The Hero From Bonny Carlow

The air here is the Green Linnet, among the favourite airs of its author, John Sheil, who was born, probably, in County Armagh, around 1784, lived most of his life in Drogheda, dying there in 1872 and published at least 400 songs including "The Rights of Man" in a series of small song books, Sheil's Shamrock and Sheil's Love Songs. The here is in the ninth volume of the Love Songs (1836). I've lately written about John Sheil where I describe him as "The best English-born poet before Yeats". (John Moulden)

Paddy Berry was my source for this song, from his recording "Sing Again Paddy", a much different version from that sung by Pat Usher on the recording "The Usher Family". (Rita)

I’m a poor gentle maiden in sad lamentation and love is the cause of my pain
For the sake of a true love I pine in vexation sly cupid my poor heart has slain
Young Charles O’Neill is the lad I adore he’s the fairest and rarest ’round Erin’s green shore
But he’s gone to proud Spain where the loud cannons roar my hero from Bonny Carlow

My love he was six feet and no clockwork was neater he was well formed in every degree
The poplar tree it never grew straighter than he who is now far from me
His hair was like gold and his cheeks rosy red and his eyes were like diamonds that rolled in his head
But alas I’m afraid my poor Charles is dead my hero from Bonny Carlow

One day as we strolled along the banks of the Barrow while enjoying all nature’s sweet charms
The Press Gang arrived and how great was my sorrow when they tore my sweetheart from my arms
My lover he fought like a tiger at bay I shall never forget his great courage that day
But alas they overpowered him and dragged him away my hero from Bonny Carlow

They hauled him on board and they sailed down the river and the earth did resound with my cries
Like one in a fever in truth I did shiver and the salt tears rolled down from my eyes
On the cold quarter deck where my lover did stand he beckoned to me with his lily white hand
And he spoke a few words I could not understand my hero from Bonny Carlow

Sad news soon arrived he was mortally wounded and that by a cruel cannon ball
When I heard the sad tidings I became dumbfounded and now on grim death I do call
Oh come and hasten and finish my strife you have broken the threads of my young tender life
And I’d rather be dead since I cannot be the wife of my hero from Bonny Carlow

свернуть