The Swallow - {La Golondrina} - Brendan O'Dowda

[solsticecelt1]

Having copied and listened to the lyrics, I would like to know if this is of mexican/Spanish origin hence (la Golandrina)? Althought it seems to be about an Irish immigrant, ie sea swept Isle, I know there was a Spanish ifluence in Africa at one time, and South Africa is where the European barn swallow flies from to us to breed every year? Hope I'm not confusing anyone lol. Enlighten me please if you can, many thanks.

[solsticecelt1]

Thanks for the lyrics, I'm gonna learn and sing this song x.

[1234musicful]

Wondeful!!

[kateomprint]

My Mum who is now 92 loves this song she tells Brendan was a lovely person 

[solsticecelt1]

Hirundo Rustica, hasten back to Irelands' shore once more.

[kateomprint]

love this listening on the eve of 2012 song is ageless so just to wish every body the best for 2012

[Rorymad]

Hi Damien..........only seeing this now........I grew up listening to this and many of Brendan's other recordings in Monaghan, a few doors down from Donie who was Brendan's nephew and in a showband himself.......small world

[justabrit]

I think i got to eat my words...i have been listening to this a lot ..and find myself singing along to it ...it is so lovely...it does make you feel sad when listening to it ..Jed

[justabrit]

Well i got to admit they are both good,in different ways...Placido really puts his voice and heart into it ...And Brendan sings it Different..nice clear voice and he sings it like he means what he sings...both are Sublime

[justabrit]

Sorry this is good ..but it belongs to Placido domingo..in my mind he sings this best ...really comes from the heart when he sings it ...thanks for posting ..

[Raul61233]

@justabrit

Domingo has a great voice but this is a "good-bye" song and O'Dowda hits it with a far more accurate mood and rendering.

[rockgor]

Wonderful song. Wonderful singer. Brenda had a beautiful voice and

the artistry to use it properly.

Thanks for posting.

[jklstreet]

Mexico has Placido....Ireland had Brendan...Dec....

[skiprydell1]

Wonderful voice. A thank you for singing some of the "old" songs....

[04D3214]

Does anyone know where I can get the lyrics to this song. It is my father's favorite song of all time & his party piece. It will be his 70th birthday later this year & I would love to surprise him by singing it for him, so if anyone can help me out I would be extremely grateful. Thanks

[machree01]

@04D3214 Hi, i pasted the lyrics into the info description above, thanks for the comment.

[dermot4161]

@machree01

Hiya, maybe you could help me.

Would you know who wrote the english words for Brendan's Version of The Swallow? and also who published it? and where I could purchase a copy of the sheetmusic?

I have been trying to get my hands on it but to no avail!

Many thanks

[darkoroyorbison]

@04D3214 It so interesting that you are searching for lyrics only. I love this beautiful Mexican song of Narciso Serradell Sevilla so much and have now more than 850 versions /instrumentals and songs/ w.wide.If you are interested more, send me a mail message -sure, also if you wish to have more than 250 versions in .mp3 from my collection. Blog: indreamsonly.blogspot.com -here especially visit:

* LA HISTORIA - Narciso Serradell Sevilla y "La Golondrina" /in Spanich/part in English.Regards!

[broonsdad]

Dear Damien,

You have every right to be proud of your Dad...What a pleasant voice!

[mrswaltzingmatilda]

This is the best version by far. I always enjoyed listening to Brendan what a shame we don't hear his songs played on radio anymore. Thank god for these postings. What a lovely melodic and rich voice. R.I.P. Brendan.

[vipergurn]

i have been searching for years for an english version of this lovely song and this is so very beautifull! many thanks for posting this

terry

[LouisDE1]

Interesting how the French interpretations of this song, "Cet anneau d'or" and L'anneau d'amour" are so different. The French versions by Patrick Normand, Les Gendarmes, etc. are about a man hoping that the wedding ring he placed on his love's finger will be a reminder of how much he misses her and wants her back. They use the melody, but put their own words to it.

[rothaich5]

I know this song in Spanish but have never heard it in English. Brendan O'Dowda I know I have several of his albums of Irish songs and I think the had one of the most pleasant and richeest voices -in his time he was the only one who could be compared favorable with Kenneth McKellar. I loved Frank Patterson and he was a great showman but I give Brendan O'Dowda the edge. He was one of the great Irish singers of the 20th century.

