The Barley And The Rye (Song)

The late Bobby Mitchell of Derry is the source of this song. He was a regular visitor to Gaoth Dobhair where Mairéad first heard and collected this version.

A witty song of the escapades of a rampaging young wife, a rake, and a farmer whose priorities are skewed in that he worries more about the state of his harvest than his mischievous young wife and lover, rollicking in his fields of barley and rye!

The song was also recorded by the great Martin Carthy and by his late wife, Norma Waterson. It was collected by E.J. Moran in 1927 from the singing of Harry Cox of Norfolk, England.

Trad., arr Altan: Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh/Ciarán Curran/Dáithí Sproule/Mark Kelly/Martin Tourish/Clare Friel and published by Compass Rights Management (SESAC/IMRO/MCPSI/MCPS)/Martin Tourish Music (IMRO/MCPS)/IMRO/MCPS