Hey H
as I recall that poster was for the Festival that followed the one I organised in the Meeting Place circa 75/76…the Festival you illustrate was run by my Sister Eilish and some of her friends…
Hi Christy.Eileen and I are greatly looking forward tonight in INEC, Killarney.Would love if you could dedicate a song to the memory of a great friend, musician and singer and one of your great fans -Seán Mac Mathúna ( Johnny Fish) from Cappagh, Brandon who passed away too young last year (65).We started going to see you in The Meeting Place in 1978/1979.Oh to hear you and Jimmy Faulkner perform again.
We had Jim Page in Brandon this year and heard his songs that you introduced to us over the years.Would love to hear ‘Two Island Swans’ for Eileen who has been married to me for 40 years this year and also for John Mc.
We sang all of your songs in venues in New York in the 1980s with the band Heather Breeze.Even our great friend Tommy Makem who owned Tommy Makems Irish Pavillion on 57thStreet on 2nd Ave.When we ‘Heather Breeze’ auditioned to play as the new Irish Immigrants, his one question was if we knew any Christy Moore songs.We knew from then on we were ‘at Mhuin na Muice’.
Apologies for the reminiscing but they are the stories we tell our children.Really looking forward to the concert tonight agus beidh Failte Romhat Ar ais go Bréanainn aon uair is mian leat.
Christy's reply
we loves the bit of reminiscing here Paddy… we seek a mixture of past,present and future, ..rawmaishing about songs, singers ,gigs ,venues, rogan joshes, skippers & spikes, real ale, hashish, parish priests , pariahs and piranas, long hauls, short orders, mixed grills, spice bags and ghee bags,
great to see The Meeting Place remembered, RIP The Three Spillane Brothers Paddy,The Badger (aka Sean) and Skinnier (aka Shay & El Smir) they ran a great pub… always hot, never cool,
any other readers here from The Meeting Place days…. anyone recall the first Dublin Folk Festival…decent spot prize if anyone can produce the poster..thats a long shot
Hi Christy,
Pádraig missed a beat leaving that line out.
Maybe there’s a wee stream off the river of song
where the lines that don’t make it flow. Any excuse…
A young boy slips quietly through the rushes
As Mountcharles surveys the battlefield
And the silk clad pompadour who played Sun City
Hears little of the corpse among the reeds
The mist comes swirling o’er the mountain
The children have forgotten how to play
The death train sneaks across the island
Deadly poison bound for Killala Bay
Another top selection by Rory…
I was familiar with the true tragedy of Tim Evans,but the power of the song is mighty…and,the impact of your rock version…I.remember playing it a lot on a cassette tape with pleasant surprise that you’d taken a different approach…fair play to you and all involved.
Have a great gig.
Dave
Christy's reply
“The Governer came to his cell
the Chaplain by his side
your appeal has been turned down
prepare yourself to die”
Hi Christy,
Just a quick note to say my family and I are looking forward to going down to Killarney to see you play tomorrow night. It will be my children’s (Ellie 10 and Ógie 8- big fans!!) first gig and we can’t wait to share what will be an amazing night with them. They listen to your music everyday and love singing along especially to Casey, Nancy Spain and The Contender.
Very many thanks,Christy.
Great to have context…a very emotional song by a master writer…I’m glad to hear both versions doing justice to such evocative words and imagery.
Cheaper than a cafe coffee,today I bought a copy of MacColl and Seeger’s ‘Naming of names ‘…released in 1990,it’s a document of times that many of us endured via the policies of a grocers daughter….
A main reason for the purchase is to hear Ewan sing ‘The Island’..a fins song that he performs with great sensitivity…I’ve been familiar with your superb version for a long time,but can’t remember how it came your way…if you have time,please give info – is it played on gigs at all?
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
Across the troubled years I contacted Ewan wondering might he consider a song…he made contact and outlined his reticence and explained simply…. towards the end of his life he sent me this song…I value it deeply….I’ve been considering it again of late…
The family made contact when they were assembling their Ewan collection.. they invited me to sing Green Island ….I asked might I sing Good Ship Granma instead (aka Companeros aka Fidel & Che)
To this day I regret that…I should have sung what I was invited to sing……
Green Island
Ewan MacColl
The island lies like a leaf upon the sea.
