Emigrants Letter Lyrics And Chords
Emigrant's Letter or sometimes called ''Cutting The Corn At Creeslough Today''. Words and music by Irish songwriter Percy French. It's been said that while Percy French was on board a ship heading for either Canada or America he over heard a conversation where a young man was trying to write a letter back home explaining his feelings of how he missed his girlfriend. This is where Percy got most of his ideas for his songs - by listening to gossip and conversations. I have never heard the last verse of the song recorded by anyone as it touches on the subject of murdering two lads who also fancy the same girl ''Don't kill Patsey outright, he has no sort of chance But Mickey's a rogue, you might murder at once '' . Now I know where the term ''Murder Ballads'' comes from. It was recorded by Daniel O'Donnell, Peggy Sweeney and Bridie Gallagher to name a few. Some people use the name ''Cutting The Corn At Creeslough Today''. The youtube video is by Paddy Reilly. The most heart breaking ballad I ever heard about emigration was Lough Sheelin Side Song , but there's being plenty more of them, and all sad in their own way.
Lyrics And Chords For The Emigrant's Letter In C Major
[C]Dear Danny, I'm taking the pen in my hand,
To[F] tell you we're[C] just out of sight of the[G] land,
In the[C] grand Allen liner I'm sailing in style,
But I'm[F] sailing a[C]way from the[G] Emerald[C] Isle.
And a long[Em] sort of sigh seemed to come from us[aM] all
When the[D] waves hit the last bit of[Am] auld Done[G]gal,
Ah, it's[C] well to be you that is taking your tay (tea),
Where' they're[F] cutting the[C] corn in[G] Creeslough to[C]day.
There's a woman on board who knows Katie by sight,
And we talked of auld times 'til they put out the light.
I'm to meet the good woman tomorrow on deck,
And we'll talk about Katie from here to Quebec,
I know I'm no match for her, no not the least
With her house and two cows, and her brother a priest.
But the woman declares Katie's heart's on the say (sea),
While mine's with the reaper's in Creeslough today.
Ah, goodbye to you Danny, no more's to be said,
And I think the salt water's got into my head,
For it drips from my eyes when I call to my mind
The friends and the colleagues I'm leaving behind.
But still she might wait. When I bade her goodbye
There was just the least trace of a tear in her eye,
And a brake in her voice when she said,"You might stay,
But, please God you'll return to auld Creeslough, some day."
I spoke to the captain, he won't turn her round
And if I swam back, I'd be apt to be drowned
So here I must stay, oh I've no cause to fret
The dinner was what you might call a banquet
But though it was "sumpchus", I'd swop the whole lot
For the ould wooden spoon and the stir-about pot
And sweet Katey Farrell awettin' the tae
Where they're cuttin' the corn in Creeshla the day
If Katey is courted by Patsey or Mick
Put a word in for me, with a lump of a stick
Don't kill Patsey outright, he has no sort of chance
But Mickey's a rogue, you might murder at once
For Katey might think as the longer she waits
A boy in the hand is worth two in the States
And she'll promise to honor, to love and obey
Some robber that's roamin' round Creeshla the day
[C]Dear Danny, I'm taking the pen in my hand,
To[F] tell you we're[C] just out of sight of the[G] land,
In the[C] grand Allen liner I'm sailing in style,
But I'm[F] sailing a[C]way from the[G] Emerald[C] Isle.
And a long[Em] sort of sigh seemed to come from us[aM] all
When the[D] waves hit the last bit of[Am] auld Done[G]gal,
Ah, it's[C] well to be you that is taking your tay (tea),
Where' they're[F] cutting the[C] corn in[G] Creeslough to[C]day.
There's a woman on board who knows Katie by sight,
And we talked of auld times 'til they put out the light.
I'm to meet the good woman tomorrow on deck,
And we'll talk about Katie from here to Quebec,
I know I'm no match for her, no not the least
With her house and two cows, and her brother a priest.
But the woman declares Katie's heart's on the say (sea),
While mine's with the reaper's in Creeslough today.
Ah, goodbye to you Danny, no more's to be said,
And I think the salt water's got into my head,
For it drips from my eyes when I call to my mind
The friends and the colleagues I'm leaving behind.
But still she might wait. When I bade her goodbye
There was just the least trace of a tear in her eye,
And a brake in her voice when she said,"You might stay,
But, please God you'll return to auld Creeslough, some day."
I spoke to the captain, he won't turn her round
And if I swam back, I'd be apt to be drowned
So here I must stay, oh I've no cause to fret
The dinner was what you might call a banquet
But though it was "sumpchus", I'd swop the whole lot
For the ould wooden spoon and the stir-about pot
And sweet Katey Farrell awettin' the tae
Where they're cuttin' the corn in Creeshla the day
If Katey is courted by Patsey or Mick
Put a word in for me, with a lump of a stick
Don't kill Patsey outright, he has no sort of chance
But Mickey's a rogue, you might murder at once
For Katey might think as the longer she waits
A boy in the hand is worth two in the States
And she'll promise to honor, to love and obey
Some robber that's roamin' round Creeshla the day
Emigrants Letter guitar chords in the key of G.
