THE CONNEMARA CRADLE SONG
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Time signature: 9/8
Tempo: ~125 bpm. |
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Attributed to Delia Murphy, an Irish composer & collector
Melody based on "Down in the Valley" |
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Everything (especially the "key" for each tune) needs to be checked.
Sheet music for this tune includes simple3-4 time, compound duple (6-8 time) and compound triple (9-8 time). The accordion notation for 9-8 time version is included below.
Played slowly in simple-triple-time it can sounds like a slow waltz, and if with harmonic bass-end accompaniment, and a gentle (rather than strong) beat, it becomes the lullaby promised in its title. The majority of youTube videos, embedded below, fall into this category.
Played at a fast tempo in compound-duple time with rhythmic bass-end accompaniment, it may sound perhaps more like a sea shanty, with the feel of a "jig". If played equally rapidly, but in compound-triple-time, it may feel like a "slip-jig".
Sheet music for this tune includes simple3-4 time, compound duple (6-8 time) and compound triple (9-8 time). The accordion notation for 9-8 time version is included below.
Played slowly in simple-triple-time it can sounds like a slow waltz, and if with harmonic bass-end accompaniment, and a gentle (rather than strong) beat, it becomes the lullaby promised in its title. The majority of youTube videos, embedded below, fall into this category.
Played at a fast tempo in compound-duple time with rhythmic bass-end accompaniment, it may sound perhaps more like a sea shanty, with the feel of a "jig". If played equally rapidly, but in compound-triple-time, it may feel like a "slip-jig".
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Accordion Notation
in compound-triple-time |
Counts per bar = 9 (compound-triple-time)
Pronounced (strong) Beats per bar = 3 Pronounced beat symbol = Semicolon ( ; ) or equivalent |
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EITHER ROW - LOW
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Buttons 2 to 5*
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Verse 1 (of 3 or more)
"2 | "2 "3 "3* - ;4 - .4 "4 | "4 "4* "5 - ;2*~ - ~;2* |
On wings of a wind o'er the dark roll-ing deep_____
"2 "2* "3* - ;5 - .5* "5 | "4* "4 "3* - ;4~ - ~;4 |
An-gels are com - ing to watch o'er thy sleep____
"2 "3 "3* - ;4 - .4 "4 | "4 "4* "5 - ;2*~ - ~.2*
An-gels are com - ing to watch ov-er thee_____
"2 | "2 "2* "3* - ;5 - .5* "5 | "4* "4 "3* - ;3~ - ~;3 |
So list to the wind com-ing ov-er the sea_______
Chorus - The following short chorus uses the melody of lines 1 & 2 of the verse.
Some performers use the full-verse melody. There are other variants.
"2 "3 "3* - ;4 - .4 "4 | "4 "4* "5 - ;2*~ - ~;2* |
Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow_____
"2 "2* "3* - ;5 - .5* "5 | "4* "4 "3* - ;3~ - ~;3 |
Hang your head o - ver, hear the wind blow_____
"2 | "2 "3 "3* - ;4 - .4 "4 | "4 "4* "5 - ;2*~ - ~;2* |
On wings of a wind o'er the dark roll-ing deep_____
"2 "2* "3* - ;5 - .5* "5 | "4* "4 "3* - ;4~ - ~;4 |
An-gels are com - ing to watch o'er thy sleep____
"2 "3 "3* - ;4 - .4 "4 | "4 "4* "5 - ;2*~ - ~.2*
An-gels are com - ing to watch ov-er thee_____
"2 | "2 "2* "3* - ;5 - .5* "5 | "4* "4 "3* - ;3~ - ~;3 |
So list to the wind com-ing ov-er the sea_______
Chorus - The following short chorus uses the melody of lines 1 & 2 of the verse.
Some performers use the full-verse melody. There are other variants.
"2 "3 "3* - ;4 - .4 "4 | "4 "4* "5 - ;2*~ - ~;2* |
Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow_____
"2 "2* "3* - ;5 - .5* "5 | "4* "4 "3* - ;3~ - ~;3 |
Hang your head o - ver, hear the wind blow_____
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Seventeen videos, various keys A=1 Bb=1 C=1 Db=2 D=7 E=1 F=1 G=3
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Key: A
Tempo: ~136 bpm Singer: Tommy Makem Posted by: Tommy Makem - Topic |
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Key: Db
Tempo: ~95 bpm Group: Charlie Hope? Posted by: Charlie Hope - Topic |
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Key: Bb
Tempo: ~110bpm Singer: Maria McCool Posted by: An Ghaoth Aniar |
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Key: C
Tempo: ~150 bpm Singer: Caitlin? Posted by: irishmusicdotcodotuk |
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Key: D
Tempo: ~100 bpm Singer: Johnny McEvoy Posted by: joasha156 |
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Key: D ?
Tempo: ~160 bpm Singer: Fionnuala O'Donovan Posted by: Celtic Sojourn |
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Key: D
Tempo: ~105 bpm Performers: John Whitehead Posted by: John Whitehead |
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Key: D from time 0 to 3:00
from 3:50 to end Musical interlude (different tune) from time 3:00 to 3:50 Tempo: ~105 bpm Group: Steeleye Span Posted by: Steeleye Span - Topic |
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Key: Db
Tempo: ~125 bpm Singer: Diarmuid O'Flynn Posted by: Diarmuid O'Flynn |
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Key: D
Tempo: ~150 bpm. Group: DctBand Erin Posted by: Tribute Music |
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Key: E
Tempo: ~100 bpm. Singer: Mary Behan Miller Posted by: Mary Behan Miller - Topic |
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This rendition is clearly in 3-4 time, with a distinctive 123 beat pattern.
Key: D Tempo: ~120 bpm. Group: The Jarrah Celts (from Australia) Posted by: Tom Connole |
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Key: D
Tempo: ~145 bpm Singer: Martin Carton Accordion: Martin Byrne Others: Geraldine Wheeler, Ray Cunning & Mark Keenan Posted by: ballinue |
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Key: F
Tempo: ~130 bpm Group: Sons of Erin Posted by: NL Treasure |
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Key: G
Tempo: ~80 bpm Group: From the Grey Well (an Australian Celtic Group) Posted by: Benjamin Loomes |
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Key: G
Tempo: ~135bpm. Group: 97th Regimental String Band Posted by: Various Artists - Topic |
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Key: G
Tempo: ~125 bpm Group: Aran Folk Posted by: Aran Folk - Topic |
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BACKGROUND MATERIALS, INFORMATION & LINKS
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Lyrics:
Verse 1 Refrain Verse 2 Verse 3 |
Sing the refrain after each verse.
On the wings of a wind o'er the dark rolling deep Angels are coming to watch o'er thy sleep Angels are coming to watch over thee So list to the wind coming over the sea. Hear the wind blow love, hear the wind blow Lean your head over and hear the wind blow The currachs are sailing way out on the blue Laden with herring of silvery hue Silver the herring and silver the sea And soon there'll be silver for baby and me The currachs tomorrow will stand on the shore And daddy goes sailing, sailing no more The nets will be drying, the nets heaven blessed And safe in my arms dear, contented he'll rest. |
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Background Links:
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Click HERE for more (wikipedia) info on Delia Murphy
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