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.