Green island like a leaf new-fallen from the tree.
Green turns to gold,
as morning breeze gently shakes the barley,
bending the yellow corn.
Green turns to gold,
there’s purple shadows on the distant mountains.
Sun in the yellow corn.
They came in their long ships from lands across the sea.
They came in their long ships – they saw the land was green.
Wind in the barley,
trout and salmon leaping in the rivers.
Sun in the yellow corn.
Leaping ashore
they slaughtered those laboured in the barley,
scything them down like corn.
The long ships sailed away and new invaders came.
With long bow and lance bringing death in England’s name.
With sword and with mace,
they went reaping though the fields of barley,
They plundered the yellow corn.
Crop followed crop,
they prospered in their killing fields of barley,
The harvest of new young corn.
Marching down the years the men of war they came,
with bombs, assassins, bullets, CS gas and guns.
Ghosts from the past
are chasing shadows through the fields of barley
hiding in the new young corn.
Nine hundred years
they tried to trap the wind that shakes the barley.
Sun in the yellow corn.
The island lies like a leaf upon the sea.
Green island like a leaf new-fallen from the tree.
Green turns to gold,
as morning breeze gently shakes the barley,
bending the yellow corn.
No force on Earth
can ever trap the wind that shakes the barley.
Sun in the yellow corn.
How to make Yorkshire tea
By John Brennan (with a couple of additions from me).
Nah then, tha wants t’empty t’owd watter aht ‘ot kettle and fill ‘er up wi’ fresh watter afoor tha puts her ont ‘ob. Get taypot reet nicely warmed up an’ dry insahd, an then get thi tay in. One spoon pe person and one fut pot.
Nah, soon as ‘kettle comes t’t boil an’ not a second afoor or aftah, get watter pooared int ‘pot.
Dooan’t furget! Allus tek pot t’kettle and not kettle t’pot. Lerrit mash a fair while’ an then girrit a stir affoor tja pooars it aht.
Nah, thez summas puts milk in fust an’ summas put tay in fust. To oor way o’ thinkin’, ‘impooarant thing is to mek certain tha’s med plenty for second elpin’s!
Woody was a punk
Tommy was a runt
They went down to the Garda club
And they both got drunk
Christy's reply
“Porter sharks 10 deep at the bar
Thirsty Ducks goin mad for the jar”
( additional lines to Padraig Steven’s classic “Tuam Beat”
verse 2
“Stall her sham you’re only spoofin
you’re huffin and you’re puffin and you’re blowin the roof in
I got the electric guitar
with the pick-up and the tremolo bar”
The Bard of Tuam has great way with words
“and the Tuam Beet goes Sugar Sugar
and the heart speaks, Hows Your Mother
and the Tuam Beet goes shimmy shammy
and the heart speaks, Hows Your Mammy”
to the youth center in the middle of town
gonna have to close it down
can’t afford to have you hangin’ ‘round
in Zurich
Some great songs, understandably due to there being so many, that don’t get heard so often these days.
Having played the Box Set and Where i Come From both this week there are a few more gems to follow Christy
Christy's reply
Thanks Rory,
I always get a lift when thon Box Set gets a mention
You have been a great supporter of that project
“outside diamond jewelry windows
dazzling their sight at night”
Been a big fan of many of your songs and stories for many years. Had a question for you in regards to “the workers are being used again”. I love the song but I have just one question. I’m a young enough person, just 21, and as far as I can tell despite the catastrophic events of fukishima and chernobyl, nuclear fission is safe, efficient, and doesn’t destroy the atmosphere. I was wondering if, all these years later, if you are still anti-nuclear energy?
Christy's reply
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for sharing…
I’m an old person, just turned 80…
I think the world is fucked…
George Carlin described it best***….
You say “Despite the catastrophic events of Fukishima and Chernobyl,
Nuclear Fission is safe, efficient and does’nt destroy the atmosphere”
Thats some spake.
Every passing year we consume more more more, ( mea cupla fresin) we’re obsessed, addicted, utterly reliant on more more power/energy
I’m exhausted thinking about it
the world is on fire
My faith in younger generations took a knock when I read that..
