Keane breathes new life into old song
People and Places
Michael Commins AN old song from back the years has been given new life by Caherlistrane singer Matt Keane. ‘The Lovely Sweet Woodlands of Ower’ was composed by John Henihan (pictured), a native of Knockdoe, who lived for many years in Tuam. He also spent happy days in Ower near Headford where he served his apprenticeship in a local carpentry shop, Tohers of Ower, who were cart makers back then.
As a young man, John was involved in the North Galway Brigade Old IRA. He composed the ‘Lament for Louis Darcy’ in 1922 after hearing of the capture and death of the young man from Clydagh.
John was later to spend a time as a woodwork teacher in Presentation College, Headford. He retained a special fondness all his life for the Ower area that straddles the Galway-Mayo border.
Ballycushion man Willie McHugh recalls the first time he heard the song being sung was in the dressing room at the Galway Sportsground after the Corrib team won the Connacht Junior Rugby Cup back in the mid 1990s.
“The team comprised in the main of GAA players who were with Shrule-Glencorrib, Headford and Caherlistrane. They defeated the Connemara All Blacks that day. The song was rendered with a lot of emotion that afternoon.”
It was also a party piece of John Joe Garvey from Boula, Ower, who died earlier this year. He used to sing it around the area down the years and helped keep it alive in local folklore. Matt Keane has dedicated the song to the memory of John Joe Garvey and the composer John Henihan on his new album with his daughter Orlaith, Pictures in Time.
The Lovely Sweet Woodlands of Ower
Farewell to the valley with the old Gaelic Alley
I’ll remember wherever I go
I’ll not forget forever the little Black River
That flows between Galway and Mayo.
Where the old Abbey stands and the little bridge spans
Those waters bright and clear
Where the lads they will dance and colleens shyly glance
Then who could be lonely hear.
But alas I must rove from the land I so love
God grant me the power to return once more
To the scenes I adore
In the lovely sweet woodlands of Ower.
I will never forget the lads I met
And the tricks they used to play
As the sun went down on Headford town
But alas I cannot stay.
Along Ower More I will ramble o’er
Those fields that I loved to cross.
With the Abbey in sight on a green little height
Stand the old grey ruins of Ross.
I’ll view the walls of its ancient halls
And I’ll climb its lonely tower
For a farewell view of the valleys through
The lovely sweet woodlands of Ower.
I would like to roam o’er the Claran road
When the sun is sinking down
And the Corrib I view with its ancient hue
On my way to Headford town.
The colleens deas on the road I pass
At the crossroads dances there
Until Father Conn he will call them on
With the evening bell to prayer.
Farewell once more to the Corrib’s shore
And to every fair found flower
That blooms among the old and young
In the lovely sweet woodlands of Ower.
I’ll remember the fun with the fife and drum
And the boys who beat the band
As they march and drill o’er valley and hill
In the struggle for Ireland
And if they die, let the green flag fly
Should freedom fail to smile
Their sons will come with another drum
To form the rank and file.
Then come along when you hear this song
For unity gives great power
With the help of God we’ll free each sod
Of the lovely sweet woodlands of Ower.
