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15 Feb 99 - 04:00 PM (#58729) Subject: St. Brendan lyrics From: alicev@txdirect.net I'm looking for lyrics to a song titled "St. Brendan" which has a chorus that goes thusly: "Is it right or left to Gibralter? Which tack do I steer for Mizzen Head? I'd love to settle in Bantry harbor Said Brendan to his albatross, he said." The song goes on to claim that Brendan discovered Long Island, Honolulu and China but now he's ready to settle down and take a wife. The women tell him he's too past it so he returns to the sea and his albatross says the equivalent of "I told you so" |
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28 Aug 01 - 10:35 AM (#536732) Subject: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,Don I've been thinking about a song that seemed to be popular for a while in Irish music circles. I base this on the fact that at least two acts at the 1987 Glen Echo Irish Folk Festival performed the song. The song is about Saint Brendan, but it is not Jimmie Driftwood's "Saint Brendan's Fair Isle" (which Mick Moloney is fond of performing.) This song is sung in jig (6/8) rhythm, and as I recall the first tow lines of the chorus go:
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28 Aug 01 - 12:07 PM (#536767) Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,inishowen@aol.com Try Christy Moore's recording of St Brendan the Navigator. The Chorus goes: "Is it right or left to Gibralter, which tack do I take for Mizzen Head? I'd like to settle down by Ventry Harbour, St Brendan to his Albatross he said." Cheers. PS. You'll probably get the Words on Christy's official Website. Just enter "Christy Moore" in your search engine thingy. |
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28 Aug 01 - 01:24 PM (#536808) Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,Don Yes! Thank you, Inishowen, that is indeed the song. |
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28 Aug 01 - 01:33 PM (#536812) Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: Pene Azul From the duplicate thread (now deleted): Subject: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,Don - PM Date: 28-Aug-01 - 10:35 AM I've been thinking about a song that seemed to be popular for a while in Irish music circles. I base this on the fact that at least two acts at the 1987 Glen Echo Irish Folk Festival performed the song. The song is about Saint Brendan, but it is not Jimmie Driftwood's "Saint Brendan's Fair Isle" (which Mick Moloney is fond of performing.) This song is sung in jig (6/8) rhythm, and as I recall the first tow lines of the chorus go: Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,Don - PM Date: 28-Aug-01 - 10:39 AM Sorry folks! I seem to have a problem with the forum interface. As I was about to say, the first two lines of the chorus go something like: "Is it right, or left, for Gibraltar? What road do I take to Mizzen head?" Does anyone know anything about this song (lyrics, author, recordings, etc.)? It sounds like a contemporary composition to me. Sorry again for the interupted message! Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: Naemanson - PM Date: 28-Aug-01 - 11:42 AM Is this the one where Brendan has an albatross for a companion? I think I've heard it a few times. Always liked it. Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,Don - PM Date: 28-Aug-01 - 01:26 PM Yes, that's the one. Somehow, I managed to post this question twice on the forum (many apologies!) On the other posting, the song was identified as a Christy Moore song, and I found the lyrics at the Christy Moore website. |
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28 Aug 01 - 01:52 PM (#536819) Subject: Lyr Add: ST BRENDAN'S VOYAGE (Christy Moore) From: Pene Azul ST. BRENDAN'S VOYAGE (Lyrics provided by Sabine Schellack (from www.christymoore.net) A boat sailed out of Brandon in the year of 501 'twas a damp and dirty mornin' Brendan's voyage it began. Tired of thinnin' turnips and cuttin' curley kale When he got back from the creamery he hoisted up the sail. He ploughed a lonely furrow to the north, south, east and west Of all the navigators, St, Brendan was the best. When he ran out of candles he was forced to make a stop, He tied up in Long Island and put America on the map. Did you know that Honolulu was found by a Kerryman, Who went on to find Australia then China and Japan. When he was touchin' 70, he began to miss the crack, Turnin' to his albatross he sez "I'm headin' back". To make it fast he bent the mast and built up mighty steam. Around Terra del Fuego and up the warm Gulf Stream, He crossed the last horizon, Mt. Brandon came in sight And when he cleared the customs into Dingle for the night. Whe he got the Cordon Bleu he went to douse the drought, He headed west to Kruger's* to murder pints of stout Around by Ballyferriter and up the Conor Pass He freewheeled into Brandon, the saint was home at last. The entire population came (281) the place was chock-a-block Love nor money wouldn't get your nose inside the shop. The fishermen hauled up their nets, the farmers left their hay, Kerry people know that saints don't turn up every day. Everythin' was goin' great 'til Brendan did announce His reason for returnin' was to try and set up house. The girls were flabbergasted at St. Bredan's neck To seek a wife so late in life and him a total wreck. Worn down by rejection that pierced his humble pride, "Begod", sez Brendan "If I run I'll surely catch the tide" Turnin' on his sandals he made straight for the docks And haulin' up his anchor he cast off from the rocks. As he sailed past Inishvickallaun there stood the albatross "I knew you'd never stick it out, 'tis great to see you boss" "I'm bailin' out" sez Brendan, "I badly need a break A fortnight is about as much as any aul saint could take." CHORUS "Is it right or left for Gibraltar" "What tack do I take for Mizen Head?" "I'd love to settle down near Ventry Harbour", St. Brendan to his albatross he said. |
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29 Aug 01 - 09:28 AM (#537403) Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: Charley Noble Great! Thanks so much! |
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30 Aug 01 - 09:16 AM (#538053) Subject: RE: song about Saint Brendan From: GUEST,Philippa see also Breandan voyage, which includes another lyric |