Red Robin

VARO sang Red Robin, accompanied by Alannah Thornburgh on harp, on their 2025 album of collaborations, The World That I Knew. They noted:

We learned this song from a 1977 recording of Mikey Kelleher (1907-1987), found in an online collection of songs from County Clare. We immediately fell in love with the melody and lyrics of this song, which describes a state of mind rather than a real story. It seemed to paint a paysage of nostalgia, memories and loneliness while at the same time expressing extreme human warmth and connection with the elements of nature.

The red robin, through many centuries and cultures, has been deeply rooted in rich symbolism. For some, seeing a red robin is a symbol of rebirth, the beginning of spring after a harsh winter, the coming of a new chapter in life after a difficult moment. Others believe that the visit of a red robin represents a messenger for lost loved ones: “When robins appear, loved ones are near.”

Lyrics

VARO sing Red Robin

So come into my cabin red robin, partake of my plain, humble fare.
I never yet had a dainty red robin and Paddy could share.
Come freely up into my cabin, thrice welcomes wee robin from me;
This cold winter put on his white cap, and again, I’ll give shelter to thee.

Three long years have gone by, sweet red robin, since I first gave shelter to thee.
And at last, what a change, pretty robin, since you first saw my Sheila with me.
I once had a beautiful Sheila, and now with another she’s gone.
Kind friends daily call to my cabin and now I must sigh all alone.

(repeat first verse)

O where’s that sweetheart, red robin, go search her on house top or tree,
And I’ll freely be kind to you, robin, who falls what my Sheila to me.
You shall share every crumb on my table and sing the wild winters away,
I would not let them harm you robin, let others use me as they may.

(repeat first verse)