Knowing how dim reality All in all he had O’Toole on occasion, it might as well have been some songs distilled into a heady ale that he sang. The modern version could owe its existence to actor Peter O’Toole, the story goes that he sang it to Dominic Behan, who wrote the words, improvising a bit, and made a recording in the 1960s. George Petrie’s book “Ancient Music of Ireland” (1855), for example, included a song “The Young Lady”, the lyrics of which can be found partially in “Carrickfergus.” It has also been suggested that “Carrickfergus” is an amalgamation of at least two separate songs, which accounts for the lack of a consistent narrative, and the sudden (nonsensical) mention of Kilkenny, a no sequitur if ever there was one. Compare that to the letter above and you will see that it does not match. This song was printed in the mid-19th century in Cork, but the lyrics were not about a longing for home, but about a cuckold husband, in an obscene way. Who wrote the song?Ībsolutely no idea … “Carrickfergus” is said to go back to an old Irish song ” Do bhí bean uasal ” (literally “There was a Noblewoman”), written by Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna (who died in 1745). Throw in some flourishes and you have the typical emigrant song popular with the crowds. But he is old and is likely to die in exile. The story is simple: the man sits somewhere (presumably crying into his drink), lamenting the fact that he is far from home, wishes to return once more. Obviously “Carrickfergus” is an Irish folk song named after the town of Carrickfergus, although Kilkenny also has a name and ultimately the actual location in Ireland seems to have absolutely no consequence. With gold and silver he would support her.īut I won’t sing anymore until I have a drink.īecause I’m drunk today, and I’m rarely sober.Īh, but now I’m sick, my days are numbered.Ĭome all you young men and put me to bed. My childhood friends and my own relativesīut I will spend my days roaming endlessly. Of the happy moments that I spent so long ago, A song to bring them all together, so to speak. Therefore, it can be sung with full conviction in Melbourne, Montreal, Manhattan or Manchester. Although you could fly to Ireland these days for the price of a decent night in New York.īy the way, “Carrickfergus” is one of the songs of the “Pity the Poor Emigrant” genre which, although the name of an Irish town, does not give any indication of where the singer actually sings. It remains, and always will be, very popular with Irish Americans who pass through boxes of whole tissues in tears. “Carrickfergus” is one of those typical songs popular in the “Irish diaspora”, singing the praises of the country they left (or even their ancestors) and lamenting the seemingly insurmountable distance from there (and loved ones, friends, family, usually a fair maiden too).
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