Waterford Christmas song: Along the banks of the River Suir

oceanmachine

So, I think it’s officially the Christmas Season! This is a song I started writing a very long time ago, when I used to live in Waterford. It uses the melody from a traditional Irish song called Mo Ghile Mear, most of you will know it I'd say. It has the word Christmas in it so I suppose that makes it a Christmas song!

Now, I normally don’t give any explanation for the songs I post, but I'll give some background for this one just for people who are unaware of the original song. Mo Ghile Mear is Irish for My Gallant Darling or My Shining Star. The original Mo Ghile Mear was written in Irish in the 18th Century. I came across it when I was first learning the guitar in school and I loved the air of it. As I couldn’t make head nor tail of the Irish version I rewrote it with my own words.

The original, like a lot of traditional Irish songs, is a lament to both a fair maiden and to Ireland. Many Irish songs follow this pattern where the singer personifies Ireland and dreams of returning to her. There are many of these types of songs because, as we all know, Irish people have often found themselves forced, for one reason or another, to emigrate and leave their loved ones and their country.

The re-emergence of emigration is the reason I went back to finish this song. Since the recession hit in 2008 young Irish people have again been forced to leave the country in their droves. I think it works well as a Christmas song as the ‘season to be jolly’ can be a very lonely time for some people, especially if you are living away from home and missing loved ones.

So, in my version I wanted to try recreate this feeling of being forced to leave your homeland and having a longing to return, and a dream of winning your love.

Anyway…. that’s the theory….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGtHJOSd1K0

https://soundcloud.com/theoceanmachine/along-the-banks-of-the-river-1

Come with me mo ghile mear,
Come with me and we shall go far.
Along the banks of the River Suir,
And thanks to you mo ghile mear.

Alas my love you do not know,
How often that I dream about you.
Alas my love you do not feel,
The same way that I feel for you.

I must leave mo ghile mear,
Move away to shores afar,
I can't seem to win your hand,
Return to you a braver man.

Wait for me mo ghile mear,
'Neath a sky of distance stars.
I can see the bridge of dreams,
The cars pass by it as I sleep.

Cold December, a year's gone past,
Christmas here again at last.
I can hold my tongue no more,
I travel home, hammer on your door.

Now at last you hear me speak,
Of the things I hope, of the things I dream.
Now at last you love me too.
Love me for your heart I've won it seems.

Stay with me mo ghile mear,
Safe under familiar stars,
I've all I'd want; I'm rich in time,
And I am yours and you are mine.


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Buy 'Along the banks of the River Suir: http://theoceanmachine.bandcamp.com/