[G]Dear Danny, I'm taking the pen in my hand,
To[C] tell you we're[G] just out of sight of the[D] land,
In the[G] grand Allen liner I'm sailing in style,
But I'm[C] sailing a[G]way from the[D] Emerald[G] Isle.
And a long[Bm] sort of sigh seemed to come from us[Em] all
When the[A] waves hit the last bit of[Em] auld Done[D]gal,
Ah, it's[G] well to be you that is taking your tay ,
Where' they're[C] cutting the[G] corn in[D] Creeslough to[G]day.
[G]Dear Danny, I'm taking the pen in my hand,
To[C] tell you we're[G] just out of sight of the[D] land,
In the[G] grand Allen liner I'm sailing in style,
But I'm[C] sailing a[G]way from the[D] Emerald[G] Isle.
And a long[Bm] sort of sigh seemed to come from us[Em] all
When the[A] waves hit the last bit of[Em] auld Done[D]gal,
Ah, it's[G] well to be you that is taking your tay ,
Where' they're[C] cutting the[G] corn in[D] Creeslough to[G]day.
Below is the list of sheet music and tin whistle songs that are in my ebooks. This is the largest collection of tin whistle songs ever put together.[over 900 songs ] Including folk, pop and trad tunes plus German And French songs along with Christmas Carols.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
An Emigrant's Letter Sheet Music Tin Whistle Notes Included.
All of the sheet music tabs have been made as easy to play as was possible.
The price of the ebooks is €7.50
An Emigrant's Letter Sheet Music Tin Whistle Notes Included.
An Irish Emigrants Letter Home
Dear Mother,
It has been many months since I left our beloved Ireland for the promise of a better life in America. I still remember the tearful farewell we shared at the port, your eyes filled with worry and pride as you bid me farewell.
I must admit, the journey has been tough. The cramped conditions on the ship were unbearable at times, and the constant rocking of the waves made me sick for days. But now, as I stand on the bustling streets of New York, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and hope for the future.
The city is like nothing I have ever seen before. The tall buildings and endless crowds are a stark contrast to the quiet countryside of our home. Everywhere I turn, I hear a multitude of languages and see people from all corners of the world. It is a melting pot of cultures, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
I have found work as a maid in a wealthy household, and although the hours are long and the work is hard, I am grateful for the opportunity. The family I work for has been kind to me, and I am treated with respect and dignity, something I was not accustomed to back in Ireland.
But despite the new opportunities and experiences, my heart still aches for our homeland. I miss the rolling green hills, the smell of fresh rain, and the warmth of our community. I often think of you and the rest of the family, and I hope that you are all well.
I have heard news from some of our fellow emigrants, and it seems that many have faced hardships and struggles in their new lives. Some have fallen ill, while others have struggled to find work. It breaks my heart to hear of their struggles, but I am determined to make the most of my new life and send back whatever I can to support our family.
Please know that I am safe and well, and I am making a life for myself in this new land. I hope that one day, we can all be reunited and share in the opportunities and freedoms that America has to offer.
Until then, know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to write to you and keep you updated on my journey.
With love,
Your daughter, Mary.
Dear Mother,
It has been many months since I left our beloved Ireland for the promise of a better life in America. I still remember the tearful farewell we shared at the port, your eyes filled with worry and pride as you bid me farewell.
I must admit, the journey has been tough. The cramped conditions on the ship were unbearable at times, and the constant rocking of the waves made me sick for days. But now, as I stand on the bustling streets of New York, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and hope for the future.
The city is like nothing I have ever seen before. The tall buildings and endless crowds are a stark contrast to the quiet countryside of our home. Everywhere I turn, I hear a multitude of languages and see people from all corners of the world. It is a melting pot of cultures, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
I have found work as a maid in a wealthy household, and although the hours are long and the work is hard, I am grateful for the opportunity. The family I work for has been kind to me, and I am treated with respect and dignity, something I was not accustomed to back in Ireland.
But despite the new opportunities and experiences, my heart still aches for our homeland. I miss the rolling green hills, the smell of fresh rain, and the warmth of our community. I often think of you and the rest of the family, and I hope that you are all well.
I have heard news from some of our fellow emigrants, and it seems that many have faced hardships and struggles in their new lives. Some have fallen ill, while others have struggled to find work. It breaks my heart to hear of their struggles, but I am determined to make the most of my new life and send back whatever I can to support our family.
Please know that I am safe and well, and I am making a life for myself in this new land. I hope that one day, we can all be reunited and share in the opportunities and freedoms that America has to offer.
Until then, know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to write to you and keep you updated on my journey.
With love,
Your daughter, Mary.
