“The Lurgy Stream (The Lurgan/Leargaidh Stream)”

Description

The singer arrives in the country and sees a beautiful woman by the (Lurgy) stream. He asks her to marry him and come across the seas. She turns him down. He promises to be true, and tries again. She rejects him again. He mopes and leaves home

Notes

McBride: "This is another Donegal song, popular in many parts of Ireland, especially the northern parts. Versions of this song were made famous in the earlier half of this century through recordings made in America by people like John McGettigan. Old 78 rpm records were sent home to the kinfolk by emigrants." - BS

Recordings

  • Mary Anne Connelly, "Lurgan Stream" (on Voice15, IRHardySons)

References

  1. SHenry H65a, pp. 293-294, "Alt[i]mover Stream" (1 text, 1 tune); H229a+b, p. 360-361, "The Lurgan Stream" (2 texts, 1 tune. The two texts are probably different redactions of the same original)
  2. McBride 52, "The Lurgy Stream" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. Roud #6881 and 6889
  4. BI, HHH229

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1928 (Sam Henry collection)
Found in: Ireland