A regular feature on traditional songs of County Wexford. This week: Carrig Rua
JOHN FURLONG wrote this song in 1985 and his entry into the Fleadh with it won him the All-Ireland medal that year. Carrig Rua (pronounced Corrig-roo) is a hill bound by the parishes of Boolavogue, Ferns and Monamolin/Kilmuckridge.
The song has proved popular among traditional singers in Fleadheanna and has earned All-Ireland medals for four different singers over the years. It is a favourite of 14-year-old Cormac Cooper from Poulpeasty who competed with this song in the 2017 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in the age 12-15 traditional singing in English category. You can hear Cormac singing it on the Songs of Wexford Facebook page.
Carrig Rua Words: John Furlong Air: Traditional
You may sing your fine songs and stories tell, Of places and scenes that you all know well, But I tell you now of this hill I do know,
It’s called Carrig Rua where the wild flowers grow.
It is often I have walked it and looked all ‘round, At places where history is still to be found.
I look towards the west and I see Ferns town, Where the old church and abbey in ruins fall down.
I look in amazement at MacMurrough’s domain,
With his castle still standing where his blood once did stain, As I look down on The Harrow where brave men did abide, It was there that the yeomen in ‘98 died.
From sweet Carrig Rua I see Vinegar Hill,
And places where our heroes their blood once did spill, While trying to free Ireland from the grasp of the foes, They were sadly outnumbered and lost to the yeos.
I can see Boolavogue and the bold Shelmalier, Where Father John Murphy with his life once paid dear, Where Oliver Cromwell his forces did band,
For they murdered and plundered and ravished our land.
And now as I sit here on this hill for to rest,
I can hear the small birds sing in the trees as they nest. Such a peace and contentment is now to be found, May those men who achieved it in heaven be crowned.
There is an alternative piece of verse on the same subject which refers to the story that the shape of the hill was made by a giant sitting down on it, leaving the shape of his arse. This was remembered by Jane Fortune, Ballygarrett.
On Carrigrua, Near Ballycanew, A giant took a stroll.
He tripped on a tree, Banged his knee, And landed on his hole.
Both song and verse are due to be sung and recited at an upcoming event to take place at the end of the summer. With support for the Heritage Council and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns I’ve devised two songs tours of the Kilmuckridge area.
The tours will take place over two Sunday afternoons with participants visiting a range of locations linked with local traditional songs, from old graveyards to beaches, with performances of local songs from a variety of singers. The first is on Sunday August 26 from 1pm to 4pm and is presented as part of Heritage Week with the second one happening on Sunday September 9. Perhaps you’ll join us.
For now, I’m taking a break from writing but hope to take it up again as an autumn or winter pursuit. Thank you for your interest in the column and have a lovely summer.
Aileen Lambert is a traditional singer from Ballindaggin. She works with various communities on a range of song collecting, composing and performing projects and delivers workshops in Primary Schools as part of the Heritage-in-Schools Scheme. If you have further information on a subject or song featuring in this column, or a song or verse/recitation you’d like to share with Aileen, please contact her on aileenlambert@gmail.com or 087 7552593.