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30 Apr 08 - 02:23 PM (#2329973) Subject: Lyr Add: THE HILLS ABOVE DRUMQUIN (Felix Kearney) From: Big Tim THE HILLS ABOVE DRUMQUIN God bless the Hills of Donegal, I've heard your praises sung, In days long gone beyond recall, When I was very young, Then I would pray to see a day, Before life's course is run, When I could sing the praises, Of the hills above Drumquin. I love the hills of Dooish, Be they heather-clad or lea, The wooded Glens of Cooel, And the Fort at Dun na ree, The green clad slopes of Kirlish, When they meet the setting sun, Descending in its glory, On the hills above Drumquin. Drumquin – you're not a city, But you're all the world to me, Your lot I'll never pity, Should you never greater be, For I love you as I knew you, When from school I used to run, On my homeward journey through you, And the hills above Drumquin. When the whins across Drumbarley, Make the hills a yellow blaze, When the heather turns to purple, On my native Dressog braes, When the sandstone rocks of Claramore, Are glistening in the sun, Then nature's at her grandest, On the hills above Drumquin. I've seen the Scottish Highlands, They have beauty wild and grand, I have journeyed in the Lowlands, 'Tis a cold and cheerless land, But I always toiled content, For when each hard day's work was done, My heart went back at sunset, To the hills above Drumquin. The world is sad and dreary, And the tasks of life are sore, My feet are growing weary, I may never wander more, But I want to rest in Langfield, When the sands of life are run, In the sheltering shades of Dooish, And the hills above Drumquin. Written by Felix Kearney (1888-1977) of Magherenny, Drumquin, County Tyrone. ^^ |
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01 May 08 - 01:08 PM (#2330740) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: ard mhacha I have a recording of David Hammond singing this from around the mid 1970s, lovely song. |
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01 May 08 - 02:25 PM (#2330801) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Big Tim Margo also does a nice version of it, as does trad Antrim Glens singer Charlie McDonnell. (The latter has also recorded Kearney's song 'A Sprig of Irish Heather'). Kearney is usually credited with the melody for Drumquin (he was a musician, grandfather of Artie McGlynn) but it sound suspiciously familiar to me, beautiful though. Can any musicians among you identify the tune? |
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01 May 08 - 09:47 PM (#2331145) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Ross Campbell I also have David Hammond's recording somewhere. The tune as I recall it is similar to "The Handsome Cabin Boy". I maybe wouldn't have thought of that, except I pinched that tune for another song a couple of weeks ago. Agreed, AM, a lovely song, and thanks for the post, Tim. Ross |
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02 May 08 - 03:05 PM (#2331403) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Fergie There is a terrific version of this on Arty McGlynn's CD "McGlynn's Fancy" I don't know the name of the singer, but it is a beautiful version Fergus |
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02 May 08 - 08:56 PM (#2331667) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: michaelr That is David Hammond on the Arty McGlynn record. Cheers, Michael |
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03 May 08 - 02:41 AM (#2331802) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Big Tim Thanks for the tip guys. I have ordered the Artie McGlynn CD. |
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03 May 08 - 11:25 AM (#2331990) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Fergie Thanks Michael, I couldn't remember, Do you know if David Hammond is still around? Big Tim, you will enjoy that album it is excellent from first to last Fergus |
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03 May 08 - 11:56 AM (#2332008) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: GUEST,Ballyhome Yes, David Hammond is "still around". |
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03 May 08 - 02:58 PM (#2332164) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Big Tim There is (or was) a book of Kearney's songs available. It's called ''This is my Native Place: collected poems and songs' by Felix Kearney. It contains about 80 of his songs and poems. It's a limited edition of 500, I got number 58 about four years ago. It's a very good production, full of coloured illustrations. I got my copy online from the Omagh Tourist Office. |
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05 May 08 - 04:43 PM (#2333538) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: ard mhacha This song is now on You Tube sung by David Hammond, go to lorgain2. |
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08 May 08 - 11:39 AM (#2335795) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Big Tim Got the Arty McGlynn CD this morning. I like Hammond's version. He invests the lyric with a good deal sincerity and dignity. One small criticism: it's Langfield not Longfield cemetery. Felix K got his wish and is buried there. I still think I'd stick with Margo's version as my favourite though. (Thanks for the PM Ard). |
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08 May 08 - 10:42 PM (#2336232) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin From: Ross Campbell This is the YouTube link:- David Hammond "The Hills Above Drumquin" It's the version with Arty McGlynn on guitar. |
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08 Jun 08 - 07:27 AM (#2360580) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearney) From: GUEST,AMOR there was a 78 record in the 1950's that I used to like. Anyone old enough to remember? or to recall the singer. |
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08 Jun 08 - 12:23 PM (#2360719) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearney) From: Big Tim Not I, but 1950s would certainly help place the song in time. |
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16 Jun 08 - 03:41 PM (#2367217) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearn From: Geoff Wallis Arty McGlynn is actually Felix Kearney's grandson. |
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17 Jun 08 - 03:30 AM (#2367590) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearney) From: Big Tim I said 'grandfather of Arty McGlynn', same thing! |
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17 Jun 08 - 12:35 PM (#2367908) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearn From: Geoff Wallis Sorry, BT, (slaps forehead thrice) - I must pay more attention! |
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17 Jun 08 - 03:01 PM (#2368048) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearney) From: Big Tim Cheers Geoff! It's usually me that makes such boobs! |
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05 Oct 11 - 09:23 AM (#3234254) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearney) From: GUEST,Laóise Carney Felix Kearney was my grandfather and many people don't know about his music and poetry. It's nice to see that he is getting some recognition here. Thank you very much. |
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03 May 13 - 06:44 AM (#3511251) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hills Above Drumquin (Felix Kearney) From: GUEST,Lisa McCarron I lived in Drumquin by dooish mountain when i was a child. I live in London now since I was 7 and lost my irish accent but this poem makes me so home sick i always get tearful whenever I hear it read or sung. It sums up Drumquin Beautifully there is no better place for me in all the world. |