But I wish you well Patrick Kelly..
If we’re still here I hope to play Salthill before too long….more power
we loves Galway
*** in 5 million years the only trace of human existence left on this planet will be plastic and nuclear waste
George was old but never got older
The latest is a gem…with news of a fab release in August…home recordings by Woody Inc the only known version of ‘Deportees’. Lots more good reading as well ..
In other news…Manchester Central Library has a really interesting punk exhibition…in the first floor exhibition cases…once home to Bill Leader and folkies..variety is certainly spice…
Morning Christy hope all is well with you fair play to Kildare o the double big ball and small ball both back with the big boys now.
The Massey failed the nct so we’ll be bringing the car to Kilarney myself and herself and son and daughter are heading down first time at a gig in INEC really looking forward to it, I see from the last set list Michael Hayes featured if it suits could it feature again on Saturday night I may have said this before ut when I was bringing my son Adam to play school we had your cd on and 3 songs on the cd got to town Honda 50 Michael Hayes and Easter snow he said one morning Michael Hayes was a good song then aged 4 now 17 and playing some gigs with me anyway if.it suits or the Cliffs
Anyway face the puck out ground hurling
Hello Christy,
Ok, a bit of fiddling about and I’ve got it all.
This is such a fascinating song with all its age and twists and turns!
Rebecca
Lord Bateman
Collected from Mrs Ellen Bray (84) in Hull, 7th April 1968.
Lord Bateman was a noble lord, A noble lord of high degree, He shipped himself on a great ship, Some foreign country he would go see.
He sail-ed east, he sail-ed west, He sail-ed into proud Turkey, Where he was taken and cast in prison, Until his sweet life was so weary.
In this prison there was a tree, It grew so bold, it grew so strong, And he was chained all by the middle, Till his sweet life was almost gone.
The Turk he had an only daughter The fairest creature that ever you’d see; She stole the keys of her father’s prison, She swore Lord Bateman she would set free.
“Oh, have you got lands and have you got houses, And does Northumberland belong to thee? What will you give to a fair young lady, If out of prison she’ll set you free?”
“Oh, I’ve got lands and I’ve got houses, And half Northumberland belongs to me, And I’ll give it all to a fair young lady, If out of prison she’ll set me free.”
She took him to her father’s castle, And they drank of his best wine, And every health that she drank to him, “I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.”
For seven long years they made a vow, For seven long years they kep’ it strong. “If you will wed with no other woman, Then I will wed with no other man.”
She took him to her father’s harbour, And gave to him a ship of fame. “Farewell, farewell, to you. Lord Bateman, I fear I shall never see you again!”
When seven long years were past and gone, And fourteen days well-known to me, She packed up all her gay clothing, She swore Lord Bateman she would go see.
She went to Lord Bateman in his castle, So boldly she did ring the bell, “Who’s there, who’s there? Come, quickly tell.” “Who’s there, who’s there?” cried the proud young porter,
“Does Lord Bateman now live here, Or is his Lordship now within?” “Oh, yes, oh, yes,’ s,” cried the proud young porter, “He’s just now taken his wed bride in.”
“Tell him to send me a slice of bread, And a glass of the best wine, And not to forget the fair young creature, Who released him out of prison when close confined.”
The proud young porter to Lord Bateman went, Away, away and away went he, Until he came to Lord Bateman’s chamber, And on his bended knees fell he.
“Pray, pray tell me what news, what news, What news, what news, pray tell to me.” “There is the finest creature then, That ever my two eyes did see.
“She has got rings on every finger, And on one finger she’s got three, She’s as much gay gold all about her waist, As would buy all Northumberland from thee.
“She told me to send her a slice of bread, And a glass of your best wine, And not to forget the fair young creature, Who released you out of prison when close confined.”
Lord Bateman in a passion flew, Broke his sword in splinters three, “All my large fortune I’ll freely give, If that Sophia has crossed the sea.”
Up spoke the bride’s mother then, Who’d never been known to speak so free, “What is to become of my only daughter, If that Sophia has crossed the sea?”
