Skibbereen

from In The Old Style by Ginger Ackley

/

about

“Skibbereen” tells the tale of a family who once lived in a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is actually the southernmost town in all of Ireland. The name is translated roughly as “Little Boat Harbor” and is often shortened to just “Skibb.” Back before 1600, it belonged to the Tribe McCarthy. During the terrible time of the Great Famine (1845-1852) it is estimated that between 8,000 – 10,000 died of starvation and were buried in a mass grave at Abbeystrewery. The song tells of a son who asks his father why they left Ireland and relates the story of how the famine and the English destroyed their farm and life in Skibbereen. At the end, the son swears to return and take vengeance for what was lost. Liam Neeson sings the song in the movie “Michael Collins” and Sinead O'Conner sings it in the PBS mini-series “The Long Journey Home.”

lyrics

O, Father dear, I’ve oft times heard you talk of Erin's Isle,
Her valleys green, her lofty scene, her mountains rude and wild;
You said it was a pleasant place wherein a prince might dwell,
Why have you then forsaken her, the reasons to me tell

My son, I loved our native land with energy and pride
Until a blight fell on the land and the sheep and cattle died,
The rents and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem,
And that's the cruel reason why I left Old Skibbereen.

It's well I do remember on a bleak November's day,
The landlord and his agent came to drive us all away;
He set my house on fire with his demon yellow spleen
And that's another reason why I left Old Skibbereen.

Your mother, too, God rest her soul, lay on the snowy ground,
She fainted in her anguish of the desolation round.
She never rose, but went her way from life to death's long dream,
And found a quiet grave, my boy, in lovely Skibbereen.

It's well I do remember the year of forty eight,
When we arose with Erin's boys to fight against our fate;
I was hunted through the mountains as a traitor to the Queen,
And that's another reason that I left Old Skibbereen.

Oh father dear, the day will come when vengeance loud will call
And we'll arise with Erin's boys and rally one and all,
I'll be tbe man to lead the van, beneath our flag of green,
And loud and high we'll raise the cry, Revenge for Skibbereen!

credits

from In The Old Style, released March 1, 2012

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ginger Ackley image

Ginger Ackley Cleveland, Ohio

Starting out in Texas, Ginger made it to Ohio as quickly as she could! Her music is full of magic and stories, seasoned with a love of folk and Celtic music. Her penny whistles often accompany her, too!

contact / help

Contact Ginger Ackley

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Ginger Ackley recommends:

If you like Ginger Ackley, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now