"SEALSONG ON RATHLIN ISLAND" by Niamh O'Brien Rhiannon
On a Summer’s Eve on Rathlin Island
Walking down by the shore
There was a strange stilly moment
Filled with Wild Sea-Lore
A fisherman went casting nets on a still Summer’s day
A floating girl swimming by was curious to see
What man he might be…
The nets were full, he dragged them in and saw a lock of hair…
Two eyes bright in the sea light, he fell in love with her.
“Come with me and be my wife, leave the sea behind.”
And dripping wet she lay with him, a baby there to find.
Years passed by and in the fisherman’s eye all was bright and fair
But the woman’s hair had darkened and her face hollowed in despair..
“I need the Sea!” she sang to him, “the Waves upon my Skin.”
But he had hidden her very Self, Her Soul, he kept with him.
And Time fell round and some they say a change they had seen
Upon the bright and happy girl who now was gaunt and lean.
(Spoken) “One night ,her child had a dream, he ran to the mountainside
There his Mother called his name and he dreamt she cried:”
“Find My Treasure! My Seal, My Skin, he has hidden it from me…
Bring it, child, my own sweet boy, I’ll Swim into the Sea…..”
The boy he went and found Her Pelt. All wrapped in fisher’s net
He ran to her and clung against her Skin, so soft and wet…
Then they both ran, into the Waves and dived down out of sight…
Two Seals, on Rathlin Island seen upon that Summer’s Night.
Many a traveller who has walked along the shore since then
Say they hear two Seals A Singing and see them Swim again….
credits
from HEARTSONG OF THE PHOENIX,
released May 29, 2012
NIamh O Brien Rhiannon All Vocals & Harmony Vocals and Vocal FX, Dolphin, Whale, Seal sounds.
Martin Murphy Acoustic, Electric, Bass Guitars, Programming, additional production
Eithne NI Chathain Fiddle
Produced by Niamh O Brien Rhiannon
Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024
A gorgeous journey through a kaleidoscopic array of sonic approaches melted together that feels old and new at the same time. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 5, 2024
The haunting new record from Canadian folk artist Avi C. Engel bridges old and new traditions with a minimalist approach. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 24, 2024