Song For Ireland lyrics
Mary BlackWalking all the day
Near tall towers where falcons build their nests
Silver winged they fly
They know the call of freedom in their breasts
Soar Black Head against the sky
Where twisted rocks run down to the sea
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Talking all the day
With true friends, who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news
Singing songs to pass the night away
Watched the Galway salmon run
Like silver dancing darting in the sun
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Drinking all the day
In old pubs where fiddlers love to play
Someone touched the bow
He played a reel, it seemed so fine and gay
Stood on Dingle beach and cast
In wild foam we found Atlantic Bass
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Dreaming in the night
I saw a land where no one had to fight
Waking in your dawn
I saw you crying in the morning light
Lying where the Falcons fly
They twist and turn all in your e'er blue sky
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Song Details
Composers: Phil Colclough & June Colclough... both came from North Staffordshire, England.
Brief: The song is characterized by its evocative lyrics that express a deep love and appreciation for the Irish landscape, culture, and people. It paints a vivid picture of Ireland's natural beauty, history, and the enduring spirit of its people.
Definition: e'er - literary form of ever (your e'er blue sky)
The following is an excerpt taken from The Mudcat Cafe on 25th Oct, 2007, where Phil and June's daughter, Sarah Colclough is writing in reply to a question relating to her parents:
I am Phil and June Colclough's daughter. My parent's both wrote this song. Tragically my mother died prematurely at 63 only 3 years ago. My parents were both from North Staffordshire not Canada. My father's family have Irish connections in County Wexford. My parents helped to set up the first folk club in Stoke-Trent in 1960 and in 1966 they left Stoke for London. My father joined Ewan Macoll's Critics Group. Back in Staffordshire in 1970's my parents ran folk clubs and produced a folk based radio programme for the BBC Radio Stoke. Song for Ireland was indeed inspired by a holiday my parents took in visiting the Dingle Peninsula. It has been recorded by Joan Baez, Mary Black, The Dubliners and Englebert Humperdinck.
Another song written by my parents which I think is fantastic is called The Call and The Answer. My parents spent much of their lives working in Education as teachers and education advisers. My Dad has left North Staffordshire and is hoping to resume a musical life at some point...Sarah Colclough
Covers: Dick Gaughan, Luke Kelly, Mary Black, Ralph McTell, Celtic Spirit, The Dubliners, Brendan Hayes and Damien Leith
Category: Folk
Album by Mary Black - Song For Ireland (Jan 1, 1998)
