Patrick Street ~ 'Brackagh Hill'

Patrick Street performing at Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan (Wales), on Tuesday 20 September 2011.

This performance showcases a masterly rendition of this most beautiful traditional song, set to new music by Andy Irvine.

Unfortunately, from my seat in the front row, the microphone stand partly obstructed my view of Andy's left hand, plus the lighting was quite subdued... {8-(( ...

So, for those of us eager to learn his fingering, this video is almost useless. However, Andy is playing his Sobell guitar-shaped bouzouki with the capo set at fret 7 in order to obtain the tuning of CGDG; I hope this helps to some limited extent for those of you who aspire to learn to play Andy's version of this song.

And, as usual, I also include Andy's lyrics below. Strangely, although the song clearly originates in County Tyrone, I could not find it in Sam Henry's 'Songs of the People'.

With kind regards;
Patrick.
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Brackagh Hill
(Words Trad., Music by Andy Irvine)

One night as I lay slumbering in my silent bed alone
Some rakish thoughts came in my head which caused me for to roam
To leave behind my native town and the wee girl I adore
To take a trip as I saw fit strange countries to explore

And the night before I went away I was walking over Brackagh Hill
I met my love upon the road and her eyes with tears did fill
'O Johnny dear', she said, 'stay here and do not go away
For there'll be none for comfort me when you are o'er the sea'

Well I took her by the lily white hand and I held her long and fast
'My darling girl I must away for our ship lies in Belfast
But if you'll prove constant I'll prove true, you know I am well inclined'
So we kissed shook hands and parted and I left my girl behind

And it's when we landed in Greenock sure the people all gathered round
They said I was a rakish lad come to cut their harvest down
They told me to return home and to never more be seen
So that very night I took my flight back to Erin's lovely green

And when Mary heard her Johnny was home her heart it did leap with joy
She threw herself all in his arms saying: 'You're my darling boy
O Johnny dear I'm glad you're here for you I have thought long
So let them all say as they will our wedding will go on'

And Brackagh Hill is a lovely place with fine wee girls therein
You'd swear they were the nightingale when they sit down and sing
Where the salmon trout do sport about round Lough Neagh's verdant shore
So let them all say as they will you are mine forever more

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Patrick
• Street
• Andy
• Irvine
• Brackagh
• Hill

[AndyzFanz]

@Boggerdansken You could work out the chords from the clip attached below. The chord structure is similar to 'Bonny Woodhall' or 'You Rambling Boys of Pleasure' but, obviously, with differences.

If you play your mandola along with this video, you will soon find the obvious chords and it's fun learning. Working out the embellishments will be a bit harder but with time and perseverence, you'll get there. Good luck!

Patrick. :-)

'Brackagh Hill': youtube.com/watch?v=pI3LwNuw7Z­Y

[Boggerdansken]

anyone got chords for this?