Reading My Way Around the World

Thursday 3 April 2014

Connemara Cradle Song

Cradle Songs or Lullabies have a great history in Ireland .. and this is one of my favourites. 
Here's my recording of The Connemara Cradle Song  

I was brought up about 4 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and I used to imagine that if I was really quiet, on windy nights, I could hear the waves.   

Nowadays, we spend a lot of time in Connemara and I've always loved that part of the country.  Here are the lyrics of the song along with some pics from our last trip down in Ballyconneely.

The Connemara Cradle Song (trad) lyrics
The Wild Atlantic Shore
On wings of the wind o'er the dark rolling deep
Angels are coming to watch o'er thy sleep
Angels are coming to watch over thee
So list to the wind coming over the sea
Hear the wind blow dear, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow


The Sky Road outside Clifden
 Oh, winds of the night, may your fury be crossed
May no one who's dear to our island be lost
Blow the winds gently, calm be the foam
Shine the light brightly and guide them back home
Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow

The sun on the water makes my heart skip a beat
The currachs are sailing way out on the blue
Laden with herring of silvery hue
Silver the herring and silver the sea
And soon there'll be silver for baby and me
Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow

Omie Strand
The currachs tomorrow will stand on the shore
And daddy goes sailing, a sailing no more
The nets will be drying, the nets heaven blessed
And safe in my arms dear, contented he'll rest
Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow


Low tide


I was really surprised when I was playing over in America that people knew the song and could sing along easily with it - then I found out that it very closely resembles the American song "Down in the Valley"!

It was written by Frances Waller who also wrote the Spinning Wheel ….
And was first recorded by Delia Murphy in 1936.

10 comments:

  1. Hello! I'm a wHooligan, part of the A to Z support staff. I loved your blog, and thoroughly enjoyed listening to your song. You have a beautiful comforting voice. Glad that you are up and running!

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  2. Hello from the other side of the Irish Sea. Returning your visit to Sue’s Trifles

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    1. Sorry, that link doesn't work. It's http://suestrifles.wordpress.com

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  3. Hi! So nice to chance upon your blog! :) I was in Dublin very recently, and I'm very much looking forward to going to Ireland again to see the countryside. Dropping by from http://sujataravi6.wordpress.com for the A-Z challenge.

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  4. This song is heart-rendingly beautiful. I'm glad I came across your blog.
    You've made this world a little bit richer.

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    1. Thank you so much Gerhard :) I'm glad you liked it.

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  5. Oh, and my blog is at Through Pain to Victory if you should like to come and visit.

    Gerhard

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  6. I live in the North Georgia Mountains, about 80 miles north of Atlanta. But I was born and raised in South Africa. You've got it wrong: it's YOU who live in a far flung place! [grin]

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    1. Hahahaha I was wondering if anyone would notice that!

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  7. I love the way you've organized this post, with the images between each section. It really adds interest, and they are beautiful photos!

    Random Musings from the KristenHead — C is for 'Copper' and Cats (and More Cats)

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Do drop me a line ... I love to read your comments :)