Star of the County Down

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:31 pm

Maybe we know different words?

Thanks for the Yo Yo Ma reference!

I find always new versions of
Star and new arrangements, which
speaks to its beauty, I think,
and I keep looking for better
ones. All these references
are appreciated. Best

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 3:15 pm

On 2003-01-10 07:07, brewerpaul wrote:
I like to play Star as a medely with itself! I first play it through a couple of times nice and slow, like an air, then kick it up to a reel pace ( not TOO fast). Try it.

Wow! I tried something similar today. A couple of people here had mentioned 3/4 versions, and I'd always played it in 4/4, so I tried it in waltz time...sounded good! Then I got creative with the ornamentation and ended up with a little jig version that was really quite fun.

Redwolf

ChrisA · Post by **ChrisA** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 2:44 am

From memory, and undoubtedly mixing up lines from a few variations (I only half-know the song, so I can't call this 'my variation' yet...

). I think I'm the first half of
the first line of the second verse (it doesn't sound right otherwise...) but I can't think what it is offhand.(Edit:
I made something to fit the rhythm and the
story.)

Star of the County Down (trad)

Near Branbridge Town in the County Down one morning last July /
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen, and she smiled as she passed me by /
She looked so sweet from her two bare feet to the sheen of her nut brown hair /
Such a coaxing elf that I shook myself to be sure I was standing there.

Chorus:
From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay and from Galway to Dublin Town, no maid I've seen like the sweet colleen that I met in the County Down.

(She passed me by and after her) I gazed with a feeling rare,/
and I said says I, to a passer-by, "Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?" /
He smiled at me, and with pride says he, "That's the gem of Ireland's crown, /
young Rosie McGann from the banks of the Bann, she's the Star of the County Down!"

(chorus)

At the Harvest fair she'll be surely there, so I'll dress in my Sunday Clothes, /
with my shoes shined bright and my hat just right, win the heart of the nut-brown rose. /
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke, though my plow should rust and brown, /
'till a smiling bride by my own fireside, sits the Star of the County Down!

(chorus)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ChrisA on 2003-01-11 03:50 ]</font>

DanD · Post by **DanD** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 11:31 am

On 2003-01-09 16:32, aderyn wrote:
Oops, and I forgot a really good version of it from ThorntonRose: Here

Andrea ~*~

This is the version our band plays, but we play it slower and in Em. Simply take the tune in G and lower each note one step - i.e. Cnat instead of D, G instead of A, etc. It gives a different feel to the tune.

WyoBadger · Post by **WyoBadger** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 1:24 pm

[quote]
On 2003-01-11 03:44, ChrisA wrote:

(She passed me by and after her) I gazed with a feeling rare,/

I believe it's "she winked her eye as she passed me by, and I looked with a feeling rare." That's how I always sing it, anyway.

TW

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 1:58 pm

I have that line as:

As she onward sped, sure I shook my head, and I gazed with a feeling rare.

I also have different lyrics for the third verse:

At the Harvest fair she'll be surely there, so I'll dress in my Sunday Clothes, /
and I'll try sheep's eyes and delude her with lies for a smile from my nut brown rose./
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke, though my plow with the rust grows brown, /
'till a smiling bride by my own fireside, sits the Star of the County Down!

I've also heard a version, by Tom Dahill out of St. Paul, MN, where the third verse is the fourth verse. The third verse in this version is about a crossroads dance or fair and has a great line about "coaxing a spud from a hungry pig" - I REALLY wish I could recall this whole verse.

No matter what the lyrics, I love this tune.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jayhawk on 2003-01-16 14:58 ]</font>

WyoBadger · Post by **WyoBadger** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 3:40 pm

I know a third verse that runs along these lines:
I've roamed a bit, but I never was hit since my roaming career began
But fair and square I surrendered there to the charms of Rose McCann
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet, though I'd searched countryside and town
But in she went and I charged no rent to the star of the County Down.

I've heard that verse about coaxing a spud from a hungry pig, too, but I don't remember it either. It's funny, though.
TW

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 3:40 pm

My band also uses this little known verse as the third verse, with the more standard third verse fourth. I actually like this one best of then all.

"I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the star of the County Down."

Seth

WyoBadger · Post by **WyoBadger** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 3:41 pm

Seth, you gotta be quick around here, pal.

TW

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 4:05 pm

I guess I just don't have what it takes : ) I'm not quick enough for this board

Seth

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 4:21 pm

And all the versions are good.