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The Mountains Of Mourne Lyrics

Foster & Allen
Music Video

Oh, Mary, this London's a wonderful sight,
With the people here working by day and by night.
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley, nor wheat,
But there's gangs of them digging for gold in the street.
At least when I asked them that's what I was told,
So I just took a hand at this digging for gold,
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

I believe that when writing a wish you expressed
As to how the fine ladies in London were dressed,
Well if you'll believe me, when asked to a ball,
They don't wear no top to their dresses at all,
I've seen them myself and you could not in truth,
Say that if they were bound for a ball or a bath.
Don't be starting them fashions now Mary Macree,
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

[Verse omitted by the artists:] I've seen England's king from the top of a bus
And I've never known him, but he means to know us.
And tho' by the Saxon we once were oppressed,
Still I cheered, God forgive me, I cheered with the rest.
And now that he's visited Erin's green shore
We'll be much better friends than we've been heretofore
When we've got all we want, we're as quiet as can be
Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

Remember young Peter O'Loughlin, of course,
Well, he's over here now at the head of the force.
I met him today, I was crossing the Strand,
And he stopped all the traffic with one wave of his hand.
As we were talking of days that are gone,
The whole population of London looked on.
But for all those great powers he's wishful like me,
To be back where the dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea.

There's beautiful girls here, oh never you mind,
With beautiful shapes nature never designed,
And lovely complexions all roses and cream,
But O'Loughlin remarked with regard to the same:
That if of those roses you venture to sip,
The colours might all come away on your lip,
So I'll wait for the wild rose that's waiting for me
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.

Song Details

The Mountains Of Mourne
The Mourne Mountains

✍️ Lyricist: Percy French (1902)

🎶 Music: Adaptation by Houston Collisson from the Traditional Irish folk tune, Carrigdonn or Carrigdhoun

📝Song Brief: The song captures the voice of an Irish emigrant writing home from London. He describes the strange sights of the city — from fashion and theatre to the rush of modern life — all while comparing them to the simple, honest beauty of Ireland. His letter is filled with affection for home and a quiet yearning for the hills he left behind.

📖 Glossary:
  • Mourne Mountains — a granite mountain range in County Down, Northern Ireland, known for their sweeping slopes, and rugged beauty.
  • heretofore — an old‑fashioned term meaning until now or up to this point.

🍀 Genre: Irish Folk Song

👥 Covers: Don McLean, Celtic Thunder, Irish Mist, Charlie Landsborough, Jim McCann, Paddy Reilly, The Clancy Brothers, Southern Light, Brian Dullaghan, The Charmers, The Shamrock Singes, The Irish Tenors, The Celtic Tenors, Daniel O'Donnell, The Fureys & Davey Arthur.

🎤 Featured Artists: Foster & Allen

💿 Album: I Will Love You All Of My Life
Released: 1983
Country: Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Castle Music Records (CMR)

🎸 If you'd like to play this song on guitar, you can view the chord version on our sister site, Bell & Co Music.


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