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" Where the Dark Mournes Sweep Down to the Sea "

I took this misty moody image of the fabled Mourne Mountains in Co. Down, N.I. from the beach at Rush Co. Dublin in the Irish Repulic. Its approximately 40 miles away across Dundalk Bay. They truly do "sweep down to the sea!"

It was close to this spot that the songwriter Percy French wrote the beautiful classic song words , "The Mountains of Mourne " in 1896. It is set to the traditional tune of Carrigdhoun, { The Dark Rocks } and It is a song that tells of the purist love and innocence of a young immigrant farm labourer who leaves his home in his beloved Mournes to work in London being based on a letter he writes home to his sweetheart, Mary who is patiently waiting for him to return. It is possible that it is taken from actual reality as French was a renowned writer and performer, who may have been given a copy of such a letter. The language is definitely of working class and of that time by the expressions used in it. Me being me would like, to think it is factual..

It fills me up every time I hear it, even now.Its truly remarkable.It is the most recorded Irish song ever and has been sung by all the top singers in the world including playing by all the great orchestra and solo classical guitarists.It is on more albums than you could shake a stick at in a month of Sundays and Fridays too!.

For me personally, Don Mc Clean [ Starry Starry Night, American Pie and Castles in the Air } recorded the purest definitive uncluttered version.It cant be bettered in my opinion suffice to say "Shure twould even bring a tear to a Glass Eye" Of course not to get to serious about it unfortunately this song has been beaten to death by ever "drink taken" Irish immigrant throughout the World, whose missing home on a Saturday night in God knows where land! Im including myself in that but hardly beaten to death by me,Ah no, more of a massaged to death version really! The term Mary Mc Cree in the song is not the Girls name. Mo Chroi is the Irish for my heart which is truly beautiful and a lot more poetic than my love. It is very common in lots of Irish songs. Just a little snip for you regarding Irish immigrants. Many years ago I was in Moscow. Coming back home and approaching the airport I heard the strains of wild traditional music emminating from a pub I was passing. I could not believe it. I went in and the Irish were everywhere with a full live music session in full swing! They were all over there working on the Trans Siberian pipeline! Unbelievable! We do get about a bit as Im sure you have noticed!!!

I will include a link at the bottom of the page and even if you never listen to another song in your life, do listen to this haunting version and I defy you not to be moved by it. It was a major international hit for him as he is an amazing musician and his guitar playing and arrangement is superb

Ive seen these mountains many times but Ive never climbed them I intend to set that to rights this year as they are stunning..

The photo is not the best I know but Ive included it because of the song and the historical bit and you should all know me by this stage!!! lol!

Do have a great first week of the year and dont be a stranger now. { Dont be a stranger is a lovely term much used in Northern Ireland and thats why I have included it.}

Pat.

 

" So Ill wait for the wild rose, whose waiting for me,

Where the mountans of Mourne sweep down to the sea "

{ Orignal Chorus }

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_qBl8wOiX8

 

Update!;Wow! I dont really know what to say to your amazing comments on my effort. The photo could be lots better but obviously its the amazing song and a bit of my nonsense that makes it! Of course to me the story frames the image and ones without captions arnt the same. Of course there are superbly talented people on here whose photos dont need bolstering like mine But they are special people and rare. You will find lots of them in my friends list.I am honoured to have them and everyone else as my friends as I know how much time and effort it takes!!!! Ive got lots of time so its easy!!!

Thank you once again! Pat.

Please check out Fave and comment on my other photos as conveniently displayed in my Flickr River as the link below.

 

flickriver.com/photos/137473925@N08/

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Uploaded on January 4, 2017
Taken on October 6, 2016