An Emigrants Daughter

...Tune: The Grenadier and the Lady
Lyrics by Barry Taylor 1998

This ballad tells the true story of the emigration of Barry Taylors Irish ancestors. In 1842 his great great great grandfather,Samuel Huston, his wife Elizabeth and his four children
left County Tyrone, Ireland, to emigrate to Canada. Their only daughter, whom he believes to have been in her early teens, died during that voyage. This is her story... as seen
through her eyes and as sung through her voice.

The tune is an adaptation of an old English ballad 'The Grenadier and the Lady'; the lyrics are new; the story is but one of the many recalling the courage of the pioneer settlers
who built our great country.




Oh please ne'er forget me though waves now lie o'er me
I was once young and pretty and my spirit ran free
But destiny tore me from country and loved ones
And from the new land I was never to see.
A poor emigrant's daughter too frightened to know
I was leaving forever the land of my soul
Amid struggle and fear my parents did pray
To place courage to leave o'er the longing to stay.

They spoke of a new land far away 'cross the sea
And of peace and good fortune for my brothers and me
So we parted from townland with much weeping and pain
'Kissed the loved ones and the friends we would ne'er see again.
The vessel was crowded with disquieted folk
The escape from past hardship sustaining their hope
But as the last glimpse of Ireland faded into the mist
Each one fought back tears and felt strangely alone.

The seas roared in anger, making desperate our plight
And a fever came o'er me that worsened next night
Then delirium possessed me and clouded my mind
And I, for a moment, saw that land left behind.
I could hear in the distance my dear mother's wailing
And the prayers of three brothers that I'd see no more
And I felt father's tears as he begged for forgiveness
For seeking a new life on the still distant shore.

Oh please ne'er forget me though waves now lie o'er me
I was once young and pretty and my spirit ran free
But destiny tore me from country and loved ones
And from the new land I was never to see

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ireland.
• Potatoe
• famine
• irelands
• coast
• Immigrants
• celtic
• woman
• songs
• irish

[dominiquedv]

You have a wonderful voice and I love the songs your are singing. Your play amazing guitar picking.

[SJBirdsong]

@dominiquedv Thank you so much!

[cosmitron67]

I'm in love of everything, but the cracks and pop of the sound. You deserve better.

Such a jewel deserves a proper case :)

[stampingdragon]

Lovely , Moving Tragic and True. Stand u Ireland and don't let fascism do this to your beautiful country again.

[johnb406]

A very sad song. You sang it beautifully. Listening with your eyes shut, it is easy to almost see this song come to life in the minds eyes. Well played also.

[clmarais]

I love your voice and the way you sing! It's beautiful, and calm, and seems heartfelt. Keep it up :)

[Tam7782]

A beautiful song, beautifully played. Nice one...! Will have to adapt this for the harp...

[plimoth]

Hey Lady! How have you been?

[TheoderichI]

Yay. Do more, Do more

[wqpeb]

My ancestors came to Canada in the 1830's from Co.Tyrone and Templepatrick near Belfast. They were Wilsons, Pattersons, Grangers, and McKinnons. Hard for us here today to know the pain of the times then. At least my ancestors left before the great famine took hold so terrible tight.

[che7guevara]

It's good to see you here again my friend! =) what a lovely song.... one of my favorites. a sad one, true, but simply beautiful.. i use to play it a lot on my guitar. nice job here, very smooth.. well done! looking forward for the next one.. =)) take care.