Christy Moore - Spancil Hill | live Vicar Street Dublin 2020

Christy Moore, Spancil Hill, live at Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday 14 January 2020
#Christymoore #Spancilhill

LYRICS

Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
My mind being bent on rambling to Ireland's isle did fly
I stepped on board a vision and I followed with the wind
And I shortly came to anchor at the cross of Spancil Hill

Delighted by the novelty, and enchanted with the scene
Where in my early boyhood, as so often I have been
I thought I heard a murmur, I think I hear it still
‘Tis that little stream of water that flows down Spancil Hill

To amuse a passing fancy, I lay upon the ground
Where all my school companions shortly gathered round
When we were home returning we danced with right good will
To Martin Moylan's music at the cross of Spancill Hill

It being on the 23rd of June the day before the fair
When Ireland's sons and daughters in crowds assembled there
The young, the old, the brave and the bold, they came to sport and to kill
There were curious combinations at the fair of Spancil Hill

I went to see my old neighbours to hear what they might say
The old ones were all dead and gone and the young ones turning grey
I met with the tailor Quigley, he's as brave as ever still
Sure he used to mend my britches when I lived in Spancil Hill

I paid a flying visit to my first and only love
She's as white as any lily and as gentle as a dove
She threw her arms around me and said "Johnny I love you still"
Oh she's Mack the Ranger's daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill

I dreamt I stood and kissed her as in the days of yore
She said, "Johnny you're only joking like many's the time before"
The cock crew in the morning, it crew both loud and shrill
And I awoke in California, many miles from Spancil Hill


MORE INFO

'Spancil Hill' is a traditional Irish folk ballad composed by Michael Considine, who was born in Spancil Hill in County Clare and at the age of 20 emigrated to America in search of a better life, where he died in 1873. The poem tells of Michael's longing for home and his yearning for the people he left behind in Ireland. No Irish sing-along is complete without a rendition of 'Spancill Hill', and this particular version is beautifully sung by Christy Moore.