“Your daughter then is none the worse, Nor none the better for knowing me, She came to me on a horse and saddle, She shall go back in the coach and three.”
Christy's reply
go raibh míle maith agat
tá áthas mór orm, agus mise ag léamh an scéal seo
fair play Bonny Lass…thee’s made an auld boy well content ..
( at least 3 different dialects !!!)
Hello Christy,
A new book arrived here today, A Yorkshire Songster, Folk songs collected in Yorkshire since the second world war. Selected by Steve Gardham.
Lots of local songs in it the I’ve never seen or heard before. But one of them made me think of you
I know you’ll be very busy right now, but I thought you might be interested to see a version of Lord Baker collected in 1968 in Hull.
Pics here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14DN1yPyQ2M/
Can’t wait to see you Saturday night in The Gleneagle…. we making a loooong weekend of it heading off from Holyhead tomorrow all the way down to Killarney by road……….here we come!!! YIPEEEEEE
You might consider “Matty” or “Go Move Shift” or “Deportee Club” well any of them really love them all.
You never said which song you wrote in Killarney was it “St Brendans Voyage”?
We will be in the big pool in Killarney getting ready for the big sess. Hope not too warm for ye..
Karen & Jamie ANGLESEY
Christy's reply
song choice noted but no guarantee… I’ve never gigged “Deportee’s Club” (that I can recall)…I sing it sometimes to myself here in the work room… I wrote “They Never Came Home” in Killarney…also a verse of “Tyrone Boys” since deleted
Hi C Could you narrow it down,when was the first Dublin Folk Festival 1977 ? https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images.itma.ie/posters1970s/15591-POS.jpg Safe travelling all An Riocht awaits !! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hey H
as I recall that poster was for the Festival that followed the one I organised in the Meeting Place circa 75/76…the Festival you illustrate was run by my Sister Eilish and some of her friends…
Hi Christy.Eileen and I are greatly looking forward tonight in INEC, Killarney.Would love if you could dedicate a song to the memory of a great friend, musician and singer and one of your great fans -Seán Mac Mathúna ( Johnny Fish) from Cappagh, Brandon who passed away too young last year (65).We started going to see you in The Meeting Place in 1978/1979.Oh to hear you and Jimmy Faulkner perform again.
We had Jim Page in Brandon this year and heard his songs that you introduced to us over the years.Would love to hear ‘Two Island Swans’ for Eileen who has been married to me for 40 years this year and also for John Mc.
We sang all of your songs in venues in New York in the 1980s with the band Heather Breeze.Even our great friend Tommy Makem who owned Tommy Makems Irish Pavillion on 57thStreet on 2nd Ave.When we ‘Heather Breeze’ auditioned to play as the new Irish Immigrants, his one question was if we knew any Christy Moore songs.We knew from then on we were ‘at Mhuin na Muice’.
Apologies for the reminiscing but they are the stories we tell our children.Really looking forward to the concert tonight agus beidh Failte Romhat Ar ais go Bréanainn aon uair is mian leat.
we loves the bit of reminiscing here Paddy… we seek a mixture of past,present and future, ..rawmaishing about songs, singers ,gigs ,venues, rogan joshes, skippers & spikes, real ale, hashish, parish priests , pariahs and piranas, long hauls, short orders, mixed grills, spice bags and ghee bags,
great to see The Meeting Place remembered, RIP The Three Spillane Brothers Paddy,The Badger (aka Sean) and Skinnier (aka Shay & El Smir) they ran a great pub… always hot, never cool,
any other readers here from The Meeting Place days…. anyone recall the first Dublin Folk Festival…decent spot prize if anyone can produce the poster..thats a long shot
Hi Christy,
Pádraig missed a beat leaving that line out.
Maybe there’s a wee stream off the river of song
where the lines that don’t make it flow. Any excuse…
A young boy slips quietly through the rushes
As Mountcharles surveys the battlefield
And the silk clad pompadour who played Sun City
Hears little of the corpse among the reeds
The mist comes swirling o’er the mountain
The children have forgotten how to play
The death train sneaks across the island
Deadly poison bound for Killala Bay
Tabhair Aire and enjoy the tar
Bourkey
Hi Christy
Another top selection by Rory…
I was familiar with the true tragedy of Tim Evans,but the power of the song is mighty…and,the impact of your rock version…I.remember playing it a lot on a cassette tape with pleasant surprise that you’d taken a different approach…fair play to you and all involved.
