Spancil Hill
Journey of Love and Nostalgia: Spancil Hill's Irish Tale
Lyrics
One night as I lay dreaming
Reflecting on a dream where the narrator recalls pleasant memories.
Of pleasant days gone by
Nostalgia for enjoyable times in the past.
My mind was bent on rambling
Expressing a desire to wander or travel, with thoughts focused on Ireland.
To Ireland I did fly
The narrator dreams of flying to Ireland.
I stepped on a vision and
Stepped on a vision, possibly a metaphor for embarking on a journey guided by inspiration.
I followed with the wind
Following the wind, suggesting a natural and unguided journey.
When at last I came to anchor
Reaching a destination, "Spancil Hill," symbolizing arrival or grounding.
At the cross of Spancill Hill
At the cross of Spancil Hill, a specific location with cultural or personal significance.
Then on the 23rd of June
Referring to a date, the 23rd of June.
The day before the fair
The day before a fair, setting the scene for events to come.
When Ireland's sons and daughters
People of Ireland gathering, including sons, daughters, and friends.
And friends aembled there
Assembly for a fair, emphasizing community and togetherness.
The young, the old
Various individuals, both young and old, participating.
The brave and the bold came
Reference to bravery and boldness among the gathering.
Their duty to fulfill
Fulfilling a duty, possibly related to the fair.
At the Parish Church in Clooney
Location at the Parish Church in Clooney, close to Spancil Hill.
A mile from Spancill Hill
A mile from Spancil Hill, specifying distance and connection.
I went to see my neighbours
Visiting neighbors to inquire about their thoughts.
To hear what they might say
Interested in the opinions of the community.
The old ones were all dead and gone
Observing the passage of time through the absence of older individuals.
And the young ones turning grey
Youth aging, suggesting the inevitable passage of time.
I met the tailor Quigley
Encountering Mr. Quigley, a tailor with enduring boldness.
He's as bold as ever still
Quigley's unchanged boldness over time.
Sure he used to make my britches
Recalling when Quigley made the narrator's britches in Spancil Hill.
When I lived in Spancil Hill
Connecting with the past through a familiar figure.
I paid a flying visit to
A brief visit to the narrator's first and only love.
My first and only love
Describing the beloved as fair and gentle.
She's as fair as any lily
The narrator's first and only love.
And gentle as a dove
Expressing affection and a reunion with the beloved.
She threw her arms around
A warm embrace from the farmer's daughter.
Me, saying "Johnny, i love you still"
Confirmation of love from the farmer's daughter, despite time passing.
Ah she's Ned, the farmer's daughter
Identifying the beloved as Ned, the farmer's daughter, and the pride of Spancil Hill.
The pride of Spancil Hill
Affirmation of the beloved's significance in the community.
I dreamt I held and kissed her
Recurring dreams of holding and kissing the beloved.
As in the days of yore
Nostalgia for past moments of intimacy.
"Oh Johnny you're only joking
A playful response from the beloved, suggesting familiarity with jests.
As many's the time before"
Reminding the narrator of previous jokes, indicating a shared history.
The c he crew in the morning
The crowing of a rooster in the morning.
He crew both loud and shrill
The sound of the rooster awakening the narrator from the dream.
When I woke in California
Realization of waking up in California, far from Spancil Hill.
Many miles from Spancil Hill
Physical distance from the nostalgic dream setting.
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