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The Connemara Cradle Song

[ Roud 46223 ; Henry H596 ; Ballad Index HHH596 ; Mudcat 7787 ; words John Francis Waller, music trad., adapted from the tune of Down in the Valley]

According to Pat Conway’s book The Very Best Irish Songs & Ballads (Dublin: Walton Manufacturing, 1999), page 44, Connemara Cradle Song was written by John Francis Waller (1809-1894).

The song was popularised by Mayo-born Delia Murphy (1902-1971) who apparently claimed copyright for it in 1951 (78rpm Melodisc P202).

Tommy Makem sang The Connemara Cradle Song in 1961 on his Tradition album Songs of Tommy Makem. Stacy Williams noted:

As much enrichment of American folk song as there has been from Irish immigration, it was inevitable that some of the people and some of the songs would return to the homeland. The listener will recognise the lilting cadences of the classic American folk song, Down in the Valley [ Roud 943 ].

Gay Woods sang The Connemara Cradle Song in 2000 on Steeleye Span’s CD Bedlam Born. She noted:

Inspired to sing this song after hearing a play on RTE Radio: “Riders to the Sea” by J.M. Synge. For the West Wind and the Atlantic Ocean.

Lyrics

Steeleye Span sing The Connemara Cradle Song

On wings of the wind o’er the dark rolling deep,
Angels are coming to watch over thee,
Angels are coming to watch o’er thy sleep.
So list to the wind coming over the sea.

Chorus (2× after each verse):
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow

The currachs are sailing way out on the blue,
Laden with herring of silvery hue,
O silver the herring, silver the sea -
Soon there’ll be silver for baby and me.

The currachs tomorrow will stand on the shore
And daddy goes sailing, a-sailing no more.
The nets will be drying, the nets heaven blessed,
And safe in my arms, contended he’ll rest.