Have a great gig.
Dave
“The Governer came to his cell
the Chaplain by his side
your appeal has been turned down
prepare yourself to die”
Hi Christy,
Just a quick note to say my family and I are looking forward to going down to Killarney to see you play tomorrow night. It will be my children’s (Ellie 10 and Ógie 8- big fans!!) first gig and we can’t wait to share what will be an amazing night with them. They listen to your music everyday and love singing along especially to Casey, Nancy Spain and The Contender.
Roll on tomorrow night!
Michelle.
Christy
Here’s another partially hidden gem.
They sent Tim Evans to the drop for a crime he did not do
Dr. Christie was the murderer, the judge and jury too.
A favoured song of a great man.
A fine song indeed.
Rory
Very many thanks,Christy.
Great to have context…a very emotional song by a master writer…I’m glad to hear both versions doing justice to such evocative words and imagery.
Dave
Hi Christy
Cheaper than a cafe coffee,today I bought a copy of MacColl and Seeger’s ‘Naming of names ‘…released in 1990,it’s a document of times that many of us endured via the policies of a grocers daughter….
A main reason for the purchase is to hear Ewan sing ‘The Island’..a fins song that he performs with great sensitivity…I’ve been familiar with your superb version for a long time,but can’t remember how it came your way…if you have time,please give info – is it played on gigs at all?
All the best
Dave
Across the troubled years I contacted Ewan wondering might he consider a song…he made contact and outlined his reticence and explained simply…. towards the end of his life he sent me this song…I value it deeply….I’ve been considering it again of late…
The family made contact when they were assembling their Ewan collection.. they invited me to sing Green Island ….I asked might I sing Good Ship Granma instead (aka Companeros aka Fidel & Che)
To this day I regret that…I should have sung what I was invited to sing……
Green Island
Ewan MacColl
The island lies like a leaf upon the sea.
Green island like a leaf new-fallen from the tree.
Green turns to gold,
as morning breeze gently shakes the barley,
bending the yellow corn.
Green turns to gold,
there’s purple shadows on the distant mountains.
Sun in the yellow corn.
They came in their long ships from lands across the sea.
They came in their long ships – they saw the land was green.
Wind in the barley,
trout and salmon leaping in the rivers.
Sun in the yellow corn.
Leaping ashore
they slaughtered those laboured in the barley,
scything them down like corn.
The long ships sailed away and new invaders came.
With long bow and lance bringing death in England’s name.
With sword and with mace,
they went reaping though the fields of barley,
They plundered the yellow corn.
Crop followed crop,
they prospered in their killing fields of barley,
The harvest of new young corn.
Marching down the years the men of war they came,
with bombs, assassins, bullets, CS gas and guns.
Ghosts from the past
are chasing shadows through the fields of barley
hiding in the new young corn.
Nine hundred years
they tried to trap the wind that shakes the barley.
Sun in the yellow corn.
The island lies like a leaf upon the sea.
Green island like a leaf new-fallen from the tree.
Green turns to gold,
as morning breeze gently shakes the barley,
bending the yellow corn.
No force on Earth
can ever trap the wind that shakes the barley.
Sun in the yellow corn.
How to make Yorkshire tea
By John Brennan (with a couple of additions from me).
Nah then, tha wants t’empty t’owd watter aht ‘ot kettle and fill ‘er up wi’ fresh watter afoor tha puts her ont ‘ob. Get taypot reet nicely warmed up an’ dry insahd, an then get thi tay in. One spoon pe person and one fut pot.
Nah, soon as ‘kettle comes t’t boil an’ not a second afoor or aftah, get watter pooared int ‘pot.
Dooan’t furget! Allus tek pot t’kettle and not kettle t’pot. Lerrit mash a fair while’ an then girrit a stir affoor tja pooars it aht.
