The Curragh of Kildare
Encyclopedia
"The Curragh of Kildare" is an Irish Folk Song. The traditional folk song is in twenty-one lines, normally accompanied by the Irish Guitar and the Fiddle. The Curragh of Kildare speaks of the actual Curragh
, which is a plain in Kildare
, Ireland
, used to rally the Irish Army.
The song was taken down at different times in Ireland by collectors like Petrie and Joyce
. Versions have also been collected in Scotland (where it has been attributed to Robbie Burns in the south of England. Different airs were used for this song.
and the summer's come at last.
The small birds are singing in the trees
and their little hearts are glad
ah, but mine is very sad
since my true love is far away from me
and straight I will repair
to the Curragh of Kildare
for it's there I'll finds tidings of my dear
Oh the rose upon the briar
by the water running free
bring joy to the linnet and the bee
and their little hearts are blessed
but mine can know no rest
since my true love is far away from me
All you who are in love
aye and cannot it remove
I pity the pain that you endure
for experience lets me know
that your hearts are filled with woe
It's a woe that no mortal can cure
Alternative version:
The winter it is past,
and the summer's come at last.
The small birds are singing in the trees;
Their little hearts are glad
oh but mine is very sad,
for my true love is far away from me.
The rose and the brier
and the water running by
are heaven for the linnet and the bee.
Their little hearts are blessed,
oh but mine is not at rest
for my true love is far away from me.
A livery I will wear
and I'll comb back my hear
and in a velvet green I will appear
and it's straight I will go there
to the Curragh of Kildare,
for it's there I'll find tidings of my dear.
I'll wear a cap of black
with a frill around my neck.
Gold rings on each finger I will wear.
It's this I undertake
for my own true love's sake.
She resides at the Curragh of Kildare.
My love is like the sun
that in the firmament doth run
And always proves so constant and so true;
But hers is like the moon
that wanders up and down
And each month becomes something quite new.
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
, which is a plain in Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, used to rally the Irish Army.
The song was taken down at different times in Ireland by collectors like Petrie and Joyce
Patrick Weston Joyce
Patrick Weston Joyce was an Irish historian, writer and music collector, known particularly for his research in local place names of Ireland.-Biography:...
. Versions have also been collected in Scotland (where it has been attributed to Robbie Burns in the south of England. Different airs were used for this song.
Lyrics
Oh the winter it has passedand the summer's come at last.
The small birds are singing in the trees
and their little hearts are glad
ah, but mine is very sad
since my true love is far away from me
and straight I will repair
to the Curragh of Kildare
for it's there I'll finds tidings of my dear
Oh the rose upon the briar
by the water running free
bring joy to the linnet and the bee
and their little hearts are blessed
but mine can know no rest
since my true love is far away from me
All you who are in love
aye and cannot it remove
I pity the pain that you endure
for experience lets me know
that your hearts are filled with woe
It's a woe that no mortal can cure
Alternative version:
The winter it is past,
and the summer's come at last.
The small birds are singing in the trees;
Their little hearts are glad
oh but mine is very sad,
for my true love is far away from me.
The rose and the brier
and the water running by
are heaven for the linnet and the bee.
Their little hearts are blessed,
oh but mine is not at rest
for my true love is far away from me.
A livery I will wear
and I'll comb back my hear
and in a velvet green I will appear
and it's straight I will go there
to the Curragh of Kildare,
for it's there I'll find tidings of my dear.
I'll wear a cap of black
with a frill around my neck.
Gold rings on each finger I will wear.
It's this I undertake
for my own true love's sake.
She resides at the Curragh of Kildare.
My love is like the sun
that in the firmament doth run
And always proves so constant and so true;
But hers is like the moon
that wanders up and down
And each month becomes something quite new.