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Braigh Loch Iall​/​Paddy's Green Shamrock Shores

from The Sound of IONA by IONA

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Braigh Loch Iall/Paddy's Green Shamrock Shores
Scotland, Ireland

Bob launches us from the mists of the Banks of Locheil, an air on the great pipes, into an Irish song of emigration. During the potato famine (1845-51), a million people fled Ireland. Most of them never saw their families again. Departures to America were called "American wakes", and many songs detailing the poignant combination of homesickness and anticipation evolved during this time. Paddy's Green Shamrock Shores is one of the finest, and most upbeat: everyone ends up drinking in New York. And still does...

lyrics

Paddy's Green Shamrock Shores
From Derry Quay we sailed away on the twenty-third of May.
We were boarded by a pleasant crew, bound for Amerikay.
Fresh water there, we did take on, five thousand gallons or more,
In case we ran short on the way to New York,
Far away from the shamrock shores.

We sailed three days, we were all seasick, not a man on board was free,
We were all confined unto our bunks, with no one to pity poor me.
No father kind, nor mother dear, to lift up my head when it's sore,
Which made me think more of the lassie I left
On Paddy's green shamrock shores.

So fare thee well, sweet Liza dear, and likewise to Derry Town.
And twice farewell to my comrade boys, who dwell on that sainted ground.
If fortune should ever to favor me, and I to have money in store,
I'll come back and I'll wed the wee lassie I left
On Paddy's green shamrock shores.

We safely reached the other side, in three and twenty days.
We were taken as passengers by the hand, and led round in six different ways.
We each of us drank a parting glass, in case we might never meet more,
And we a drank a health to old Ireland, and Paddy's green shamrock shores.

© 1998 Barnaby Productions Inc.

credits

from The Sound of IONA, released October 30, 1998

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IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

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