Here are the traditional lyrics to "Dragons In Her Hair!"

I have found that you must keep a sense of humor in all times of stress.
This helps keep you sane. [Although some have said that I have a somewhat warped sense of humor. . . Hmmm...) .....KAROL

The Lyrics . . . To Grace Gifford from Joe Plunket, the poet, the following verse of a poem he wrote to her. The song that follows was written to commemorate the fact that he married his fiance, Grace, "4 hours" before he was executed for his participation in the GPO uprising. It was a beautiful way to show how much he loved her by not only giving her his name but a position in society at a time when it was extremely difficult for women.............................

OH GRACE :
.......The Verse:
The joy of Spring leaps from your eyes,
The strength of dragons in your hair,
ln your young soul we still surprise
The secret wisdom flowing there;
But never word shall speak or sing
Inadequate music where above
Your burning heart now spreads its wings
In the wild beauty of your Love.

........The Song:
As we gather in the chapel here in Old Kilmainham Jail
I think about these past few days, oh will they say we've failed
From our schooldays they have told us we must yearn for liberty
Yet all I want in this dark place is to have you here wlth me

Chorus:
Oh Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger
They'll take me out at dawn and I will die
With all my love I place this wedding ring upon your finger
There won't be time to share our love for we must say goodbye

Now I know it's hard for you my love to ever understand
the love I bear for these brave men, my love for this dear land
But when Padhraic called me to his side down in the GPO
I had to leave my own sick bed, to him I had to go

Chorus

Now as the dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too
On this May morn as I walk out, my thoughts will be of you
& I'll write some words upon the wall so everyone will know
I love so much that I could see his blood upon the rose.

Chorus

 

Ireland and Scotland are riddled with castles. This one was also the site used for a movie called "High Spirits". You can relate to this women who prays for her baby to grow up safely............................

THE CASTLE OF DROMORE:
The October winds lament around the castle of Dromore
Yet peace is in its lofty halls, my loving treasure store
Though Autumn leaves may droop and die
A bud of spring are you

Sing hush a bye, lu, lo, lu, lo lan Sing hush a by, lu, lo, loo

Bring no ill wind to hinder us, my helpless babe and me
Dread spirit of the Blackwater, Clan Eoin's wild banshee
And Holy Mary pitying us, In heaven for grace doth sue,

Sing hush a bye, lu, lo, lu, lo lan Sing hush a by, lu, lo, loo

Take time to thrive, my ray of hope, in the garden of Dromore
Take heed young eaglet till thy wings are feathered fit to soar
A little rest and then the world is full of work to do,

Sing hush a bye, lu, lo, lu, lo lan Sing hush a by, lu, lo, loo.

 

Mothers have long needed fortitude to watch their children go off into the world much less off to war...........................

IRISH SOLDIER BOY:
At a cottage door one wintry night as the snow lay on the ground
a youthful Irish soldier to the mountain sea is bound
His mother stood beside him saying, You'll win my boy don't fear
with loving arms around his waist she tied his bandolier

Goodbye, God bless you Mother dear, I hope your heart don't pain
but pray to God your soldier boy, you soon will see again
and when I'm in the firing line, twill be a source of joy
to know that you're the Mother proud of an Irish Soldier Boy

When the fighting it was over and the flag of truce was raised
the leaders ordered the fire to cease , all Ireland stood amazed
his comrades came to her cottage door with the note from her pride & joy
containing the news in sad detail of her Irish Soldier Boy

Goodbye, Farewell, My Mother dear - I'm dying a death so grand
from wounds received in action trying to free my native land
but I hope we'll meet in heaven above in a land beyond the sky
You'll always be in company with your Irish Soldier Boy

A long farewell to Donnegal, Killkenny & Mayo
Tipperary, Derry & Tyrone where the bushes green do grow
and when at night you'll kneel to pray, twill be a source of joy
to know that you're remembering your Irish soldier Boy.
Yes, to know that you're remembering your Irish soldier Boy.

 

You must have experienced yourself a time or two the presence of
the wee people, right!!! ....................................

