John McCormack Gems (16) :The Bard of Armagh (Traditional Irish) : 1920

This recording was made by John John McCormack on 30th March 1920, five years before the use of microphones and other electrial equioment in recording studios. The orchestra is conducted by Josef A. Pasternack.
I have tried to get the best possible audio quality and, just to give a "live" effect and add a little presence, I have added applause.
The melody of The Bard of Armagh was used for the American country music hit song The Streets Of Laredo.
The song is sometimes attributed to Patrick Donnelly who was Bishop of Dromore in 1697 and was banished from Ireland along with other Catholic clergy by the 1697 Banishment Act. Instead of going to one of the ports for deportation he went into hiding and took the name Phelim Brady who was a travelling harper at the time. The original version in the Irish language is lost but the English language version is as follows. (John McCormack sings verses 1, 4 and 6).
Oh list to the strains of a poor Irish harper,
And scorn not the strings from his poor withered hands,
Remember his fingers, could once move more sharper,
To raise up the memory of his dear native land.

It was long before the shamrock, the dear isle's loved emblem,
Was crushed in its beauty by the Saxon lion's paw,
I was called by the colleens around me assembling
Their bold Phelim Brady, the Bard of Armagh.

How I love to muse on the days of my boyhood,
Though four score and three years have flitted since then.
Still it gives sweet reflection, as every first joy should,
For free-hearted boys make the best of old men.

At fair or at wake I could twist my shillelagh,
Or trip through the jig with mi brogues bound with straw.
And all the pretty maids in the village and the valley
Loved their bold Phelim Brady, the Bard of Armagh.

Now tho' I have wander'd this wide world over,
Still Ireland's my home and a parent to me.
Then O, let the turf that my bosom shall cover
Be cut from the ground that is trod by the free.

And when Sergeant Death in his cold arms shall embrace me,
And lull me asleep with sweet 'Erin-go-Bragh',(Ireland Forever)
By the side of my Kathleen, my young wife, O place me,
Then forget Phelim Brady, the Bard of Armagh.

Видео John McCormack Gems (16) :The Bard of Armagh (Traditional Irish) : 1920 канала Michael McGrail