Annotation:Kerrywoman's Lament (The)

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 KERRYWOMAN'S LAMENT, THE. Irish, Air (4/4 time). Ireland, County Clare. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). From the repertoire of Clare fiddler Martin 'Junior' Creehan, whose spoken introduction on the album (Ceol an Clair) tells the story of three fisherman, blown out sea far from land by a gale, and in dire staits with little food or water. Two survived only because one of them sacrificed himself when he drew the fatal lot, and his body and blood nourished the others until they were rescued. Upon their return to their village the deceased lad's mother learned of his sacrifice, and keened this lament. Creehan notes that the words to the song were lost due to the banning of the Irish language by the English, but the air survived.  Source for notated version:  Printed sources:  Recorded sources: Junior Creehan - "Ceol an Clair"  See also listing at: Hear Junior Creehan at the Comhaltas Archive

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