[boilerplate7]

The Spanish version is very pretty, but it is nice to hear an English version at last. This man did a very beautiful version of it. Thanks.

[duneeda]

Hello , does anyone know where I can get a recording of the programme that RTE did about the life of Percy French with Brendan singing .It was on RTE about 20 years ago . Thanks,  Niall O C .

[Oliy92466]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!^)))5*)/

Olga/

[liamthedream]

When I was growing up back in "The Old Sod" I saw Brendan in the Theatre Royal in Dublin and I heard him lots of times on Radio Eireann. We had no Television back in the 50's. Can you believe it ? A world without Television. By the time the 60's came, we all had a Black and White one with fuzzy reception. Brendan was before his time. He was a great entertainer. Especially Percy French French numbers.

[samarian100]

Damien- my Da has[who's 84] is listening to this and has just told me he heard your father singing this in Belfast [the Troxy picture house] and has great memories of it. Good luck.

[nahatsu2]

Ah! This is just lovely.... how charming to listen to this delightful song, sung so beautifully!

Thank you so much!

Natasha

[Mr181043]

Didn,t see the video but have been searching for this song since 1974,my mother played the melody ,but I had never heard the lyrics.I hope to be able to download it but do not have the computer savy yet

[Adam2000x]

this version is nice too..

Where wilt thou go, my agile little swallow..

thy wings will tire if long thy flight should be.. oh

if winds and storms should bring thee pain and anguish..

if seeking shelter none be found for thee.

Ah come to me a soft warm nest I offer..

where all the wintry seasons will pass thee by..

and also I wander in regions so lonely..

midst cold and tempest and have no wings to fly..

[JerryVanderwaarde]

Lovely song and sung beautifully.

I stumbled upon this version whilst trying to find the rendition HRH Princess Christina of the Netherlands sang at her fathers funeral.

A version I would recommend. A daugther singing at her fathers funeral. A moving spectable.

[paulineD111]

dis was my grandas song we had it on an old single vinyal record just beauitful

[eirbiz]

Brendan was famous for singing Percy French songs.

[diko62656]

This song's very beautiful, it put deep into my heart. I can't help myself into tear upon listening this beautiful song. I can see myself then when I left my family back home in the Philippines - to find my fortune abroad. This song's full of emotion.Thanks, god for his blessing and my love's with me now in the USA.. Thanks, Machree01for sharing me this great and very beautiful song and sung beautifully by Brendan O'Dowda.

[littledolphin32]

Finally found someone who does justice to this song. He is great. Most of them murder this beautiful Melody.

[MABEHTMAS]

Brendan Boyer of the Royal Showband sang this song. Brings back many happy memories of the showbands in Ireland in the sixties .

[Eamon198]

This is a beautiful song sung by a wonderful Irish tenor. Brings me back to the early sixties when my friend Jerry Cronin sang a good version of this song. We then went on to plan our futures but of course the reality turned out otherwise.

An emotive and nostalgic song for me.

[corkguy2009]

This is a beautiful Mexican ballad sung brilliantly by the late Brendan O'Dowda. Sincere thanks for uploading it to YouTube. The words as sung by Brendan O'Dowda are posted below.

[corkguy2009]

The remaining verses are:

Oh graceful swallow bear a message of love

For on your journey, lies the land of my heart

Glide downwards as you see from above

A sea swept isle from which we had to part

Among those shores are all that I care or live for

My home, my loved ones, waiting for my return

As down you sweep, shed my blessings upon them

That tell of love which in my heart still burns

That tell of love which in my heart still burns

[corkguy2009]

The remaining verses are:

Among those shores are all that I care or live for

My home, my loved ones, waiting for my return

As down you sweep, shed my blessings upon them

That tell of love which in my heart still burns

Each winter long console me in my dreaming

And you fond swallow on your gleaming wings

Will speed as I would wish I could go speeding

Straight to their hearts, and with you my love bring

[corkguy2009]

The lyrics as sung by Brendan O'Dowda (the best of all interpretations) are as follows:

To far off lands, the swallow now is speeding

For warmer climes and sun-drenched foreign shores

As cooler breezes tell of summer fading

My heart with you, into the heavens will soar.

Oh graceful swallow bear a message of love

For on your journey, lies the land of my heart

Glide downwards as you see from above

A sea swept isle from which we had to part

[thechinadesk]

This is interesting!

