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Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane

12 Jan 99 - 04:46 AM (#53604)
Subject: flower of sweet strabane
From: Maelgwyn

Does anyone know any versions of this besides the one in the database? I think De Danann did a slightly different version of it, but it's been a while since I heard it so I might be wrong.

12 Jan 99 - 05:55 AM (#53610)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Martin Ryan.

Maelgwyn,

The version in the DT is the one I sing. Some of it remembered from childhood and some, I think, based on Dan Mulner's (Liam's Brother!) book "Bonny Bunch of Roses".

There are variations around alright - rather than particularly different versions. There's a verse that refers to Inishowen (in Donegal - great festival there in March) - I've no idea why I don't sing it. It just doesn't stick in my head!

Regards

12 Jan 99 - 11:35 AM (#53662)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Jon W.

I have a tape of De Danaan's version somewhere. It is slightly different. In fact it is an a-cappella rendition by Johnny Moynihan and is found on the album "Selected Jigs, Reels, and Songs". I'll try and post the lyrics later if I can find the tape.

12 Jan 99 - 05:59 PM (#53717)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE (McNulty)
From: Frank Maher

Here's the one I have from the late 1930s sung by The McNulty Family...

If I were king of Ireland and all things at my will,
I'd roam for recreation, no comforts to find still.
The comforts I would like the best, as you might understand,
Is to win the heart of Martha, the flower of sweet Strabane.

Her cheeks they are a rosy red, her hair a lovely brown,
And o'er her milk-white shoulders, it carelessly hangs down.
She's one of the finest creatures of the whole Meladian clan,
And my heart is captivated by the flower of sweet Strabane.

I wish I had my darling girl, way down in Inishowen,
Or in some lovely valley in the county of Tyrone.
I'd do my whole endeavor; I'd work my newest plan,
To win the heart of Martha, the flower of sweet Strabane.

I've often been to Phoenix Park and in Killarney fair,
I've been to bonny Scotland, down the winding banks of Ayr,
But yet in all my travels, I never met with one
That could compare with Martha, the flower of sweet Strabane.

Adieu unto your Liffy's banks, and all its waters wide.
I'm sailing for America, whatever may betide.
Our boat is bound for Liverpool, right by the Isle of Man,
So farewell, my lovely Martha, the flower of sweet Strabane.

I'm taking this from a very old and scratchy 78 rpm so the words may not be 100% right...

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 9-Feb-03.

12 Jan 99 - 07:23 PM (#53732)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Martin Ryan.

Near enough, I'd say! In the second verse, "Meladian" should be "Milesian" - an old word for the Irish.

Regards

12 Jan 99 - 07:56 PM (#53742)
Subject: Lyr Add: FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE (from J Moynihan
From: Jon W.

And here's the one I promised...nothing new here, though.

THE FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE
As sung by Johnny Moynihan

If I was king of Erin's Isle, had all things at me will
I would roam throughout creation, new comforts to find still.
And the comfort I would seek the most, you well may understand,
Would be to gain lovely Martha, the flower of sweet Strabane.

Her cheeks, they are like the roses red, and her eyes are a lovely brown,
And over her lily white shoulders, her hair comes tumbling down.
She is one of the fairest creatures, and famous is her clan,
And me heart is fairly captured by the flower of sweet Strabane.

And if I had you, Martha, way down in Inishowen,
Or in some lonesome valley of the wild woods of Tyrone,
I would use me whole endeavor, and I'd strive to work me plan,
For to gain me prize and feast me eyes on the flower of sweet Strabane.

17 Apr 00 - 06:55 PM (#213351)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Áine

I've been listening to Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill's version of this song on her CD No Dowry. In the back of my mind is the thought that I've heard the same tune used in a song that's sung in Irish. Does anyone know what song it might be? I can't think of the words -- I seem to remember hearing it at a pub one night in Donegal. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

-- Áine

17 Apr 00 - 07:40 PM (#213373)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)

best version I have heard is by Margaret Barry on Her Mantle So Green I think!

