Lyrics filter

April 7, 2018 8:47 AM

Can someone help me with the lyrics of this song? It's an Irish folk song. I'm listening to it in the car (not right now), and would love to know what they're talking about!

I recorded my favorite folk group a few months ago, described lovingly here, and I've figured out every song but this one. And I literally can't understand one word they're saying. He even announces the title at the beginning, and I can't understand it. I can't even figure out enough of a fragment to google anything. I don't know if it's the recording or my ears, but I am the kind of person who likes having subtitles of movies turned on.

Apologies if this is some totally obvious song that everyone knows! Thanks so much.

posted by Melismata to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Best answer: It’s Star of the County Down, link here.
posted by corey flood at 8:53 AM on April 7, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Star of the County Down is a pretty popular song, and you should be able to find versions with clearer lyrics. The narrator is describing a pretty woman with brown hair.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 8:53 AM on April 7, 2018 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Haha, I would NEVER have guessed that!

Six minutes. Love you guys!!!
posted by Melismata at 8:56 AM on April 7, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Damn it.. got lost listening to versions of it.. so of course people answered it before me..yep it is definitely Star of the County Down
posted by foleypt at 9:19 AM on April 7, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: There's a really nice song written by Dominic Behan called 'Crooked Jack" with the same air but sung much slower.
posted by night_train at 9:56 AM on April 7, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: As others said, it's Star of the County Down. Check out the version Van Morrison recorded with the Chieftans.
posted by KazamaSmokers at 3:18 PM on April 7, 2018 [2 favorites]