A beautiful and slow Irish piece for solo cello. This sheet music is an arrangement of a song from around 1750s. It was originally sung in Irish.
I filmed this under the oak tree in my backyard on the last day of May, and the first day of summer after a very cold and wet year so far. The sound of the farmer herding cattle, shouting and beeping, and the river flowing, birds singing, wind, all brought this piece to life for me. I recommend playing outdoors this summer when you can, it is a glorious experience!
The song was translated by George Petrie in 1855 and also appears in 'A General Collection of the Ancient Irish Music' by Edward Bunting in 1796 where it is attributed to Turlough O'Carolan.
There's a colleen fair as May
For a year and for a day
I have sought by every way
Her heart to gain
There's no art of tongue or eye
Fond youths with maidens try
But I've tried with ceaseless sigh
And tried in vain.
If to France or far off Spain
She crossed the watery main
To see her face again
The seas I'd brave
And if it's heaven's decree
That mine she'll never be
May the Son of Mary
Me in mercy save.
But a kiss with welcome bland
And the touch of thy fair hand
Are all that I demand
Wouldst thou not spurn
For if not mine dear girl
My snowy breasted pearl
May I never from the fair
With life return.
If to France or far off Spain
She crossed the watery main
To see her face again
The seas I'd brave
And if it's heaven's decree
That mine she'll never be
May the Son of Mary
Me in mercy save.
Product Details
Composer
Traditional/de Ziah
Arranger
Ilse de Ziah for Solo Cello
Format
Downloadable PDF
Pages
1 page of digital sheet music
