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

Brendan O'Dowda singing The Swallow {La Golondrina}

To far off lands, the swallow now is speeding
for warmer climes and sun-drenched foreign shores
while 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
Then 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


Each winter long console me in my dreaming
that you fond swallow on your gleaming wing
Will speed as i would wish i could go speeding
Straight to their hearts, and with you my love bring.

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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• song
• music
• irish
• ireland
• lagolondrina
• la
• golondrina
• the
• swallow

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.