Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Two Irish Songs for Saint Patrick's Day


The Maid of Erin

COME BACK TO ERIN.

Come back to Erin, Mavourneen, Mavourneen,
Come back, Aroon, to the land of my birth;
Come with the shamrocks and spring-time, Mavourneen,
And its Killarney shall ring with our mirth.
Sure, when we lent you to beautiful England,
Little we thought of the lone winter days.
Little we thought of the hush of the star shine
Over the mountains, the bluffs And the brays.

Chorus.
Come back to Erin, Mavourneen, Mavourneen,
Come back again to the land of my birth;
Come back to Erin, Mavourneen, Mavourneen,
And its Killarney shall ring with our mirth.

Erin Go Bragh
Ser N 801

This is postmarked in 1909 with a one cent stamp.

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 The Maid of Erin


KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN

Kathleen, mavourneen, the grey dawn is breaking,
The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill.
The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking,
Kathleen, mavourneen, what! Slumbering still?

Oh, hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?
Oh, hast thou forgotten this day we must part?
It may be for years, and it may be forever,
Then why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?
It may be for years and it may be forever,
Then why art thou silent, Kathleen, mavourneen?

Erin Go Bragh
Ser N 801

This unused postcard is from 1908.

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"Kathleen Mavourneen" is a song, written in 1837, composed by Frederick Crouch with lyrics by Marion Crawford. It was popular during the American Civil War. "Mavourneen" is a term of endearment derived from the Irish Gaelic mo mhuirnĂ­n, meaning "my beloved."

Several silent films were titled "Kathleen Mavourneen" with the first such drama being produced in 1906 starring Kitty O'Neil, Walter Griswoll and H.L. Bascomb. Other such silent film titles were produced in 1911, 1913, and 1919. This last one starred Theda Bara. Two other films with this title, but using sound, were produced in 1930 and 1937.

1 comment:

ONeal said...

These are both great cards. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!