{"id":19899,"date":"2023-04-26T14:21:03","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T14:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=19899"},"modified":"2023-04-26T14:40:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T14:40:06","slug":"singer-was-irish-the","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/singer-was-irish-the\/","title":{"rendered":"Singer was Irish, The"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>My home across the sea<\/td><\/tr>
First Published<\/td>1904<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Writer\/composer<\/td>CW Murphy and Harry Castling<\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN38688<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Music Hall Performers<\/strong><\/td>Michael Nolan<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Collected from the singing of:<\/strong>
Dicks, Harry; Australia, New South Wales; 1984
Briggs, Sid; Australia, New South Wales; 1985<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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It was Christmas Eve in London \nAnd the snow lay on the ground.\nThro' a window of a cottage \nI was passing came a sound.\nSomeone played an old piano. \nAs the hands stole o'er the keys,\nI was taken back in fancy \nTo my home across the seas,\nFor he sang a song that fill'd my heart \nWith boyhood memories.\n\nThe singer was Irish, the song was Irish\nAnd each note seemed to come from the sky.\nThe dear old refrain I heard once again\nAnd the words brought a tear to my eye:\n\"Come back to Erin, mavourneen, mavourneen.\"\nLong I lingered at the door,\nFor the great old song made me long\nTo be safe in my home once more.<\/em>\n\nEvr'y word the singer uttered.\nStruck a chord within my breast.\nSeemed to bring a loving message.\nFrom the place that I loved best.\nJust as one who hears glad tidings.\nI was filled with ecstasy,\nFor I knew it was the old land.\nSoftly calling unto me.\nThrough the medium of that angel voice\nAnd the sweet melody.\n\nAs the melody ascended, \nI could see so plain once more\nThe dear home that I was born in, \nNestling by the Shannon's shore,\nAnd I saw a gray-haired woman \nTake my hand in fond embrace.\nAs she falter'd out \"Acushla, \nWhen you leave the dear old place?\nMay the best of luck attend you \nIn the world you're going to face\"\n\n<\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
A hit in the Halls of the early 2oth century for Irish comedian Michael Nolan<\/a>, written for him by CW Murphy<\/a> and Harry Castling<\/a>. It seems to have been particularly popular amongst traditional singers in Australia and New Zealand, possibly as a result of Nolan’s extensive tours there. The tune (played as an instrumental) features in the repertoire of The Brazil Family<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An early 20th century recording by Peter Dawson:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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