Location: Carlow county
The poet adopts the persona of a Galwayman in exile, reflecting on his native place and, especially, his mother who waits in vain for his return home.
Nancy Sheil supplied this song, written by John O'Reilly from near Arklow, County Wicklow, about a lovestruck young man who had to leave his love to earn his fortune before returning to marry her.
The second version is sung by the author, John…
Although the river Slaney is more associated with Wexford, the river and its tributaries flow through east Carlow also.
This is from the collection of Seamus Murphy.