Galway bay, the Irish emigrant song

Sceala Philosopher Location: NYC

If you ever go
across the sea to Ireland,
then maybe at the
closing of your day,
you will sit and watch
the moon rise over Cladagh
and see the sun
go down on Galway Bay.
Starts the famous song of Loch Lurgain or Cuan na Gaillimhe and Galway bay in English.

Galway Bay is a large sea loch on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the district of Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway is located on the north-east side of the bay. It is about 30 miles long and from 7 to 20 miles in breadth. The Oileain Arann - the Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay. The approaches to the bay between the Aran Islands and the mainland are as follows. the North Sound - An Sunda o Thuaidh lies between Aranmore and Leitir Meallain, County Galway it was formerly known as Bealach Locha Lurgan in Irish. Gregory's Sound - Sunda Ghrioghora lies between Aranmore and Inishmaan it was formerly known as Bealach na h-Aite. Foul Sound - An SUnda Salach lies between Inishmaan and Inisheer it was formerly known as Bealach na Fearbhaighe. South Sound - An Sunda o Theas formerly known as Bealach na Finnise lies between Inisheer and County Clare.
Galway Bay is famous for seafood, oysters and the traditional sailing craft, the Galway Hooker. And of course two songs of the same name. Galway bay. One a 1946 nostalgic stage tune made famous by Bing Crosby and this other chosen, a somewhat less known but far older version of Galway bay. written at the end of the 19th century, to a much older Irish air. Galway bay as sung here by Dolores Keane. (thank you Finn for the song information and suggestion)

GALWAY BAY
It's far away I am today
From scenes I roamed a boy
And long ago the hour, I know
I first saw Illinois
But Time not Tide, not waters wide,
Can wean my heart away
For ever true it flies to you
My own dear Galway Bay

A prouder man I'd walk the lad
In health and peace of mind,
If I might toil and strive and moil,
Nor cast one thought behind;
But what would be the world to me,
Its rank and rich array,
If memory I lost of thee,
My poor old Galway Bay.

Oh, grey and bleak, by shore and creek,
The rugged rocks abound,
But sweeter green the grass between
Than grows on Irish ground.
So friendship fond, all wealth beyond,
And love that lives alway,
Bless each poor home beside your foam,
My dear old Galway Bay.

Had I youth's blood and hopeful mood
And heart of fire once more,

For all the gold the earth might hold,
I'd never quit your shore;
I'd live content whate'er God sent,
With neighbours old and grey,
And lay my bones 'neath churchyard stones,
Beside you, Galway Bay.

The blessing of a poor old man
Be with you night and day,
The blessings of a lonely man
Whose heart will soon be clay.
'Tis all the Heaven I'd ask of God
Upon my dying day -
My soul to soar for evermore
Above you, Galway Bay.

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Galway bay, the Irish emigrant song

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