The Mountains of Mourne

 

                                                Keith Harkin of the Celtic Thunder.

The Mountains o' Mourne

by Percy French (1896)

  During this time, Ireland had been divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  It was a volatile time for the country. Northern Ireland remained mainly protestant, while the Republic was primarily Catholic. After much violence, the creation of the Republic of Ireland occurred. The Acts of the Union started in Jan. 1,1900, and was terribly deadly, 1922 - 1923. An agreement in it took some time for The Troubles to settle down. Lots of history cultural crammed into that song.

Percy French was a prolific song writer, late 1800 to early 1900s. This is a long poem, so choose what means something to you.

The Mountains of Mourne

Oh, Mary, this London's a wonderful sight,

With people all working by day and by night.

Sure, they don't sow potatoes, nor barley, nor wheat,

But there's gangs of them digging for gold in the street.

 

At least when I asked them that's what I was told,

So I just took a hand at this digging for gold,

But for all that I found there I might as well be

Where the Mountains o' Mourne sweep down to the sea.

I believe that when writing a wish you expressed

As to how the fine ladies in London are dressed,

Well if you'll believe me, when asked to a ball,

They don't wear no top to their dresses at all.

Oh I've seen them meself and you could not in truth,

Say if they were bound for a ball or a bath.

Don't be starting such fashions, now, Mary, mo chroí, (my heart),

Where the Mountains o' Mourne sweep down to the sea.

I've seen England's king from the top of a bus

And I've never known him, but he means to know us.

And tho' by the Saxon we once were oppressed,

Still I cheered, God forgive me, I cheered with the rest.

And now that he's visited Erin's green shore

We'll be much better friends than we've been heretofore

When we've got all we want, we're as quiet as can be

Where the Mountains o' Mourne sweep down to the sea.

You remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course,

Well, now he is here at the head of the Force.

I met him today, I was crossing the Strand,

And he stopped the whole street with a wave of his hand.

And there we stood talkin' of days that are gone,

While the whole population of London looked on.

But for all these great powers he's wishful like me,

To be back where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea.

There's beautiful girls here, oh, never you mind,

With beautiful shapes nature never designed,

And lovely complexions all roses and cream,

But let me remark with regard to the same

 

That if of those roses you ventured to sip,

The colours might all come away on your lip,

So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waiting for me

In the place where the dark Mournes sweep down to the sea.

 

Percy French composed many Irish songs and was appreciated/admired all through the countries, and beyond. The song above has more meaning than could be seen.

Ryan Kelly, George Donaldson, Paul Byrom, Damain McGinty, Neil Byrne, Keith Harkin

 The names in red are the three most popular voices, Donaldson and McGinty. McGinty is the "kid".  He matures and goes on to perform in Les Miserable. Keith Harkin was killed in an auto accident in 2018. He was popular for his sweet handsome face and voice.  George Donaldson was the mature leader, with a voice that grabs you. He passed away at age 48 of a massive heart attack.

 

 

 

 

The Old Man

 

YouTube, Celtic Thunder  

The tears have all been shed now,

We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone

He was more than just a father
A teacher my best friend
He can still be heard in the tunes we shared
When we play them on our own

I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... The old man

As a boy he'd take me walkin'
By mountain field and stream
And he showed me things not known to kings
And secret between him and me

Like the colors of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree

I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on
And I miss him ... My Old Man
I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly and the years roll by
For a father and his son

And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance to tell him thanks
For everything he's done

I never will forget him for he made me what I am
Though he may be gone memory lingers on

And I miss him ... The Old Man
Happy Father's Day to all.