“The Hills of Glensuili”
Description
An exile curses "those tyrannical laws that bind our native land" and thinks about the birds, fields, and dances of Glensuili. He has left his harp there to remind those left behind of him. He hopes "the time soon come around when I'll return"
Notes
Loch Suili and Gleann Suili (Glenswilli), mentioned in the song, are in Donegal, Ireland.
This is the same song, with only place names and a few words changing the political viewpoint, as "The Hills of Tandragee (II)." The tunes of McBride 36, and Morton-Ulster 41, "The Hills of Tandragee" are very similar. Morton-Ulster: "Here's a fairly modern Orange song ["The Hills of Tandragee"], and a great favorite among 'the brethren' because they can all join in on the last line of each verse. Dick Bamber, who gave it to me, is generally credited as the writer, but he tells me this is not correct. An old lady who lived beside him in Ballylisk near Tandragee, 'wrote it years ago.' It is a parody of a song she had on an old 78 r.p.m. record called 'The Hills of Glenswilly'. Just how long ago she wrote it he doesn't remember, but he says she gave it to him and he was the first to sing it in public. Now it's an Orange standard." These songs are not to be confused with "Craiganee," sometimes called "The Hills of Tandragee"; there is no love interest here.
Also collected and sung by Kevin Mitchell, "The Hills of Glen Swilly" (on Kevin and Ellen Mitchell, "Have a Drop Mair," Musical Tradition Records MTCD315-6 CD (2001)) - BS
Cross references
- cf. "The Hills of Tandragee (I)" (form, lyrics, tune)
Recordings
- Paddy Tunney, "The Hills of Glenswilly" (on IRPTunney02)
References
- Tunney-SongsThunder, pp. 97-99, "The Hills of Glensuili" (1 text)
- McBride 36, "Glenswilly" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #5087
- BI, TST097