Help: 'Tara'

01 Sep 00 - 11:38 PM (#289761)
Subject: Searching for 'Tara'
From: Jimmy C

My father used to say that my grandfather and he were the only 2 people in the world who knew this song.I don't know if he was joking or not. He taught it to me when I was a teenager. Now that they have both passed on I was wondering, does anyone know of a song called "TARA". This is not "The Harp that once" etc. The opening lines are
" I heard a voice from the distant past
And it seemed to be singing a glad refain
". I have never came across the song in any book or on any record. I can only remember parts of it now, but can go through my notes and get the whole thing, unless somebody else comes up with it.

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01 Sep 00 - 11:42 PM (#289763)
Subject: RE: Help: 'Tara'
From: Mbo

Jimmy! Check here!

--mbo

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01 Sep 00 - 11:58 PM (#289771)
Subject: RE: Help: 'Tara'
From: Jimmy C

Mbo - I know this one but its not the one in question.

Thanks anyway

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02 Sep 00 - 03:02 AM (#289811)
Subject: RE: Help: 'Tara'
From: Liz the Squeak

Sounds hauntingly familiar, I was surprised to find a song called Tara, which wasn't about harps, so I made a vague note to collect it. Of course, when I went back to it, it had gone, and I thought I had imagined it. Can you post the rest of it that you remember please, we might be after the same song....

LTS

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02 Sep 00 - 04:06 PM (#289991)
Subject: RE: Help: 'Tara'
From: Jimmy C

Ok Liz,

Actually the harp is mentioned in this song. I also think that there may be a middle verse, I have my father on tape singing it,( if I can find it) if indeed there is a 3rd verse I will post it later.

The tune is quite slow and haunting, more like a dirge, which is probably why it never became as well known and popular as the "Harp that once through Tara's halls"" which is a beautiful song.

"TARA"

I heard a voice from the distant past
And it seemed to be singing a glad refain
The Sons of Erin were free at last
The Blood of their kings wasn't shed in vain
At evening of old, there came sounds of a song
Sung by the voice of a patriot throng
TARA - you shall hear the harp once more
Through your halls as in the days of yore
Hark boys, Hark hear the cheer
Hip Hip Horray , for Freedom and Ireland

Are we to be trod by a tyrants heel ?
Or will we for liberty draw the steel ?
Our fair land trembles with wars alarms
And Ireland is calling her sons to arms
The shades of Wolfe Tone seem to rise from the ground
And with this grand chorus the hillsides resound
TARA you shall hear the harp once more
Through your halls as in the days of yore
Hark boys hark, hear the cheer
Hip Hip Horray for freedom
and Ireland

Slainte

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03 Sep 00 - 11:41 AM (#290303)
Subject: RE: Help: 'Tara'
From: Liz the Squeak

Yep, that's the one I "remember", totally forgotten it all now, not even the words are bringing back the tune.... ho hum, that's old age for you.

LTS

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03 Sep 00 - 11:54 AM (#290308)
Subject: RE: Help: 'Tara'
From: Jimmy C

Liz,

I'll see what I can do about getting the tune on the thread.

Slan

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