Ballad by Simon Oak about the White Tailed Sea Eagles of Mountshannon, Co. Clare. The song was written for the Song Writing Competition of the 2013 Trad Festival, where the theme was to celebrate the successful breeding of these mighty birds at a nest near Mountshannon for the first time in over 110 years. The song never made it to the final, but the jury told Simon that it was his wife’s favourite!
Lyrics
My love will never die
For the colours of the rainbow
Although I cannot reach out and hold you tight
For the many shades of green
That can be seen across the island
Although I have to leave you behind
Where the counties of Galway, of Clare and Tipperary
Connect through the spirits that Inis Cealtra hides
Where the curry is renown
And they say “Céad míle fáilte”
Where the White Tailed Sea Eagle flies
When fishing boats are fading
In the early morning silence
And foggy wisps are white in the morning light
Lough Derk is lying still
Softly singing masterpieces
A godly living thing, a free man’s guide
Traditions can be found there as if time was not invented
And the people possess a great sense to harmonise
No better place on earth
For a bird so wild and mighty
Where the White Tailed Sea Eagle flies
Intermezzo
Where the oak and the ash
Host the pride of old Mountshannon
The eagle chicks reared till their maiden flight
No better place on earth
For a bird so wild and mighty
Where the White Tailed Sea Eagle flies
If you prefer Spotify, here’s the link.
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