Lyr Req: Gosforth's Fair Demesne (Kevin Mitchell)

31 Mar 18 - 05:57 PM (#3914368)
Subject: Lyr Req: I Sang the Sweet Refrain
From: GUEST

I heard this song while at a session in Inishowen, Ireland. Great song, but I can't find lyrics or tune anywhere on the internet. Thanks.

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01 Apr 18 - 03:21 PM (#3914548)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Sang the Sweet Refrain
From: Jim Dixon

Kevin Mitchell (an Irishman) has recorded an album called "I Sang That Sweet Refrain" in 1996. However, it doesn't contain a song by that title. Could the album title be a quote from the lyrics of one of the songs?

1 Paddy in Glasgow
2 The Maid of Ballydoo
3 Granuaile
4 The Banks of Brandywine
5 The Red Haired Man's Wife
6 Inishfree
7 The Rangy Ribs I Bought from Micky Doo
8 The Blue Tar Road
9 Paudeen Roe
10 False Lover John
11 The Fanad Mare
12 The Mantle So Green
13 The Flower of Crosby's Mill
14 Gosforth's Fair Demesne
15 The Granemore Hare
16 Johnnie Gallagher

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02 Apr 18 - 12:37 AM (#3914591)
Subject: Lyr Add: GOSFORTH'S FAIR DEMESNE (Kevin Mitchell)
From: Reinhard

"I sang that sweet refrain" is a phrase from the last stanza of Kevin Mitchell's song

GOSFORTH'S FAIR DEMESNE

Ye tender lovers, one and all, I pray you lend an ear
To a simple tale of stirring love I mean to let you hear
And the names of those of whom I speak to you I will not tell
For all around sweet Markethill most people know them well

It being on a cool September eve, the corn was golden crowned
A gentle breeze roused through the trees, a dim glow all around
And it was the maiden fair who spoke as she clasped her true love's hand
And in an instant she cried out, Alas, I understand

That you're in love with another fair maid, prettier far than I
And so the love shines brilliant, shines brilliant in your eye
And it's oh! to think that you'd be false, that you'd bedim my eye
And with a parting kiss, alas! to you I'll say goodbye

Oh stay, oh stay, the young man cried, From you I will not go
You say I love another lass, I vow that isn't so
For had I Gosforth's castle fair and all the lands in view
From Mullybrack unto Richhill, there's none I'd wed but you

And he threw his arms around her neck and kissed her tenderly
And a cloud above fair Gosforth's heights no longer could I see
And I turned my steps towards Richhill and I sang that sweet refrain
Of the pair I left in fond embrace near Gosforth's fair demesne

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02 Apr 18 - 03:34 AM (#3914603)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Sang the Sweet Refrain
From: Joe Offer

With a title like "Gosforth's Fair Demesne," I can see how the song might come to be known by a different title.
-Joe-

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02 Apr 18 - 08:58 AM (#3914678)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Sang the Sweet Refrain
From: GUEST

Thanks very much! I should have listened to the whole album.

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02 Apr 18 - 10:29 AM (#3914698)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Sang the Sweet Refrain
From: GUEST

PS— "Demesne" is actually pronounced "Domain". Where did that weird word come from?

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02 Apr 18 - 12:23 PM (#3914726)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Sang the Sweet Refrain
From: GUEST,Mick Pearce (MCP)

desmesne.

"Middle English: from Old French demeine (later Anglo-Norman French demesne) ‘belonging to a lord’, from Latin dominicus, from dominus ‘lord, master’. Compare with domain."

According to OED pronouncing it as "di-main" or "di-mean" would both be acceptable.

Mick

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