THE WEE FOLK: (© Sean Slattery/Shamrocks In The Wind)
Deep in the forest under a tree, There they dwell where not a soul can see
Hush & listen to their song Wee folk dance the whole night long
And as they dance they sing diddely dee

Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dee, Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dee
Hush & listen to their song, Wee folk dance the whole night long
as they dance they sing didely dee

Little feet danc'n' round the tree, Little folk as happy as can be
Arm & arm - heel & toe, Round in a circle & away they go
Danc'n' to the music of the bumblebee

Arm & arm - heel & toe Round in a circle & away they go
Danc'n' to the music of the bumblebee

Little hammer tappin'n on a shoe, Little hand brush'n' on the glue
Tap tap here - tap tap there, Little shoes for them to wear
All night long you'll hear that tap tap too

Tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tee, Tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tic tee
Tap tap here - tap tap there, Little shoes for them to wear
All night long you'll hear that tap tap too

Deep in the forest under a tree, Wee folk play'n hide from you & me
Quick as a wink behind a stump, Down in the hollow they slide with a thump
Listen and you'll hear didely dum

Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dum, Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dum
Quick as a wink behind a stump, Down in the hollow they slide with a thump
Listen and you'll hear didely dum

Deep in the forest under a tree, There they dwell where not a soul can see
Hush & listen to their song, Wee folk dance the whole night long
And as they dance they sing diddely dee

Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dee, Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dee
Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dee, Dee dee dee dee dee dee didely dee.

 

Passing on the songs to the next generation is an important part of history even if you don't like parts of that history....................................

WHAT IRELAND MEANS TO ME:
Come all you lads and lassies and sit you down with me
I'll tell to you the truth about a land that's dear to me
You've read it in the papers and you've seen it on TV
I'll spell it out to you - what Ireland means to me

Chorus:
I is for Internment of the innocent and free
R is for Resistance to the laws of tyranny
E in for the English who have torn our land apart
L is for the Love of freedom in every Irish heart
A is for the Answer we're all looking for
N is for one Nation and an end to this long war
D is for the Dreams of millions longing to be free.
That's how I spell Ireland, that's what Ireland means to me

This land was once respected for it's saints & scholars too,
today the bomb and bullet - it's all that makes the news...
I know that's it's confusing and it's hard to understand,
so I will make it clear to you by spelling Ireland..

Chorus

 

There are always metaphors in celtic lyrics. This young lady has lost her virginity to a love that will never return.....................

YE BANKS AND BRAES:

Ye banks and braes O' bonnie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair;
How can ye chant ye little birds,
And I sae weary, full o' care!

Ye'll break my heart, ye warbling bird,
That wanton's thro' the flowering thorn:
Thou minds me o' departed joys,
Departed, never to return.

Oft have I rov'd by bonnie Doon,
To see the rose and woodbine twine;
And Ilka bird sang O' its Luv,
And fondly sae did I O' mine.
Wi' lightsome heart I pulled a rose,
Full sweet upon its thorny tree;
And my false Luv he stole my rose,
But, ah! he left the thorn wi' me.
But, ah! he left the thorn wi' me.

 

Thousands of men, women and children died along the roadside with no food, medicine or proper clothing at Skibbereen. This young boy learns of the horrible actions that caused his mothers death. I had a hard time recording this song and still cannot bring myself to sing it in performance without tears..................

SKIBBEREEN:
Oh father dear I oft times hear you talk of Erin's Isle
Her lofty scenes and valleys green, Her mountains rude and wild
they say it is a pretty place, wherein a prince might dwell
Oh why did you abandon it - the reason to me tell

Oh son, I loved my native land with energy and pride
till a blight came over all my crops, my sheep and cattle died
the rent and taxes were so high I could not them redeem
and that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen

Oh it's well I do remember that bleak December day
the landlord & the sheriff came to drive us all away
they set my roof on fire with their demon yellow spleen
and that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen

Your Mother too, God rest her soul fell on the snowy ground
she fainted in her anguish seeing the desolation round
she never rose but passed away from life to mortal dream
she found a quiet grave, my boy, in dear old Skibbereen

And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame
I could not leave you with your friends, you bore your fathers name
I wrapped you in my coat and more in the dead of night unseen
I heaved a sigh and said goodbye to dear old Skibbereen.

 

Several of the people who inspired this song are still alive so I must take "the fifth amendment". Dragons In Her Hair was recorded as a result of an abusive situation...........................................

DRAGONS IN HER HAIR - THE POEM:
© Copyright 1990 Shamrocks In The Wind (Karol Diehnel)

Dragons... Dragons In Her Hair......

The walls around me now are safe and secure,
a gentle peace is in the air.
Night falls swiftly now - but with no fear,
atop the castle walls dragons watch far and near....

Dragons-- Dragons In Her Hair...

They protect me now - my little ones as well,
safe to live without the demon's spell.
Under his control all was suffering, fear and pain,
Now my bonds are free - safe to love again.....

Dragons--Dragons In Her Hair......

