeel is pronounced, "Kerrykeel").

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Brakn
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 06:21 AM

I was wondering that.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune: Homes Of Donegal
From: Big Tim
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 02:49 AM

Who was Sean McBride?

Subject: tramps
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 07:22 PM

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Homes Of Donegal
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 07:47 PM

Thanks very much, this is a great site.

Subject: Chords Add: HOMES OF DONEGAL
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 07:31 PM

Homes Of Donegal
(Sean McBride)

   D7    G         Am     D7     Em        D     C      G
  I've just called in to see you all, I'll only stay a while
     Em      Bm             C      G      Em      Am       C
  I want to see how you're getting on, I want to see you smile.
       G    Bm     C      G       Em       Am       C
  I'm happy to be back again, I greet you big and small,
               G         Am      D7         C        D       C   G
  For there's no place else on earth just like the homes of Donegal.
  

Subject: Lyr Add: HOMES OF DONEGAL (Sean McBride)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 07:22 PM

On this page (click), I found that on his 1986 album, Back to the Centre, Paul Brady recorded both "Holmes of Donegal" and "Homes of Donegal."
I found lyrics, chords, and tunes in a Walton book called The Very Best Irish Songs and Ballads, Vol. 3.
-Joe Offer-

---

Homes Of Donegal
(Sean McBride)

I've just called in to see you all, I'll only stay a while
I want to see how you're getting on, I want to see you smile.
I'm happy to be back again, I greet you big and small,
For there's no place else on earth just like the homes of Donegal.

I always see the happy faces, smiling at the door,
The kettle swinging on the crook, as I step up the floor.
And soon the taypot's fillin' up me cup that's far from small,
For your hearts are like your mountains, in the homes of Donegal.

To see your homes at parting day of that I never tire,
And hear the porridge bubblin' in a big pot on the fire.
The lamp alight, the dresser bright, the big clock on the wall,
O, a sight serene, celestial scene, in the homes of Donegal.

I long to sit along with you and while away the night,
With tales of yore and fairy lore, beside your fires so bright,
And then to see prepared for me a shake-down by the wall.
There's repose for weary wanderers, in the homes of Donegal.

Outside the night winds shriek and howl, inside there's peace and calm,
A picture on the wall up there, our saviour with a lamp,
The hope of wandering sheep like me and all who rise and fall.
There's a touch of heavenly love around the homes of Donegal.

A tramp I am and a tramp I've been, a tramp I'll always he,
Me father tramped, me mother tramped, sure trampin's bred in me.
If some there are my ways disdain and won't have me at all,
Sure I'll always find a welcome in the homes of Donegal.

The time has come and I must go, I bid you all adieu,
The open highway calls me forth to do the things I do.
And when I'm trampin' far away I'll hear your voices call,
And please God I'll soon return unto the homes of Donegal.

---

I didn't know "Tramps and Hawkers." I transcribed the tune, and it sounds to me like "Peter Emberlay," "Lakes of Ponchartrain," or "Paddy West" - which, I learned, sound just like "Tramps and Hawkers." The tune is very close to that, but not exactly the same.

Click to play

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Homes Of Donegal
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 06:26 PM

Sorry, ignore previous post, meant to say that the tune for Homes of Donegal is exactly the same as Tramps and Hawkers, it should be possible to find the chords for that easily enough.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Homes Of Donegal
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 06:02 PM

"Holmes of Donegal"

Subject: Chord Req: Homes Of Donegal
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 05:53 PM

Having just discovered that my great grandfather came from Donegal I wondered if anyone knew the guitar chords to Paul Brady's version of
'The Homes Of Donegal'