To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=114048
16 messages

Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk

03 Sep 08 - 11:58 AM (#2429916)
Subject: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Frank_Finn

Can anyone help with the words and air of this song?
The first line goes like this (I think)
"In beauteous Spring when birds do sing"


03 Sep 08 - 12:17 PM (#2429933)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

Frank

There's a mention of it, and of a source, in THIS THREAD

I may have the book mentioned - I'll have a look.

Regards


03 Sep 08 - 12:18 PM (#2429936)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

There's also a version HERE!

Regards


03 Sep 08 - 12:26 PM (#2429949)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Frank_Finn

MartinRyan , I find no reference to "Dundalk" in the posted thread. It does mention "The Star of the County Down"


03 Sep 08 - 12:29 PM (#2429955)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

Not sure what happened there, Frank. I'll sort it out...


03 Sep 08 - 12:31 PM (#2429956)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

Frank

Try it again please!

Regards


03 Sep 08 - 12:40 PM (#2429963)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

In fact, the song is not in the "Pléaraca Dhún Dealgain" book mentioned by Gulliver - his mention in the thread is a bit ambiguous.

Regards


03 Sep 08 - 02:01 PM (#2430043)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

The line is in the 2nd verse of "The Star of Slane:"

In beauteous Spring, when the warblers sing,
And their carols ring through each fragrant grove;
Bright Sol did shine, which made me incline
By the river Boyne for to go to rove, I
was ruminating and meditating
And contemplating as I paced the plain,
When a charming fair, beyond compare,
Did my heart ensnare near the town of Slane.

From "Evenings in the Duffrey," Patrick Kennedy, 1875, McGlashen & Gill; from "The Golden Treasury of Irish Songs and Lyrics, vol. 2; Wilson's Tales of the Borders- These references on line; your song may be a variant. I don't know when "Star of Slane" first appeared.

"The Star of Dundalk, and other Poems," S. Lover

In beauteous spring when birds do sing,
And cheer each myrtle shade,
And shepherd swains ser'nades the plains
To find their lambs that's stray'd,

Nigh Boden's Grove I chanced to rove
To take a rural walk,
When to my sight appear'd in white
The Star of Sweet Dundalk.

Your beauteous face my wounds encrase,
And skin more white than chalk,
Makes me regret the day I met
The Star of Sweet Dundalk.

Dublin Literary Gazette, reproduced in "New Estate, or the Young Travelers, in Wales and Ireland," 1831, London, Harvey & Darton. Also found with Google, on line.


03 Sep 08 - 02:02 PM (#2430046)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Brakn

From Martin's link.....

In beauteous spring when birds do sing,
And cheer each myrtle shade,
And shepherd swains ser'nades the plains,
To find their lambs that's stray'd,

High Boden's Grove I cahnced to rove,
To take a rural walk,
When to my sight appear'd in white,
The Star of Sweet Dundalk.

Your beauteous face my wounds encase,
And skin more white than chalk,
Makes me regret the day I met,
The Star of Sweet Dundalk.


03 Sep 08 - 02:24 PM (#2430072)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

Seems to be a Louth line alright!

Regards


03 Sep 08 - 02:34 PM (#2430080)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

The Traditional Ballad Index says "Star of Slane" appeared in a chapbook, 1826, and lists an author, 'Day."
"Star of Dundalk" not listed there.


03 Sep 08 - 05:48 PM (#2430275)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: GUEST


03 Sep 08 - 05:49 PM (#2430277)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Frank_Finn

Thanks everyone, but surely there are more than 3 verses??


03 Sep 08 - 07:20 PM (#2430344)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

Sounds like Gulliver may have a set. Try sending him a PM?

Regards


05 Sep 08 - 09:54 PM (#2432335)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: Gulliver

I've been away for a bit and just found this thread thanks to Martin. I'll check firstly in my own collection, then in Pléaraca Dhún Dealgain, and failing that in the Trad Music Archive. Give me a day or two! Don


06 Sep 08 - 03:32 AM (#2432425)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Star of Sweet Dundalk
From: MartinRyan

Thanks, Don. Definitely not in Pléaráca Dhún Dealgan - unless there was a second edition.

Regards