A traditional Irish sean nós song about three brothers from County Waterford transported to New South Wales on the basis of false accusations probably because of their resistance to landlord oppression.
This is a solo piece on the album by Mahesh, sung with the accompaniment of Indian harmonium and a traditional Indian classical (Carnatic) style vocal introduction and interlude in the raga (melodic framework or scale) of 'Desh'. Desh means land and the raga is used to invoke the love and memory of land and the sense of loss experienced by convicts transported here (many of whom were Irish). It also expresses love for a new land and country, which many of the transportees and settlers to this far away land would have developed.
One of the Connerys brother died soon after coming here but the other two managed to make a life here starting up a farm in present day Centennial Park. Meanwhile, their acts of resistance and unfair treatment back in Ireland made them folk heroes, captured in songs such as this one. No doubt the brothers would have brought their Irish language with them to Australia. Tá súil agam go raibh mé ag rá na focail ceart!
'Unsung Yarns' album launch will be at the Vanguard (Newtown) on 7 April 2011. Visit www.thevanguard.com.au for bookings
lyrics
A Chaoimhín mhallaithe guímse deacair ort agus gráin Mhic Dé
(Is) ar an ngasra úd athá ceangailte go dlúth le do thaobh
Mar 's iad a dhearbhaigh na leabhartha go humhal sa mbréag
Is do chuir na Connerys thar na farraigí go dtí 's na New South Wales
An té a bheadh ina sheasamh ann (is) dhéanfadh machnamh ar ár gcúis dá plé
Mar a sheasaigh sé ón seacht ar maidín go dtí tar éis a naoi
Do chroith an talamh fúinn le linn na leabhartha (ann dá) dtabhairt sa mbréag
Is mo ghreidhin an t-anam bocht (nó) tá sí damanta má's fíor don chléir
Interlude in raga 'Desh'
A Bhanríon bheannaithe is a Rí na bhFlaitheas Gheal, tabhair fuascailt orainn araon
(Is) ar an mbanaltra atá sa bhaile 's go dúch inár ndéidh
Le linn an Aifrinn a bígí ag agallamh is ag guí chun Dé
Ar na Connerys a thabhairt abhaile chughainn ó sna New South Wales
(Adapted from http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=57396
credits
from Unsung Yarns,
released April 7, 2011
Vocals & harmonium- Mahesh Radhakrishnan
Recorded (at Glossodia) and mixed by Greg Le Couteur (Shadowsounds)
Mastered by William Bowden
Special thanks to Mossie Scanlon for sharing this song and hearing me sing it agus gach Gaeilgeori san Astráil.
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