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Isle of Innisfree

Music

Isle of Innisfree


Verse I:
I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.
And precious things are dreams onto an exile
They take him o'er the land across the sea
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.

Bridge I:
And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
Of this great city wondrous tho' it be
I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter
I'm once again back home in Innisfree.





Verse II:
I wander o'er green hills thro' dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered
On bended knees their rosary is told.

Bridge II:
But dreams don't last, tho' dreams are not forgotten
And soon I'm back to stern reality
But tho' they paved the footways here with gold dust
I still would choose the Isle of Innisfree.

Refrain:
I still would choose the Isle of Innisfree.

Isle Of Inisfree



The Lake Isle of Innisfree was made very famous by William Butler Yeats when he wrote a poem about it. It's a very small island, which is situated on Lough Gill in County Sligo. Lough Gill itself is about 8km long and 2km wide.

The Innisfree in this song however refers to Ireland as a whole, rather than just the Isle of Innisfree. It was written by Irish Composer and Songwriter Dick Farrelly (1916 - 1990). The melody and lyrics express the longing of an Irish emigrant for his native land. It was the main theme of the film "The Quiet Man". It became a worldwide hit for Bing Crosby in 1952.

'The Isle of Innisfree'
Theme music of the film, 'The Quiet Man'
Words & Music by Dick Farrelly


Copyright Karl Ó Broin | karlobroin@gmail.com

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