Nah, thez summas puts milk in fust an’ summas put tay in fust. To oor way o’ thinkin’, ‘impooarant thing is to mek certain tha’s med plenty for second elpin’s!
just gonna stick the kettle on
Hello Christy,
My heart sang when I saw your replies.
I’d love to hear new versions of Lord Baker and its stable mates from you.
Magic.
Rebecca
it will be on my mind….thank you
Woody was a punk
Tommy was a runt
They went down to the Garda club
And they both got drunk
“Porter sharks 10 deep at the bar
Thirsty Ducks goin mad for the jar”
( additional lines to Padraig Steven’s classic “Tuam Beat”
verse 2
“Stall her sham you’re only spoofin
you’re huffin and you’re puffin and you’re blowin the roof in
I got the electric guitar
with the pick-up and the tremolo bar”
The Bard of Tuam has great way with words
“and the Tuam Beet goes Sugar Sugar
and the heart speaks, Hows Your Mother
and the Tuam Beet goes shimmy shammy
and the heart speaks, Hows Your Mammy”
He brings Beauty to the Town
to the youth center in the middle of town
gonna have to close it down
can’t afford to have you hangin’ ‘round
in Zurich
Some great songs, understandably due to there being so many, that don’t get heard so often these days.
Having played the Box Set and Where i Come From both this week there are a few more gems to follow Christy
Thanks Rory,
I always get a lift when thon Box Set gets a mention
You have been a great supporter of that project
“outside diamond jewelry windows
dazzling their sight at night”
Hi Christy,
Been a big fan of many of your songs and stories for many years. Had a question for you in regards to “the workers are being used again”. I love the song but I have just one question. I’m a young enough person, just 21, and as far as I can tell despite the catastrophic events of fukishima and chernobyl, nuclear fission is safe, efficient, and doesn’t destroy the atmosphere. I was wondering if, all these years later, if you are still anti-nuclear energy?
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for sharing…
I’m an old person, just turned 80…
I think the world is fucked…
George Carlin described it best***….
You say “Despite the catastrophic events of Fukishima and Chernobyl,
Nuclear Fission is safe, efficient and does’nt destroy the atmosphere”
Thats some spake.
Every passing year we consume more more more, ( mea cupla fresin) we’re obsessed, addicted, utterly reliant on more more power/energy
I’m exhausted thinking about it
the world is on fire
My faith in younger generations took a knock when I read that..
But I wish you well Patrick Kelly..
If we’re still here I hope to play Salthill before too long….more power
we loves Galway
*** in 5 million years the only trace of human existence left on this planet will be plastic and nuclear waste
George was old but never got older
Hi Christy
Always good to get newsletters from. http://Www.woodyguthrie.org
The latest is a gem…with news of a fab release in August…home recordings by Woody Inc the only known version of ‘Deportees’. Lots more good reading as well ..
In other news…Manchester Central Library has a really interesting punk exhibition…in the first floor exhibition cases…once home to Bill Leader and folkies..variety is certainly spice…
All the best
Dave.
Woody was a Punk
Morning Christy hope all is well with you fair play to Kildare o the double big ball and small ball both back with the big boys now.
The Massey failed the nct so we’ll be bringing the car to Kilarney myself and herself and son and daughter are heading down first time at a gig in INEC really looking forward to it, I see from the last set list Michael Hayes featured if it suits could it feature again on Saturday night I may have said this before ut when I was bringing my son Adam to play school we had your cd on and 3 songs on the cd got to town Honda 50 Michael Hayes and Easter snow he said one morning Michael Hayes was a good song then aged 4 now 17 and playing some gigs with me anyway if.it suits or the Cliffs
Anyway face the puck out ground hurling
It’s missing your last verse of course, which I think needs adding.
This is wonderful and greatly appreciated…
It causes me to reflect again upon Lord Baker
to “go at it agin”
Hello Christy,
Ok, a bit of fiddling about and I’ve got it all.
This is such a fascinating song with all its age and twists and turns!
Rebecca
Lord Bateman
Collected from Mrs Ellen Bray (84) in Hull, 7th April 1968.
Lord Bateman was a noble lord, A noble lord of high degree, He shipped himself on a great ship, Some foreign country he would go see.
