Have a look at this nice new recording, and then read on for the story and lyrics
http://youtu.be/jbNt6pEsBHA
The song’s story
Mary Murphy is an Irish singer, musician and writer, based in Canada. We’ve featured her before a couple of times.
Here’s what Mary told us about this latest song:
The story of a man making his way toward Lisdoonvarna was great fun to write.
I have always loved this traditional melody and was thinking on the road that brings you from Liscannor (Cliffs of Moher) toward Lisdoonvarna, and then on to Ballyvaghan and the Burren ( places that have long been loved and visited by myself and my family). Once I started writing the lyrics, images and memories came roaring in, including the tumbling rain, slow moving tractors and pub life. It is meant to be a fun few hours of a fictional yet possible character. Some of these snapshots of life fell perfectly in line with lessons from Bitesize. A match made in……..Clare!
The song is featured in Mary’s newest album “Honey from Heather“, released just this month.
Check out http://www.marymurphy.ca/ for more from the album.
Lyrics to the song
THE ROAD TO LISDOONVARNA
THE ROAD TO LISDOONVARNA
WINDS AWAY WILL OFTEN TURN YA
ROUND THE BENDS THAT FALL AWAY
TO THE FIELDS WHERE PHRATAI’S LAY
SOME MIGHT TRAPSE THE CLIFFS OF MOHER
ON THE ROAD TO LISDOONVARNA
GRAPPLIN’ WITH THE GUSTS THAT SOAR
MAN AND NATURE
A BLEEDIN’ WAR
PASS THE LORRIES THAT TRAVEL SLOW
OVERFLOWIN WITH HEAVY LOADS
PRESS THE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR
UP THE CENTER A FRIGHTFUL ROAR
IS IT DIRECTIONS THAT YOU NEED
A FRIENDLY FACE WILL SURE CONCEDE
ANY PARTICULARS YOU NEED KNOW
SET YOU RIGHT AWAY YOU GO
BEWARE THE CLOUDS A WISE MAN SAID
ON THE ROAD TO LISDOONVARNA
IF THEY BOW THEIR BLACKENED HEADS
IT’S TUMBLIN’ BUCKETS OF SOGGY DREAD
THE ROAD TO LISDOONVARNA
DANCIN’ PAIR UPON THE SQUARE
MADE OF STONE AND ON DISPLAY
FIDDLE AND DRUM ACCOMPANY
MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE NEAREST PUB
MANEUVERING THROUGH AN UNRULY MOB
ALL AT ONCE ON YOUR EAR A TUG
OFF FOR A KISS IN A CROWDED SNUG
SILKEN WHITE IS A MIGHTY CURE
WHEN UNDERNEATH IS DARK AND PURE
JOIN THE RUKUS ANOTHER PINT
NO NEED FOR ANYWHERE ELSE TONIGHT
Nil tú déanach
Ar an mbóthar go Lios Dúin Bhearna
Ta tú in am
Fáilte agus tráthnóna maith
An mbeidh deoch agat
Anseo I Lios Dúin Bhearna
Pionta beoir nó cupán tae
Tá sé éasca a haon dó trí
Tá fidil aige Tá druma aici
An seinneann sibh ceol Oiche chéadaoin
An Bhfuil tú ag éisteacht
Ar mhaith libh dul amach anocht?
Cad as duit? Is as Inis dom
Teacht ar shiul le liom
Tá gruaig fhada rua uirthi
Tá mé i ngrá léi
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
You are not late
On the road to Lisdoonvarna
You are right on time
Welcome and good evening
Will you have a drink?
Here in Lisdoonvarna
Pint of beer or cup of tea
It is easy one two three
He has a fiddle She has a drum
Do you play music on Wednesday night?
Are you listening?
Would you like to go out with me?
Where are you from? I am from Inis
Come away with me
She has long red hair
I’m in love with her
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11 thoughts on “The Road to Lisdoonvarna Video with Irish”
Nice rendition and I like your lyrics. I’ve been playing “Road to Lisdoonvarna” for many years. Just this morning I wondered if there were some traditional lyrics. Seems as though it could be a tongue twister as well. So many of the musicians I have heard like to play this one really fast.
Great video, and the lyrics fit quite well! I was inspired to start learning the tune for banjo. Thanks to everyone for making this, and posting it here!
Thank you Patrick! I so appreciate your feedback. Yes, thank you Eoin and bitesize….you are the best!
Do you have a source for some easy stories or books in Irish? I am thinking that is a good way to practice Irish when there isn’t a conversational partner nearby. Thanks, Maggie Garrett
Maggie: Reading is an excellent way to practice your Irish skills! We’ve actually done a couple of blog posts on it:
http://www.bitesizeirishgaelic.com/blog/learning-irish-through-reading-one/
http://www.bitesizeirishgaelic.com/blog/learning-irish-through-reading-two/
http://www.bitesizeirishgaelic.com/blog/learning-irish-through-reading-thre/
If you scroll to the bottom of the first one, you’ll see links for several Irish bookshops. The biggest issue with importing books is the shipping fees, so if you can partner with a friend or two who wants to order some books, you can save by splitting the shipping cost.
http://www.philol.msu.ru/~school/sem_irish_texts.htm
Great song! (heard it first from Christy Moore though)
I’m sure Christy Moore has played the tune many times (it’s part of the stock repertoire for any traditional musician), but I doubt he sang it, since Ms Murphy wrote the lyrics!
Hello, Mary Murphy here. Christy Moore does have a great song called ‘Lisdoonvarna’. It is a different melody and lyric though. This is entitled ‘The Road to Lisdoonvarna’, and it is a traditional melody upon which I wrote the lyrics. As a writer myself, I would never claim to have written someone else’s material. Thank you very much for watching and liking the video and for visiting this great site. Mary
My biggest problem with teaching others in Irish latest with songs has been that everyone seems to have an Ulster accent. I love that this is with the one I use!
Is breá liomsa é! Go h’iontach!