Sweet Carnlough Bay Lyrics
The Wolfe TonesMusic Video
Sweet Carnlough Bay
When winter was brawling, o'er high hills and mountains
And dark were the clouds o'er the deep rolling sea
I spied a wee lass as the daylight was dawning
She was asking the road to sweet Carnlough Bay
Said I, my wee lassie, I canna weel teIl ye
The number of miles or how far it may be
But if you'll consent I'll convoy you a wee bit
And I'll show you the road to sweet Carnlough Bay
You turn to the right and pass down by the churchyard
Cross over the river and down by the sea;
We'll call at Pat Hamill's and have a wee drop there
Just to help us along to sweet Carnlough Bay
Here's a health to Pat Hamill likewise the wee lassie
And every young laddie that's listening to me
And ne'er turn your back on a bonnie wee lassie
When she's asking the road to sweet Carnlough Bay
Song Details
🎶 Songwriter: Richard McKay (1800-1897)
☘ Irish Version: Sweet Carnlough Bay.
🏴 Scottish Version: The Road to Dundee, The Road and the Miles to Dundee
📝 Song Brief: The song tells of a man who meets a young woman on a cold, windy night as she asks for directions to Carnlough Bay. He offers to guide her, and the pair share a brief but memorable journey — stopping for a drink, exchanging conversation, and enjoying each other’s company.
Though they part ways and never meet again, he remembers her fondly and warns other young men who will listen, never to turn away a “wee lassie” when she asks for help.
The following is a comment made by Mary McKay - a direct ancestor of Richard McKay. She was a guest at Mudcat.Org where there was a discussion in relation to the author of the song:I know who the Poet McKay is. He was Richard McKay born Armagh 1800 and died in Blairgowrie Scotland in 1897. He was a direct ancestor of mine. According to my family he also wrote The Road and the Miles to Dundee the Scottish version of Sweet Carnlough Bay. We were also given to believe he also wrote Come All Ye Tramps And Hawker Lads and others. He was a hawker himself as were most of my ancestors at that time.📖 Glossary:
- Carnlough Bay — A coastal village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, known for its harbour, limestone cliffs, and scenic shoreline.
- canna — A Scots/Ulster‑Scots form of cannot.
- weel — A Scots/Ulster‑Scots form of well.
- Pat Hamill's — A local pub mentioned in the song. The establishment still exists, though it now operates under a different name.
- hawker — A travelling seller who moves from place to place offering goods, often calling door‑to‑door or setting up temporary stalls.
🍀 Genre: Irish Folk Song, Traditional Irish Song
👥 Covers: Paddy Reilly, Finbar and Eddie Furey, Wolfhound, Battlefield Band, Julee Glaub, Martha Clancy, The Paul McKenna Band, Jenny Martin, Madman's Window, Roy Bailey
🎤 Featured Artists: The Wolfe Tones
💿 Album: Rifles Of The IRA
Released: 1970
Country: Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Dolphin Records
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