Conrad

18 Apr 00 - 02:50 AM (#213516)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

áine

Doesn't "Gleanntán glas Gaoith Dobhair" use the same air? I think there are others as Gaeilge - all relatively recent.

Regards

18 Apr 00 - 03:46 AM (#213525)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

Now that my ears have woken up, I realise "Gleanntán.." is to the "Paddy's Greeen Shamrock Shore" air - which is a distant cousin of "Strabane", at most.
18 Apr 00 - 12:27 PM (#213739)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Ranks

You are right Conrad, Maggie Barrys version is by far the best.

Ranks

18 Apr 00 - 06:44 PM (#213959)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)

IMHO all of the songs on that recording are fantastic. The galway shawl is also sung properly- I really dont like the 3/4 version unless folks are dancing.

Conrad

21 Apr 00 - 12:22 PM (#215606)
Subject: Chords Req: Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: Áine

Does anyone have the chords for guitar to this song? We've two great threads discussing the lyrics, but no one's mentioned the chords yet. If you happen to have them in standard tuning, that would great!

-- Áine

22 Apr 00 - 06:08 PM (#216215)
Subject: Chords Add: THE FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE
From: Áine

Well, I found them myself. Here they are (for the first verse) if anyone's interested:

If(D) I were King of Ire(A)land and all things at(Bm) my will
I'd roam through all creation's new fortunes to find still(A)
And the for(Bm)tune I would seek the most you all must understand(A)
is to win(Bm) the heart of Mar(A)tha the flower of sweet(Bm) Strabane.

11 Jan 03 - 10:09 AM (#864368)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: GUEST,Patgm@aol.com

I am looking for the music for Flower of Sweet Strabane.

11 Jan 03 - 10:32 AM (#864381)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Sorcha

Flower of Sweet Strabane at Another Digital Tradition. E mail sent, with link.

11 Jan 03 - 11:30 AM (#864425)
Subject: RE: flower of sweet strabane
From: Peg

I sing Maighreadh ni Dhomnaill's version; slightly different lyrics than those above. That is a great CD, by the way for anyone interested in traditional singing! and Donal Lunny's arrangements are great.

12 Jan 03 - 02:06 PM (#865297)
Subject: Lyr Add: FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE
From: ciarili

This is Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill's version:

Flower of Sweet Strabane

If I was King of Ireland, with all things at my will
I'd roam for recreation, new comforts to find still
But the comfort I would like the best, as you will understand
Would be to gain that lovely maid, the Flower of Sweet Strabane

Her cheeks were like the roses red, her hair of lovely brown
And o'er her milk-white shoulders in ringlets hanging down
She is one of the fairest creature of the whole Milesian clan
Sure my heart is fairly captured by the Flower of Sweet Strabane

I've often been in Phoenix Park, and in Killarney fair
Likewise in bonnie Scotland, and the winding banks of Ayr
But yet, in all my travels, I never met with one
That I could compare with Martha, the Flower of Sweet Strabane

I wish I had my darling way down in Inishowen
Or in some lonesome valley in the wild woods of Tír Eoghain
I would do my best endeavour, I would work my newest plan
For to gain you, lovely Martha, the Flower of Sweet Strabane

But since I cannot win you, love, no joy there is for me
And I will seek forgetfulness in that land across the sea
Unless you chance to follow me, I'll swear by my right hand
MacDonald's face you never will see, fair Flower of Sweet Strabane

Farewell to bonnie Lifford and to Mourne's sweet waterside
I'm sailing for America whatever may betide
Our ship is bound for Liverpool, straight by the Isle of Man
So, farewell my dearest Martha, the Flower of Sweet Strabane

13 Jan 03 - 06:18 AM (#865796)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: Big Tim

Other notable recording include:

John McGettigan (1882-1965), from Donegal, date not found, but probably 1920s.

Bridie Gallagher, from Donegal, 1962.