Dragonkind shall always be my friend,
Watching, watching, till my soul is on the mend,
Help me see and know the way is clear,
to live and love and raise my family without fear.....

Dragons--Dragons In Her Hair......

So when the demon's evil ways keep you from living life,
Let the dragon's help "you" and keep you from the knife.
Believe in the dragons with all your mind and heart,
and you too will be able to make a brand new start.....

Dragons--Dragons In Her Hair........
Dragons--Dragons In Her Hair.

 

Sometimes a good book, a funny story, or a humorous diddy is just what we need to get our minds off our problems.....................

THE REEL IN THE FLICKERING LIGHT: ( Here's a bit of fun!)
As I was walking home one even'n I know this takes some believ'n
I met a group of creatures with the strangest looking features
A poor old dog and a worm and a weed And a fine old pigeon, yes indeed
A daddy longlegs jumped up sprightly And danced to the reel in the flicker'n light

Chorus
Oh round we go, heel to the toe Then the Daddy longlegs jumped up sprightly
And danced to the reel in the flicker'n light (Repeat two lines of each verse.)

On his thin and whispy spindles, He was deft and he was nimble
His eyes were scientific and his dancin was terrific,
And the rats and the worms they made a din,
And the nettles in the corner took it in
"Oh God," says I, "tonight's the night
We'll dance to the reel in the flicker'n light."

Chorus

Then he looked at me directly With a gaze that could dissect me
And he asked me in a whisper "Have you got any sisters?"
"Good God Almighty," says I to him "What sort of a man do you think I am?
I've only one, she's not your type. She wouldn't dance a reel in the flicker'n light."

Chorus

Say's he, "Does she come from another planet?
Does she have a bee in her bonnet?
Does she do her daily duties? You never know, we might be suited."
And the rats and the worms began to laugh, And some of them started shuffl'n off.
We're going to have some fun tonight,
Getting ready for the reel in the flicker'n light

Chorus

I could see he had no scruples When I looked into his pupils.
They were purple or magenta Like a statue during lent.
I said "I'll get her right away." "Good man," sez he, "Now don't delay."
We're going to have some fun tonight."
Then he flicked his legs in the flicker'n' light.

Chorus

Then up stepped a red carnation And they gave her an ovation
She was warm and enchant'n As she slowly started danc'n
And the bright old pigeon peeled his eye
and the nettles and the weeds began to sigh
Daddy Longlegs said "My, oh my,
Are we ready for the reel in the flicker'n' light?

Chorus

She was gentle, she was charm'n' and I heard him call her darl'n
He was graceful as a whisper, on his delicate legs of silver
And the rats and the worms were still as mice,
And the poor old pigeon said "That's nice."
A shimmer'n' veil on a lovely bride
And they danced to the reel in the flicker'n light.

Chorus

 

As far back as we have written history women have been left to take care of the fields, flock and family while the men went off to war. Dealing with loneliness is nothing new to celtic women.....................

THE BANTRY GIRLS LAMENT:
Oh, who will plough the fields now, and who will sow the corn?
Oh who will wash the sheep now and keep them neatly shorn?
The stack that's in the haggard, unthrashed it may remain
Since Johnny went a-thrash'n all in the wars of Spain.

CHORUS
Johnny, lovely Johnny, he's sailing or'e the main
He's along with other patriots to fight the king of Spain

And the girls from the borough in sorrow may retire
The piper with his bellows - go home and blow the fire
At fairs and hurling matches your likes we'll seldom see
Till you come home again to us, a stor'n gaal ma cree

CHORUS

And if cruel fate will not permit our Johnny to return
His heavy loss we Bantry girls will never cease to mourn
We'll resign ourselves to our sad lot, and die in grief and pain,
Johnny died for freedoms sake in the foreign lands of Spain.

CHORUS / CHORUS

 

Many times sailors made promises that they didn't intend to keepÐ But once in a while there is a happy ending - that's why I love this song with the sailor and his doubtful lady exchanging verses.....................

