Last night as I lay dreaming of the pleasant days gone by,
My mind being bent on rambling, to Erin’s Isle I did fly.
I stepped on board a vision and sailed out with a will,
‘Till I gladly came to anchor at the Cross of Spancil Hill…
This is the opening of an extraordinary poem written by a man named Michael Considine. In 1870 Michael left his home at the crossroads called Spancil Hill, a few miles outside Ennis in County Clare, seeking his fortune in America with the intention of bringing his sweetheart, Mary McNamara, to join him as soon as he was able. Sadly, in 1873 at the age of 23, Michael fell ill in California and died before seeing Mary or his home in Clare again. But, this being the story of an Irishman, it ends with a poem – which of course was eventually turned into a haunting ballad. While he was ill, and perhaps knowing he was dying, Michael wrote this poem and before he passed away, posted it to John, his six-year-old nephew back in Spancil Hill. The original version of the song Spancil Hill, traces back to the late 1930’s to early ’40s and a local man named Robbie McMahon, who was given the original text by a relative of Michael Considine.
I stumbled upon a brilliant version of Spancil Hill on youtube a few days ago, while cruising for music to get me through the winter doldrums of my Chicago suburb. Here the Irish folk legend and balladeer, Christy Moore joins with Shane MacGowan, the phenomenal, albeit tooth-challenged, talent of Celtic Rock and Punk renown, to give a beautiful rendition of the musical version of Considine’s heart-rending poem, which tells the story of the yearning for home, wherever that might be.
10 comments
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February 7, 2011 at 6:56 pm
lifeonthecutoff
Wow! That tugged at my heart a wee bit. What a beautiful rendition, Janet, though I have to admit I was slightly distracted by the cigarette, waiting for the ashes to fall.
February 7, 2011 at 7:10 pm
bloggingfromthebog
Yes, I know what you mean about the cigarette – I think that was done before the ban on smoking indoors in public buildings!
February 9, 2011 at 12:50 am
kate
Hey thats like me! I awoke in California many miles from home. Its so funny that Shane MacGowan is such a rough looking guy but his voice is so familiar and comforting to me!! What a great, sad, nostalgic, beautiful song that, sung by anyone else, wouldnt be quite as moving.
February 9, 2011 at 8:01 am
bloggingfromthebog
Maybe that’s the weird vibe of California – so many people so far from home, even going back to 1870 and before! Oh well, unlike Michael Considine, at least we have air travel and skype! 🙂
I agree completely about Shane MacGowan. His voice adds so much depth and feeling to a song, this song in particular. And Christy Moore sings beautifully. I think the two of them together are the perfect balance. They do a great job with “A Pair of Brown Eyes” too. You can get to that song at the end of this one.
February 12, 2011 at 1:22 am
Kimme
Hello Janet 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your kind comments. It is so nice to meet someone else who loves Irish culture and cottages as much as I do!
I have really enjoyed reading your blog. We have a lot in common. I am also a SAHM and I have a daughter who is about to go off to college. I hope you don’t mind that I am adding you to my favorites blog list. 🙂
Enjoy your cottage! It sounds so wonderful 🙂
~kimme
February 12, 2011 at 8:00 am
bloggingfromthebog
Kimme, welcome to the bog blog! I’m glad you enjoyed it, yours was quite a find for me, too! We do have a lot in common – and I wish your daughter the best at college!
February 25, 2011 at 9:48 am
janet (Country Mouse)
That was beautiful. On this cold winter day I could almost picture green hills of Ireland. Very sad music for this homebody.
February 25, 2011 at 10:41 am
bloggingfromthebog
I believe the Irish are masters at writing and singing sad songs about the yearning for home – I suppose they’ve had a lot of practice.
March 25, 2015 at 2:27 am
kelly emo
The best version is played by Lazy Shark on youtube,
March 25, 2015 at 7:47 am
bloggingfromthebog
Thank you kelly I will check that out!