Norma Waterson, very recent. Learned from the Barry (1917-89) recording, 1955.

Strabane and Lifford are "twin towns", tho Strabane is in NI and Lifford is in the Republic. There, the River Mourne combines with the River Finn to form the River Foyle, then Lough Foyle, the western shore of which is "way down in Inishowen".

I seem to recall from a previous discussion that it first surfaced in the 1830s. Anyone know the origins of this beautiful song?

13 Jan 03 - 07:49 AM (#865819)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: John Moulden

The version Mairead sings is substantially that given in Sam Henry's "Songs of the People" but omits the opening verse. According to Sam Henry's note (of 1928) - "It tells of a draper's assistant named MacDonald who soughht in vain the hand of his employer's daughter, Miss Ramsay, of Strabane. The song is about 80 years old. It was first published in a Derry newspaper by Dan McAnaw in 1909 but the air is now published for the first time."

That dates it approx 1846. The paper mentioned is probably the Derry Journal but a search I made some time past did not reveal it.

13 Jan 03 - 08:01 AM (#865831)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: ard mhacha

Great song sung by a great singer Paddy Reilly, none better. Ard Mhacha.

13 Jan 03 - 08:22 AM (#865844)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: Paddy Plastique

Great song alright - love the Margaret Barry version.
Must also take the chance to mention that Strabane is also the birthplace & early childhood home of Brian O'Nolan / Flann O'Brien. I've heard they've even named some street after him.

13 Jan 03 - 10:26 AM (#865916)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan

Paddy

Which of him? !!! Or maybe it was Sir Myles na Gopaleen?
Regards

13 Jan 03 - 11:07 AM (#865951)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: weerover

I have just received a bunch of miscellaneous recordings from a most generous regular Mudcat contributor. By coincidence I was listening to Margaret Barry singing "Flower of Sweet Strabane" as I read this thread - she sure gets my vote.

13 Jan 03 - 03:00 PM (#866106)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: Big Tim

Thanks John. Strabane is also the home town of Paul Brady!

13 Jan 03 - 11:07 PM (#866387)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: flower of sweet strabane
From: ciarili

John, is this the first verse, the one left out by Maighread?

As I rode out one evening being in the month of May
Down by a shady garden I carelessly did stray
I spied a lovely fair maiden as you can understand
And they called her lovely Martha, the Flower of Sweet Strabane

22 Sep 12 - 11:50 PM (#3408905)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: GUEST,Cormac

ciarili    version and jon w versions are away off track,   as a Strabane man and a direct Descendant of Martha Ramsey "The flower of sweet Strabane"   I have the correct version somewhere, and when I get time I will post it. :)

23 Sep 12 - 09:00 AM (#3408998)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: GUEST

Check out my YouTube version:

The Flower Of Sweet Strabane

Kind regards from the Isle of Man

Tony

24 Sep 12 - 08:44 AM (#3409387)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: GUEST,Desi C

I'm sure there's a version on Martin Dardis's site unitedirelandtripod.ie

24 Sep 12 - 02:34 PM (#3409510)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: GUEST,Lighter

Nice! A great song.

06 Dec 15 - 07:30 PM (#3756273)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: GUEST,Direct descendant

@Frank Maher There are some words in your version that are wrong.   I am a direct descendant of Martha Ramsey I still live in Strabane not to far from where Martha was born actually. I shall post the proper version when I have time.   The are verses missed down through the years. Great to see so many comments and interest shown.

14 Mar 20 - 09:04 AM (#4039479)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Flower of Sweet Strabane
From: GUEST,pollypaulusma

Such a lovely song. I have sung a version of it too. The novelist Angela Carter was recorded singing this song in Cheltenham at the folk club there in 1967. I have bene researching Carter's influence from the folk songs she sang for some years now. If the Direct Descendant of Martha Ramsay who made this last post can tell us any more about the song, and/or post the 'proper version' to which she or he refers, it would be amazing!