Liam Clancy - The Orchard

When I was nine, in harvest time, I crossed the orchard wall
The moon was bright, the apples ripe upon the garden did fall
We filled our sacks, we made our way back, more adventures for to find.

I crossed the orchard wall again when I was just thirteen
It was, I think, to be my first drink of cider and poitín
I remember well, it tasted like hell; I hoped the pain would end soon,
In an orchard green neath the Comeraghs in that sweet Dungarvan green.

When I was nineteen years of age I crossed the wall with pride
My Annie fair with the nut brown hair was walking by my side
Our clothes came off, we tumbled and we kissed, all innocence was gone
In an orchard neath the Comeragh in the sweet Dungarvan dawn.

When I was twenty-one years old I married my Annie there
The apple blossoms in the trees were better in her hair
And when the day was over there was a drunk for every tree
In an orchard neath the Comeragh by those sweet Dungarvan seas.

Now I'm forty-five, I am much alive and children I have four,
Three girls and one fine strapping son and I have hopes for more.
I'll teach them of what lies ahead, I have plenty to tell still
In an orchard neath the Comeragh in that sweet Dungarvan breeze.

Now I'm ninety-one, my days are near done, my Annie is long since gone.
Our days they were good as well they should, but it's time that I passed on,
And when I die, I want to lie in the air, land and foam
In an orchard neath the Comeragh by my sweet Dungarvan home.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk

[banjogeorge1]

A friend of my sang this from time to time,sadly we lost him 2 years ago but it brings me back to happier times when I hear it. RIP George Holmes

[Brandmasterful]

This beautiful song says so much... but to all of us: enjoy each and every day. Some may be worse than others, but remember each day so that on our deathbeds we can be at peace knowing we lived our lives to the fullest. God bless you Liam. I'll see you past that ol' orchard wall...

[Jane98E]

any time I feel stressed I play this song. Two lines in I'm like a limp rubber band.  Of all of Liam's songs I find this the most soothing.

[captbanjo1]

"My days were good as well they should but it's time that I passed on..."

We'll meet on the other side of the wall, Liam.

[squire828]

in our neighborhood in queens we sat on the floor by the stereo and listened. when we came home on sunday from our Nanny and Grampas we listened to Dorothy Haden. We listened to our music ..... we were so rich. thank you .

[poppi400]

He was a legendary singer and poet ....a trailblazer.....an Irish troubadour

But to be in the mans presence was to experience his uniquely human character.

He was joy and pain in the flesh.

His legacy lay not in how he helped shape and launch the Irish Folk Renaissance that changed the way Irish Culture is viewed globally.

But in the lives of all of the people his message effected,

His music enriched my life .

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace...amen

[squire828]

When I was nine

[heliodor001]

There will be music in heaven.

[Logikally]

RIP Liam. Will be missed

[freesia0]

I was privileged to see Liam, his brothers and the great Tommy Makem in concert many times over the years and met them all. My greatest regret is never hearing Liam sing this poignant song in concert. It's my favorite song. God bless the man-he's a shining star!