An Irishman singing La Golondrina, a Mexican ballad.

The amazing thing is that if one didn't know it was a Mexican song, one could almost believe it was an Irish ballad along the lines of Danny Boy. 

Music truly is the universal language.

[laceup1967]

This is the "Danny Boy" of Irish ex-patriots. This is the song of a man who was forced to leave his native land in the hopes of making a little money to send home. He sees a migrating bird and hopes it will fly over the ones he left behind. Sentimental and gushy it may seems to most, however it is the anthem of all immigrants: Irish, Mexican or Polish.

[corkguy2009]

Thank you for uploading this. I tried to get this on CD but failed. I could listen to this all day. The best rendition ever of La Golondrina! Well done Brendan O'Dowda. You have left us a great legacy.

[maud1944]

Brendan, I could listen to your rendering of this song every day for the rest of my life, It was my late Mothers favourite song and singer and I had it sung at her funeral in Dromineer Co. Tipperary in the early eighties, I keep coming back to U Tube to play it each week and it brings tears to my eyes each time, I am sad now because I have lost both of you, but please God I will join you both again, your memory lives forever. John F. Cahill-Annagassan, Co. Louth

[laceup1967]

I never thought I'd hear this again. It is my father's favourite and we've looked for it for years.

[MrPelonDawg773]

What a voice! I've never heard this version before.

I LOVE IT! 5 stars.

[beansiog]

A beautiful haunting song rendered by a Master of his craft.I first heard Brendan o Dowda sing this on his show with RTE many moons ago.Thank God it was saved for the archives that we may still enjoy it today.

[Moll48f]

THIS WAS MY MOTHERS FAVOURITE SONG. SHE DIED WHEN I WAS 8 YEARS OLD ,I HAVE ONLY JUST LEARNED FROM HER SISTER THAT THIS WAS HER FAV SO NOW ITS MINE, I LOVE THE WORDS AND TREASURE THEM,

Moll48f

[mermaid1497]

This song still brings me to tears as it was played at my brother Thomas's funeral on 21 Sept 1997. Gone but never forgotten.

[1oldirishman]

I regret to say I have just discovered this marvellous singer on youtube. What a treasure!

[joefethard]

It was my mother's favourite singer and song . . . thanks . . . she died in 1998 . . . but the song lives on in my mind until now also in my ears. . .. THANKS

[maud1944]

This song was sung at my mother's funeral in Dromineer Co. Tipperary in the early 80's, it was one of her favourites particularly when sung by the late Brendan, I have searched since then to get a copy of it and only succeeded this morning when I signrd up to You Tube...Well done and thanks. John F Cahill

[GranuaileCecil]

This song was played at the funeral of N. Ireland's famous Rathlin Islander Thomas Cecil who died on 21st September 1997.Thomas was a man totally dedicated to his Island home and loved this song.He interprated the swallow as the soul on its way to heaven and expressed the desire to have it played at his funeral not realising it would be at the early age of 51. His legacy remains in his family his writings and his achievment of the islands development.

MARY Cecil.(Widow of Tommy)June 2008,

[thomasojii31]

This is a beauitful, if not sad song, writtin by Narciso Serradel sevilla. It's a Mexican song, known as the "farewell Song. Mexican people who are away from home, just like the swallow, sing this all the time,and that I can understand. If you ever get the chance to see a film called, "The Wild Bunch" there is a very moving part where this tune is played, very beauitful indeed!

[joehughes9]

This song is used on the soundtrack of the Wild Bunch, the superb Sam Peckinpah western. In one of the most moving scenes in the film, the Bunch ride out from Angel's Mexican village and the villagers gather to sing them this song as a farewell.

[Bonnydel]

Brendon does justice to this marvelous song. Do you know the composer?

[lilgangstafolkkz]

Narciso Serradel Sevilla (1843-1910), a native of Alverado, Vera Cruz, Mexico, was both a doctor and a composer. During the war against the French Maximiliano, Serradel fought against the French Imperial troops alongside General Zaragoza. He was taken prisoner - and deported to France. He is most famous for his popular song of farewell, "La Golondrina." The song is often thought of as "traditional

[brownstowngirl]

I can hear my Mother singing along with this, was played at both my parents' funerals. It's a beautiful song by a wonderful singer, thank you for the posting. Bless you.

