SOUTH WIND - The air is taken from a song titled "A Ghaoith ó nDeas" (Oh Wind from the South). It was printed in Edward Buntings 1809 Collection of Irish Folk Music, as having been transcribed from the playing of a harper of County Clare in 1792. Lyrics were written in the 1700s by "Freckled Donal Macnamara" in homesickness for his homeland in County Mayo, as described in Donal O’Sullivan’s book, "Songs of the Irish." Recorded by Archie Fisher. Jean Redpath also recorded it. SheetMusic
South wind of the gentle rain,
you banish winter weather
Bring salmon to the pool again,
the bees among the heather
If northward now you mean to blow,
as you rustle soft above me
God speed be with you as you go
and a kiss for those that love me
From south I come with velvet breeze,
my word all nature blesses,
I melt the snow and strew the leaves
with flowers and warm caresses;
I'll help you to dispel your woes,
with joy I'll take your greeting
And bear it to your loved Mayo
upon my wings so fleeting.
Ny Connaught, famed for wine and play,
so leal, so gay, so loving
Here's my fond kiss I send today
borne on the wind in its roving.
Those Munster folk are good and kind,
right royally they treat me
But this land I'd gladly leave behind,
with your Connaught pipes to greet me.