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Lyr Req: Famine song

17 Jul 01 - 01:51 PM (#508793)
Subject: Famine song
From: GUEST

Hi, I'm looking for the words of a song about the famine in Ireland. I don't know the name of the song but i do know that the song was about a father that wrote a letter to his son in England(I think)telling him that food was becoming scarce and that his mother was becoming weak, later the father writes again to say that his mother has died and then later still the son receives a third letter, this time from his brother back home in Ireland saying that his father has passed away. That is the general theme of the song and I would very much appreciate it if anyone out there, who has the the words, could forward them to me.

Thanking you, Treasa.

17 Jul 01 - 01:59 PM (#508800)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: Sorcha

From the DT--Killkelly

17 Jul 01 - 02:01 PM (#508803)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: Jeri

It sounds like Kilkelly (click), but it's mainly about immigration. The father lives to be quite old and keeps writing to his son in America and saying how he wishes he'd come home.

17 Jul 01 - 02:03 PM (#508805)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: Jeri

Beat me, Sorcha! By the way, Kilkelly is by Peter Jones.

17 Jul 01 - 02:03 PM (#508807)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: MMario

Kilkelly

or for a different take....Islip

18 Jul 01 - 11:06 AM (#509568)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: BobP

What's that one Jean Redpath sings that includes the line . . .

"the praties they are small,but we ate them skin and all.

Oh how the memory goes . . .

18 Jul 01 - 11:09 AM (#509572)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: MMario

the praties they grow small?

18 Jul 01 - 11:23 AM (#509582)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: BobP

That's it, MM!

I have it somewhere at home, but couldn't find it listed in Redpath's discography.

18 Jul 01 - 06:15 PM (#509909)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: vectis

I dimly remember hearing a song about the famine. The child is sent away to survive and the parent sits under a tree and awaits death. Trouble is I can't remember one line from it. Is this the one you are looking for?

18 Jul 01 - 07:32 PM (#509997)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: GUEST,Maire

Could this be SKIBBEREEN? It's in the database.

27 Jul 01 - 06:38 AM (#515772)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: GUEST,Treasa

Apart from the father telling the son that his mother has died and then the brother telling him that his father has died he also says that there is space for him in the grave with the rest of the family, when he dies. Some one tole me since last week that it could be called "The Moyor of Spancill Hill"?? Does anyone know this song? It's not "Kilkelly" even though it sounds like it.

27 Jul 01 - 07:11 AM (#515780)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: nutty

I don't think it is Spancil Hill but it could be Skibbereen

Try this site IRISH SONGS AND LYRICS

27 Jul 01 - 07:15 AM (#515782)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: Fiolar

Definitely not "Skibbereen."

28 Jul 01 - 10:44 AM (#516635)
Subject: Lyr Add: SWEET INISHCARA
From: Fiolar

If it's not "Kilkelly" then try "Patrick Sheehan" in the database. Here's another one which is a bit poignant.

SWEET INISHCARA

I have rambled in exile mid cruel hearted strangers,
Far from my home and the beautiful Lee,
I have struggled alone through all hardship and danger,
And braved every fate on the land and the sea.
From Columbia's wild forests to India's spiced bowers,
On the great foreign rivers whose sands are of gold,
I have sighed for thee still mid the birds and the flowers
I love you and will till my heart does grow cold.

I roved with fair maidens with dark flowing tresses
And beautiful eyes have looked kindly on me,
But I thought with regret of the smiles and caresses
Of that fair haired young maiden that dwelt by the Lee.
And now I've returned but she's not in her bower,
Where the river flows past with its small tiny waves,
I have called her in vain, for the ivory crowned tower
Of sweet Inishcara o'ershadows her grave.

The home of my childhood to ruin it is falling,
And the loved ones that blessed it will greet me no more,
But I look on it still, joyous visions recalling,
Though the tall grass has grown on the step of the door.
I would rest with thee soon with the shamrock above me,
From my own native Cork no more shall I roam,
Till I'm laid in the grave with the dear ones that love me,
As in death they will welcome their wanderer home.

This song has particular memories for me. My father was born in Inniscara (the spelling varies) and I spent many happy hours on the banks of the Lee with my cousins.

28 Jul 01 - 10:46 AM (#516637)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Famine song
From: Fiolar

Sorry! the title is "Sweet Inishcara"