School: Cill Chóirne (C.) (roll number 8829)

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1. A Song

   “This was composed by Bernie Coakley”

   

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   This was composed by Daniel Coakley who was principal of Ballinagree N. School, retired on pension some 25 years and died 5 years ago aged 95. He composed for himself and his then sweet-heart who afterwards became his wife. The information is supplied by Denis A O'Sullivan, Annagannihy, Shop-keeper aged 35 years.

   
   (1)

   The hills are clad in purple and the skylark warbles high

   This cool September morn where no clouds o'er cast the sky

   Down from Mauma Valley comes a cool an gentle breeze

   Then will yo wander there with me to pick the blackberries

   
   (2)

   On this lonely hillside where the hare lives lone and free

   And Mushua Mór in its lofty pride looks down on Abha Bhuidhe

   And drowsy books in shady nooks and the hum of the wandering bee

   Will soothe our ear with music while we pick the blackberries

   
   (3)

   The young maidens all with joyous hearts have passed into the fair

   And maidens gay and blight as they have gone to meet them there

   But Mary dear what need we care, for either those or these

   While hand to hand we'll roam along and pick the blackberries

   
   (4)

   The gentle river Launa flows at the foot of Ballinagree

   And many a briary glen it knows from Sgrathan to the Lee

   In some retreat where flowers still grow we'll nestle at our ease

   And talk of love my darling while we pick the blackberries

   
   OVER

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Denis A. O Sullvan

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   35

   Occupation

   Shopkeeper

   Address

   Annagannihy, Co. Cork