"The Kerry Dance" is a sentimental Irish ballad composed in the late 19th century by James Lynam Molloy, with lyrics also penned by Molloy. Published around 1879, the song evokes nostalgia for rural Irish gatherings and celebrations that were disappearing during a time of significant cultural change and emigration. The...
Be Thou my Vision – Irish Song Lyrics
"Be Thou My Vision" is one of the most beloved and enduring Irish hymns, with roots dating back to ancient Celtic Christianity. The text originated as an Old Irish poem called "Rop tú mo Baile" (Be Thou my Vision), attributed to the 6th-century Irish Christian poet Dallán Forgaill, though some...
I’ll Tell My Ma – Irish Song Lyrics
"I'll Tell My Ma" is a traditional Irish children's street song that has been passed down through generations, with its origins likely dating back to the mid-19th century. Also known as "The Belle of Belfast City," this lively, upbeat tune began as a skipping and playground rhyme for young girls...
Black Velvet Band – Irish Song Lyrics
"The Black Velvet Band" is a traditional Irish ballad dating back to the 19th century that tells the cautionary tale of a young man led astray by a beautiful woman wearing a black velvet band in her hair. The song originated in Ireland but gained widespread popularity through oral tradition...
Green Grow the Lilacs – Irish Song Lyrics
"Green Grow the Lilacs" has a fascinating, somewhat misunderstood history. Though often considered an Irish folk song, it actually originated as an English or Scottish folk song that later spread to Ireland and America during periods of migration. The song gained significant popularity among American cowboys and settlers in the...