Phil O'Keefe Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I was hoping one of you lads from the Emerald Isle can help me out. I ran into a old ballad poem from one Edward Walsh, and I thought it was kind of cool, but all I saw was the lyrics. O'Donovan's Daughter One midsummer's eve, when the Bel-fires were lighted, And the bag-piper's tune called the maidens delighted, I joined a gay group by the Araglyn's water, And danced till the dawn with O'Donovan's Daughter. Have you seen the ripe monadan glisten in Kerry? Have you marked on the Galtees the black whortle-berry? Or ceanabhan wave by the wells of Blackwater? They're the cheek, eye, and neck of O'Donovan's Daughter. Have you seen a gay kidling on Claragh's round mountain? The swan's arching glory on Sheeling's blue fountain? Heard a weird woman chant what the fairy choir taught her? They're the step, grace, and tone of O'Donovan's Daughter! Have you marked in its flight the black wing of the raven? The rosebuds that breathe in the summer breeze waven? The pearls that lie hid under Lene's magic water? They're the teeth, lips, and hair of O'Donovan's Daughter! Ere the Bel-fire was dimmed or the dancers departed, I taught her a song of some maid broken-hearted; And that group, and that dance, and that love-song I taught her Haunt my slumber at night with O'Donovan's Daughter. God grant 'tis no fay from Cnoc-Firinn that woos me, God grant 'tis not Cliodhna the queen that pursues me, That my soul lost and lone has no witchery wrought her, While I dream of dark groves and O'Donovan's Daughter! If spell-bound I pine with an airy disorder, Saint Gobnate has sway over Musgry's wide border; She'll scare from my couch, when with prayer I've besought her, That bright airy sprite like O'Donovan's Daughter! Now I assume there's a melody / tune to go along with it, but I don't know that for certain, and searching the Internet for anything has so far been totally fruitless, which is not totally surprising, considering Walsh died in 1850 and is semi-obscure. My question to you is - have you ever heard of this ballad poem before, and if so, do you know if there's a melody to go with it? If there is a melody, do you know where I might be able to hear it? Any help you can offer would be appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BrentMpls Posted January 7, 2014 Members Share Posted January 7, 2014 Nope but enjoy this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 BrentMpls wrote: Nope but enjoy this: I've heard that before a time or three... but it's always good for a laugh - thanks for posting it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Turd Furgison Posted January 7, 2014 Members Share Posted January 7, 2014 my grandma said you could always find an irishman by throwing a potato out your front door, it is how she met my grandpa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gambit Posted January 7, 2014 Members Share Posted January 7, 2014 talking of Irish poetry/song, i found 'The Parting Glass' recently.. one of the best songs ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 gambit wrote: talking of Irish poetry/song, i found 'The Parting Glass' recently.. one of the best songs ever. Link / video please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gambit Posted January 8, 2014 Members Share Posted January 8, 2014 on my mobile phone so can't embed, but..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4egb2gpIg4&feature=youtube_gdata_player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Trick Fall Posted January 8, 2014 Members Share Posted January 8, 2014 Phil, might be a shot in the dark, but you might want to contact the folks at Ceol na nGael which is the preeminent radio program of traditional Irish music on WFUV in New York. I bet someone there will know this tune. http://www.wfuv.org/contact/Ceol_na_nGael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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