He sail-ed east, he sail-ed west, He sail-ed into proud Turkey, Where he was taken and cast in prison, Until his sweet life was so weary.
In this prison there was a tree, It grew so bold, it grew so strong, And he was chained all by the middle, Till his sweet life was almost gone.
The Turk he had an only daughter The fairest creature that ever you’d see; She stole the keys of her father’s prison, She swore Lord Bateman she would set free.
“Oh, have you got lands and have you got houses, And does Northumberland belong to thee? What will you give to a fair young lady, If out of prison she’ll set you free?”
“Oh, I’ve got lands and I’ve got houses, And half Northumberland belongs to me, And I’ll give it all to a fair young lady, If out of prison she’ll set me free.”
She took him to her father’s castle, And they drank of his best wine, And every health that she drank to him, “I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.”
For seven long years they made a vow, For seven long years they kep’ it strong. “If you will wed with no other woman, Then I will wed with no other man.”
She took him to her father’s harbour, And gave to him a ship of fame. “Farewell, farewell, to you. Lord Bateman, I fear I shall never see you again!”
When seven long years were past and gone, And fourteen days well-known to me, She packed up all her gay clothing, She swore Lord Bateman she would go see.
She went to Lord Bateman in his castle, So boldly she did ring the bell, “Who’s there, who’s there? Come, quickly tell.” “Who’s there, who’s there?” cried the proud young porter,
“Does Lord Bateman now live here, Or is his Lordship now within?” “Oh, yes, oh, yes,’ s,” cried the proud young porter, “He’s just now taken his wed bride in.”
“Tell him to send me a slice of bread, And a glass of the best wine, And not to forget the fair young creature, Who released him out of prison when close confined.”
The proud young porter to Lord Bateman went, Away, away and away went he, Until he came to Lord Bateman’s chamber, And on his bended knees fell he.
“Pray, pray tell me what news, what news, What news, what news, pray tell to me.” “There is the finest creature then, That ever my two eyes did see.
“She has got rings on every finger, And on one finger she’s got three, She’s as much gay gold all about her waist, As would buy all Northumberland from thee.
“She told me to send her a slice of bread, And a glass of your best wine, And not to forget the fair young creature, Who released you out of prison when close confined.”
Lord Bateman in a passion flew, Broke his sword in splinters three, “All my large fortune I’ll freely give, If that Sophia has crossed the sea.”
Up spoke the bride’s mother then, Who’d never been known to speak so free, “What is to become of my only daughter, If that Sophia has crossed the sea?”
“Your daughter then is none the worse, Nor none the better for knowing me, She came to me on a horse and saddle, She shall go back in the coach and three.”
go raibh míle maith agat
tá áthas mór orm, agus mise ag léamh an scéal seo
fair play Bonny Lass…thee’s made an auld boy well content ..
( at least 3 different dialects !!!)
I’m not sure that link is working properly.
I’ll try again
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AmzFiBBe7/
Thanks for posting
but unable to read the full lyric
I’d certainly be interested
Hello Christy,
A new book arrived here today, A Yorkshire Songster, Folk songs collected in Yorkshire since the second world war. Selected by Steve Gardham.
Lots of local songs in it the I’ve never seen or heard before. But one of them made me think of you
I know you’ll be very busy right now, but I thought you might be interested to see a version of Lord Baker collected in 1968 in Hull.
Pics here
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14DN1yPyQ2M/
Rebecca
Hey Christy,
Can’t wait to see you Saturday night in The Gleneagle…. we making a loooong weekend of it heading off from Holyhead tomorrow all the way down to Killarney by road……….here we come!!! YIPEEEEEE
You might consider “Matty” or “Go Move Shift” or “Deportee Club” well any of them really love them all.
You never said which song you wrote in Killarney was it “St Brendans Voyage”?
We will be in the big pool in Killarney getting ready for the big sess. Hope not too warm for ye..
Karen & Jamie ANGLESEY
song choice noted but no guarantee… I’ve never gigged “Deportee’s Club” (that I can recall)…I sing it sometimes to myself here in the work room… I wrote “They Never Came Home” in Killarney…also a verse of “Tyrone Boys” since deleted