This story is about Moygara Castle, located a few kilometres north and east of Monasteraden, Sligo, Ireland. A tour in 2006 with my gracious cousin Colum Kelly left a mighty impression. In this song imagine a discussion just before the point of a siege. Caoimhe, a local woman, lives in the terror of the moment, fearing for her life and the lives of those in her community. An unnamed authority figure lives in the future with visions of victory and political appeasement. Neither get what they need.
A few definitions:
- Bawn, the wall surrounding a tower house or keep.
- Caoimhe, pronounced kee-va, meaning gentle or precious. It is the feminine version of the name Kevin.
- Cateran, a band of Scottish Highland marauders. It's difficult to determine their motivation though they are reported to be early cattle rustlers (called cattle lifters). The cateran in this song invaded Moygara in 1581, burning its buildings.
- Sheela na gig, the sculpted image of a fertile female often appearing on a castle's entrance keystone. It was said to deter death and evil - though I wonder if the opposite might be true in some way since the figure often appears to be welcoming new life. Perhaps the former meaning reflects male lore, the latter female.
- Coolavin, referring here to the ancient (pre-1581) Lords of Coolavin.
The song is dedicated to Mrs. Frances Kelly of Monasteraden - a great host, a wonderful woman and I'm proud to say, a relative.
And now the lyrics ...
lyrics
Dialogue 1:
It's late and I'm afraid
Sitting on this old man's grave
Surely he must've been brave
On the bawn of Moygara
Hush now Caoimhe, hold your tongue
There's so much that needs to be done
And I can see how our day will be won
Beyond the walls of Moygara
Dialogue 2:
While there's mission in your voice
I fight here not by choice
The cateran, they will rejoice
Laying siege to Moygara
Though we face a cattle lifter's fight,
Sheela na gig will exert her might
But you must vow to keep them in sight
Protect our world, Moygara
Dialogue 3:
Look in front, they arrive
And I wonder how we survive
Brothers, sisters, all who now thrive
To be undone at Moygara
Caoimhe, we will surely win
And be extolled by Coolavin
And our lord will live with a grin
Gazing 'or Moygara
Post-dialogue 4:
The winds they blew in from the west
To where Caoimhe did her best
But she and others were put to rest
Outside the walls of Moygara
The stones will rise through grassy turf
Beyond that moment and its dearth
But its future could not unearth
A life at Moygara.
credits
from Stories,
track released January 6, 2015
Vocals: Colleen Kelly and Michael C Kelly
Producer and Arranger: Dan Bedard soundsculpturessonores.com
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