As I roved out (On a bright May morning) LYRICS - Niamh Parsons

A very well known Irish ballad. A young man rejects his true love and marries another woman because she has land. It’s a decision he will regret for the rest of his life.
Performed by Niamh Parsons

[@elklandry]

Britain was not at war with Spain in Europe or in the Americas under Queen Victoria (i.e., during the Irish famines). To find a Queen who could call home her armies "from the West Indies, Americay and Spain", you have to go back to Queen Anne and the period from 1702 to 1714. S Jones

[@sylvierogers]

wish the king would call home his armies

[@ariellegabriel]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written...

[@MrMusicguyma]

Niamh is one of my favorite singers, and this one has been one of my own favorites to sing, ever since I heard Planxty's (Andy Irivine's) version 40 some years ago. I believe that the great singer, Paddy Tunney, got this from his mother, Bridget (known as another great singer) and Paddy's recording brought it this elusive, lovely, sad song to wider prominence. Thanks, Maire, Niamh, Andy, Paddy and Bridget, and any of the unknown folk who composed it and those who cherished this song enough to pass it on. I salute you.

[@harmoniabalanza]

I have heard this interpreted as a song about the drafted soldiers forced to fight for the British Empire by Queen Victoria. She is "the lassie who held the land." Gorgeous version--lovely voice.

[@IexoPeoa]

This is what it sounded like to me, too. It didn't seem to make sense unless she was using marriage as a metaphor for his military service. Then, of course, when the Queen calls back her armies, he'd return to his true love.

[@sandramorey2529]

That's how I heard it 40 years as as well.

[@irishfield1]

This so beautiful ever Niamh so great singing ever great song ever thank you beautiful

[@skmrose]

I hope you keep posting these videos because I really enjoy listening to them. I'm currently trying to learn Irish, and the Song of the Sea is my favorite animated movie. So I really appreciate these videos. Thanks!

[@darwengwein3605]

I love that the song ends in the middle of a... bar? Verse? Forgive me, I never took music theory. The final note doesn’t resolve the way the rest of the verses do, I’m think I’m trying to say. The singer hopes to meet his lover again, and *that’s not the end of the story* according to the music. Even if it may be a baseless hope, he’s hopeful nonetheless.

[@ayyuh2200]

Beautiful movie Beautiful song

[@alisoncarlisle84]

If he wishes the Queen would call her soldiers home so that they could be reunited with their wives/lovers, and the Queen is the one who rules the land, might the Queen be the "lassie who held the land"? Could he be a soldier who has to leave his true love to go to war for the Queen, and wishes she would call the soldiers home so that he could stay with his love?

[@alisoncarlisle84]

On that note, might his true love be Ireland?

[@irishfield1]

This so gorgeous song ever Niamh exquisite ever on this she amazing ever so great singer ever adore thank you Niamh

[@irishfield1]

Amazing singing and song ever Niamh beautiful ever adore it ever thank you

[@RIDETHESUNSHINE]

“The heart of another is a dark forest, always, no matter how close it has been to one’s own.” Willa Cather . . . . Will

[@jacobsgranddaughter]

Beautiful!♥️

[@anniebiggs1217]

Great song love it !

[@colinturton4524]

Smashing image ... Cliiffs of Moher?

[@shwetaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Over Fathom's Deep bought me here

[@corujabiruta3732]

At first hearing it sounds like the guy is a jerk, leaving the one he loves and that loves him back for another woman that had the lands of her father to offer. but this is poetry, in reallity he is a proud man who choose to fight for country, and liberated her from him, because he knows if he die he has nothing to offer her but pain, so she is free to marry another and hate him, and he is free to serve and do his duty. in the end all they really want is for the war to end.

[@DodsworthOfMelbourne]

and 'instead if gold, 'tis brass I find' - brass buttons

[@deirbhilenibhrolchain7666]

❤

[@ayyuh2200]

Sidney the sailboat brought me here