Irish Boy

from Fields of the North by Michael Kelly

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

about

A delightful but somewhat obscure anglicized version of a
Scottish traditional ballad that has defied most of my
attempts to find out more about its origins. Some sources
place it as being from southwestern Scotland in the region
of Wigtownshire, and as a song about a Scottish girl
lamenting her betrayal by the Irish boy that she loved,
who managed to pass himself off as Scottish due to the
similarity of the languages of Scots and 'Galoway Irish'.

lyrics

In yonder wood there is a bird
They say he's wild as he can be
Oh, how I wish that bird was me
Since my true love has left me

CHORUS
And oh, what a foolish young girl was I
Who fell in love with an Irish boy
An Irish boy he may well be
But he spoke Braid Scots when he courted me

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I wish I were a maid again
But a maid again, I ne'er shall be
Till an apple grows on a rowen tree

(Chorus)

The song of birds may glad the world
Yet bring to mind a sorrow key
For he is gone, now I must bide
Would I had love instead of pride

(Chorus)

credits

from Fields of the North, released February 1, 2003
Vocals - Stacy Hilton
Backup Vocals - Michael Kelly, Dan Lindenberger
Guitar - Michael Kelly
Cello - Christina Zaenker

license

about

Michael Kelly Vancouver, British Columbia

contact / help

Contact Michael Kelly

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Michael Kelly, you may also like:

*.* And Other Star Things
by The Faithful Sidekicks

supported by 5 fans who also own “Irish Boy”
go to album
A Dancing World
by Echo's Children

supported by 5 fans who also own “Irish Boy”

The breadth and depth of the variety of the music is wonderful. sambearpoet
go to album
Achievement Unlocked
by The Faithful Sidekicks

supported by 5 fans who also own “Irish Boy”

It is gloriously nerdy, and the musicianship is wonderful!! Teresa Kintner Gunderson
go to album
Wealth of Sorrow
by Cahalen Morrison

Bright and skipping songs that foreground the sound of the banjo and fingerstyle guitar in music that feels timeless. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 5, 2020
go to album
HOME
by Lewis Barfoot

From Cork, Ireland, Lewis Barfoot writes mystic, majestic songs derived from regional folk, with an ambient music aura. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 11, 2023
go to album
The Two Worlds
by Brigid Mae Power

The latest LP from Brigid Mae Power is gorgeous and ghostly, setting Power’s voice against soft brushes of guitar, piano, & shuffling drums. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 17, 2018
go to album
As Good As Any
by Echo's Children

supported by 5 fans who also own “Irish Boy”
go to album