A LADY FAIR:
There was a lady in her fathers garden a brisk young sailor came passing by
he stood a while and he gazed upon her and he said young lady won't you marry I

I'm not a lady, but a poor wee girl and a poor wee girl by a low degree
therefore young man you may try some other for a servant girl I'm not fit to be

Oh, I have houses and great big living and plenty money for to set you free
If you'll come home I'll make you my own and you'll have servants to wait on thee

It's seven years since I had a sweetheart and seven more since I didn't see
seven years I will wait upon him for if he's alive he'll come home to me

Oh,It's seven years since you had a sweetheart
and seven more since you didn't see,
seven more you will wait upon him perhaps this young man you might never see

Oh if he's sick I wish him better or if he's dead I wish him rest
But if he's alive I will wait upon him for he's the young man that I love best

He put his hand into his pockets his lily white fingers being thin and small
and up between them he pulls a gold ring and when she saw it - she down did fal

He lift her up into his arms and gave her kisses quite tenderly
sayin I'm your young and your single sailor
and now at last I've come home to thee

Oh,I am your true and single sailor you thought was drowned all in the sea
but I've passed over all my toil and trouble and I've come home love to wed with thee

Oh, come all you fair and tender maidens
don't slight your sailors wilst they're at sea
when they come home they'll make you there own
and they'll bring you o're to your wedding day

 

In this next original song, the lyrics were mostly written by Sean Slattery, whose mother was thrown into Kilmanhem prison and tortured. Using her inner strength she faced tremendous fear. After her release she fled Ireland. She returned to her homeland at the age of 80! ...I rewrote some of the lyrics to fit the nature of the CD, then composed the instrumentals to try and capture the anguish and perseverance and hopefully give her the respect she deserved........

 

WARRIOR WOMAN: © Copyright 1990 Shamrocks In The Wind (Karol Diehnel)

If ever a song could be played on my heart strings.
Along with the words with the haunting refrain,
A melody mournful, yet gently inviting,
I hear the sweet music --- again and again.

CHORUS
Peggy come home, Peggy come home,
Ireland is calling, Peggy come home.
Why do you linger so far from home?
Peggy come home, now. Peggy come home.

It's well I remember, we'd sit in the kitchen.
The old songs of Ireland, my God, she could sing.
And shed a soft tear as she dreamed of her childhood.
The stories she'd tell me, fond memories bring.

Peggy come home, Peggy come home
There's cows to be milked, girl, and fields to be sown.
On the fields over Bantry, walking bare foot alone.
Just a slip of a maiden, Peggy come home.

Now the years in Kilmainham had not marred her beauty.
The look of defiance, in clear eyes so bold.
Just barely a young girl, who fought for her country,
Thrown into a dungeon so dreary and cold.

What kind of a people cannot be defeated?
What manner of mortal shall never succumb?
The children of "Wild Geese" are thriving in exile
Where one falls a thousand will rise to come home.

We'll rise to come home. We'll rise to come home
Where one falls a thousand will rise to come home

A warrior woman returns to her homeland.
Her mission accomplished through the seed she has sown.
No prison can hold her, no empire detain her
'Cause Peggy's found freedom, Peggy's come home.

Peggy's come home, Peggy's come home
Can you hear the wind whisper, Peggy's come home?
No prison can hold her, no empire detain her
'Cause Peggy's found freedom, Peggy's come home.

Have you not seen her while walking the Boreen?
Her hair long and flowing, her head high and proud.
The spirit of Ireland is walking the byways
Unconquered, undaunted, and singing aloud.

Peggy's come home, Peggy's come home.
Like a frail leaf in autumn with hair white as foam.
On the hills over Bantry, walking barefoot alone,
Just a slip of a maiden, Peggy's come home.

Peggy's come home, Oh, Peggy's come home.
Oh, hear the wind whisper, "Our Warrior's come home".

 

There is always hope for the future. In my life, after years of dealing with emotional, sexual and physical abuse, I was fortunate to find a friend and partner who's name just happens to be John . So this happens to be a lively favorite of mine.

DUMBARTON'S DRUMS: (The term DRUMS refers to the bass bells in the tower at Dumbarton Castle, {Dumbarton, Scotland} which peal out over the water when they ring).....

Chorus:
Dumbarton's Drums, they sound so Bonnie
When they remind me of my Johhny
Such fond delight can steal upon me
When Johhny kneels and sings to me.....

Across the fields of bloomin heather
Dumbarton tones the hour of pleasure
A song o' love that has no measure
When Johnny kneels and sings to me.

Chorus:
Dumbarton's Drums, they sound so Bonnie
When they remind me of my Johhny
Such fond delight can steal upon me
When Johhny kneels and sings to me.....

It's he alone, who doth delight me
His rov'n eye it doth excite me
And when his tender arms enfold me
The blackest night, can turn and flee.

Chorus
Dumbarton's Drums, they sound so Bonnie
When they remind me of my Johhny
Such fond delight can steal upon me,
When Johhny kneels and sings to me.....
When Johhny kneels and sings to me....
When Johhny kneels...... and kisses me!

Shamrocks In The Wind ™ © Copyright 1990