[Buddymat]

Beautiful. First time to find this on any website. Thanks

[lorgain2]

My God 27? if only,,when I was 27 I was digging up London, Maureen that was in 1966.

I am an timer from Ard Mhacha who has always appreciated good music and song.

Your town is famous for good singers and you were up there with the best.

[lorgain2]

Maureen I heard you often on TV, my favourite was A Gartan mothers lullaby, you were a delight to listen to, great to know you are still keeping in touch.

[maureenderry]

I absolutely love "The Gartan Mother's Lullaby" but I only recorded it on a cassette years ago unfortunately. I am hoping to record a few songs including that one in the near future. I tried to send you a message a few minutes ago but only friends can do so. I wanted to ask how you remember me if you are only 27!!

[kevvy1908]

This tune by Narciso Serradel Sevilla seems to have been used in "She wears my ring" as sung by Solomon King and others?

[Redhatwoman]

I have been looking for this beautiful song for many years. Thank you.

[ardnamurchan2006]

Could listen to that voice all night. Takes me back to the days of Irish Sat Radio when all these great singers could be heard.

[cantchip]

Brendan was an excellent singer,Check him out singing "The Oklahoma Rose"

cantchip

[celticshane]

wasnt this man the most underated irish or worldwide tenor, the sweetest voice joe

[machree01]

Both of you's or right, and he was great at Percy French songs

[maureenderry]

Lovely to hear Brendan singing. I sang with him on many occasions - On BBC Radio and TV. We both appeared on the first colour programme to go on the network from BBC N.Ireland. It was a St. Patrick's Day programme and also starred The Chieftans and Derek Bell - in fact it was the introduction of Derek to the Chieftans ...he worked with them always after that programme. Sadly both Brendan and Derek are gone.

[AilisO]

My name is Damien O'Dowda, Brendan was my father. Just a quick message to say how lovely it is to read all of these wonderfull comments you all have posted. I am one of the youngest in the family and never truly understood the impact that my dad had on people. thankyou all very much for your words, its given me a much comfort knowing he is remembered by so many.

[harleyspoon]

I have loved this song in Spanish but the way your Dad sings it, well, it brings me to tears. We are of Irish blood. My God, your Dad was such a fine singer. La Golondrina was sung in Spanish at my Dad's funeral in 1989 in Waco by a Mexican grupo. The guys in the group worked for him for some years and they put their hearts and souls into it. The floor was wet with tears after the song ended.

[duneeda]

@harleyspoon Hi Damien I ,love his songs ,I had a recording of a programme on rte years ago with Brendan singing the songs of Percy French ,I cant find it and would love to have this again .I wonder if you could help me in any way ? Is there a recording of this programme ? . Niall ...Dublin14

[maureenderry]

So nice of you to reply to everyone's comment on your father, Brendan. I sang with him on many occasions...on Radio and TV. As I said before we sang on the first colour TV programme to go nationwide from N. Ireland. He was gentleman.

[Ardmacha2]

Ihad the pleasure of seeing your father perform a few times and he was one of the worlds most underrated tenors. he has given me many hours of pleasure listening to his songs.His Percy French Tribute was magnificent

[harleyspoon]

I wish, somehow, I could get the words to this song as sung by Brendan O'Dowda. If anyone out there can help me with that, I would be eternally grateful.

[GomezLaPaz]

@AilisO , "La Golondrina" es una vieja canción de origen árabe, su origen se remonta a la época que los hispanos expulsaron a judíos y árabes de la península ibérica hace 500 años.

Con gusto te comparto la letra original de la vieja canción.

Un saludo.-

[jaimemrm2002]

@GomezLaPaz Lo siento, pero esta es una cancion Mexicana, compuesta por Narciso Serradel Sevilla nacido en Alvarado, Veracrúz, el 25 de enero de 1843

[Sidcup12]

@AilisO I grew up listening to your dad singing..."gortnamona" can still send a shiver down my spine 40 years later...a most underrated and unappreciated singer.

[VidalHernando]

@AilisO I don't speak english, but y want say your father voice is one of most beatiful voice I ever heard. Congratulations, and enjoy the pride of be his son. Greetings from Chile.

(No hablo inglés, pero quiero decir que la voz de su padre es una de las más hermosas que he escuchado. Disfrute del orgullo de ser su hijo. Desde Chile, saludos)

[lorgain2]

Great stuff Machree, the most underrated of Irish Tenors, this is beautiful.