Are you looking for Song For Ireland lyrics?
There are just a few classic Irish tunes that weren’t composed by Irish people, and this is one of them. Both Phil Colclough and his wife, June Colclough, are initially from England. Together, they are responsible for writing “Song for Ireland.”
Phil Colclough was an English contemporary folk singer and songwriter. He was born on 11 January 1940 and died on 23 September 2019. “Song for Ireland” and “The Call and the Answer” are two of his most well-known pieces, both of which were created in collaboration with his wife, June Colclough (1941–12 October 2004).
In 1966, they moved to London, where they became members of the Critics Group, which Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger led. Eventually, they parted ways with the group as a result of contentious disagreements that were brought on by MacColl’s “authoritarian tendencies.”
Following their move back to North Staffordshire in the 1970s, the Colclough family became involved in producing a folk music radio program for BBC Radio Stoke.
The Colclough family’s vacation to the Dingle Peninsula was the impetus for the writing of “Song for Ireland.” When it was released for the first time in the early 1980s, this song was met with tremendous acclaim on the Irish folk circuit.
“Song for Ireland” has been called a “contemporary classic,” and it has been covered by a wide variety of performers, such as Dick Gaughan, Luke Kelly, Mary Black, Ralph McTell, Celtic Spirit, The Dubliners, Brendan Hayes, Damien Leith, and Scott Appel, among others.
This song is a celebration of Ireland and has evolved into a national anthem for the nation, its culture, and its people. The fact that it was written by a couple from the county of Staffordshire in England is something that many people find to be quite surprising.
The first line of the verse talks about silver-winged falcons who “know the call of freedom in their breasts.” This lends the poem an air of poetry and majesty. A reference is made to Black Head, described as having “twisted rocks run down to the sea.”
The county of Clare is home to Black Head, which provides stunning views of Galway Bay and Connemara. Additionally, you can stare out to sea in the direction of the Aran Islands.
The song has lyrics like “talking all day, with true friends who strive to make you stay.” This is the theme of the second stanza, which is a celebration of the easygoing warmth of the folks.
Song For Ireland
Listen to this stunning performance of “Song for Ireland” by Mary Black. If you want to sing along, the lyrics are here for your convenience.
Song For Ireland Lyrics
Walking all the day, near tall towers
Where falcons build their nests
Silver winged they fly
They know the call of freedom in their breasts
Saw Black Head against the sky
Where twisted rocks they run down to the sea
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Drinking all the day in old pubs
Where fiddlers love to play
Someone touched the bow
He played a reel
It seemed so fine and gay
Stood on Dingle beach
And cast in wild foam we found Atlantic bass
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Talking all the day with true friends
Who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news
Singing songs to pass the night away
Watched the Galway salmon run
Like silver dancing darting in the sun
Living on your western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Dreaming in the night I saw a land
Where no man had to fight
Waking in your dawn
I saw you crying in the morning light
Lying where the falcons fly
They twist and turn all in you’er blue sky
Living on your western shore,
Saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Ireland
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.