Beautiful job, this can be a tough tune, its my favorite one to play. FYI it was written in honour of Patrick Sarsfield from Limerick after he had to leave Ireland for France after the ill fated siege of Limerick by Cromwell. It is a very old tune. Patrick Sarsfield later died on the battle field in France and it is said that when he lay dying he touched the blood on his chest and said, "if only this was for Limerick"
I can only hope someone who knows me would think so much of me as to lament me with such a moving piece of beautiful music, I first heard it on the film 'Millers Crossing'and this is the first time I've heard it played 'live' both times just as moving
I wonder if this can be played on guitar? Perhaps in a kind of David Gilmour style with long drawn out bends it could quite possibly be done. probably sound pretty good too.
For me, it is one of the great, plaintive melodies of all time. So simple yet haunting.
Main riff was woven throughout 'Miller's Crossing' to great effect -- in fact, without it, the movie would sacrifice much of its atmosphere.
Variously called "Lament of Limerick" and "Limerick's Lamentation" among other titles (as mentioned by other posters here) I have heard great renditions by Sean O Riada and also the Chieftains.
It's also known as "Sarsfield's Lamentation" or "King James' March On Ireland"... Sarsfield famously led two defenses of Limerick against William III, the second resulting in the Treaty of Limerick and the exile of Sarsfield and his men to France, or "The Flight of the Wild Geese". William had originally come to Ireland to run dethroned Catholic sovereign James II out.
... On a more important note, excellent tune and video. :)
I met a man in Donegal (where my parents are from) who insisted it was also named for a friend of his in Scotland. Your info sounds more credible. Thanks for the kind words
As far as I know it's also known as 'Marbhna Luimnigh'. Lovely tune, and well played :)
DreadedGareth 9 months ago
Sharon Shannon plays a lovely version on the accordian :)
DreadedGareth 9 months ago
As far as I know it's also called 'Marbhna Luimni'. Great tune, and nicely played :)
DreadedGareth 9 months ago
Beautiful, thanks for sharing. I think a person of any background can feel the deep power this song evokes. Very powerful.
njtech2005 1 year ago
gura mile maith agat!...You made me cry!!!!!.... You get to the heart of it...ceoltoir den scoth, thu!
mikeravey1 1 year ago
A splendid rendition . *****
IrishChannel1 2 years ago
Beautiful job, this can be a tough tune, its my favorite one to play. FYI it was written in honour of Patrick Sarsfield from Limerick after he had to leave Ireland for France after the ill fated siege of Limerick by Cromwell. It is a very old tune. Patrick Sarsfield later died on the battle field in France and it is said that when he lay dying he touched the blood on his chest and said, "if only this was for Limerick"
Keep up the good work.
VonnyM 2 years ago
I can only hope someone who knows me would think so much of me as to lament me with such a moving piece of beautiful music, I first heard it on the film 'Millers Crossing'and this is the first time I've heard it played 'live' both times just as moving
dencam1234 3 years ago
Apparently somebody played this at Shane Geoghegan's funeral.
wombab143 3 years ago
Thank you so much for this lovely tune! You made my day.
Pionee 3 years ago
I wonder if this can be played on guitar? Perhaps in a kind of David Gilmour style with long drawn out bends it could quite possibly be done. probably sound pretty good too.
WarPigz0 3 years ago
Gorgeous
WarPigz0 3 years ago
nice fiddle
14thknight 3 years ago
For me, it is one of the great, plaintive melodies of all time. So simple yet haunting.
Main riff was woven throughout 'Miller's Crossing' to great effect -- in fact, without it, the movie would sacrifice much of its atmosphere.
Variously called "Lament of Limerick" and "Limerick's Lamentation" among other titles (as mentioned by other posters here) I have heard great renditions by Sean O Riada and also the Chieftains.
Now there's your version to thoroughly enjoy.
Nice. Thank you!
windigo44 4 years ago
Class ....
Lovely rendition and feel into it top marks
WhistlingPaddy 4 years ago
Thank you. I posted it a long time ago and thought it had fallen into obscurity. Your comment was a welcome surprise.
sprstix 4 years ago
It's also known as "Sarsfield's Lamentation" or "King James' March On Ireland"... Sarsfield famously led two defenses of Limerick against William III, the second resulting in the Treaty of Limerick and the exile of Sarsfield and his men to France, or "The Flight of the Wild Geese". William had originally come to Ireland to run dethroned Catholic sovereign James II out.
... On a more important note, excellent tune and video. :)
Erasmus37 4 years ago
I met a man in Donegal (where my parents are from) who insisted it was also named for a friend of his in Scotland. Your info sounds more credible. Thanks for the kind words
sprstix 4 years ago
Which city wasn't treated bad by Oliver.
Russellsgalla 4 years ago
This tune was lifted and used as the main theme by the Coen brothers for Miller's Crossing.
cashmerelight 4 years ago
Besides being a type of poem, Limerick is a city in Ireland. Treated badly by Cromwell, hence the lament. Nicely done!
Heath75032 4 years ago