Son of a Jazz trumpeter Craig was introduced early to Swing music. His uncle played in a Skiffle band, his grandparents had performed in theater and vaudeville on one side and on the other were self taught musicians and folk singers.
In the early days Craig Herbertson played in experimental bands including the Scottish New Wave band 'The Androids' reviewed in NME with air play on BBC Radio 1.
Later he rediscovered his folk roots, playing with a variety of bands including 'The Keltix whose songs were featured on BBC radio and television.
Craig picked up experience busking in Europe and America, from the Paris Metro to Riverboats on the Mississippi, during which time he learned fiddle, mandolin, banjo, penny whistle and piano.
In 2004 he hit number 20 in the BBC Indie charts with 'Hearts of Glory'
In 2011 Craig was awarded second prize in the category “Best Folk Rock Singer” of the 'Deutscher Rock & Pop Preis'.
As well as music he is also a critically acclaimed fantasy and horror author.
Old Erin's Daughter
Craig Herbertson Lyrics
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From St John's waters, it's a long, long haul
The grass grows greener when we are small
But it still greener in Donegal
And it's tooraly, tooraly, tooraly ay
I'm bound on ship for America
I'm never coming back till I don't know when
And I will wander fields I recall
From the paths at Ballantrae to Iregal
I'll drink to memory she'll buy then all
And then she'll leave me in Donegal
And in the morning from bed I'll crawl
My dreams are running to their golden halls
A lark is singing, it's a mournfall call
She's singing sweeter in Donegal
The song "Old Erin's Daughter" by Craig Herbertson is a poignant tribute to Ireland, the singer's homeland, and the melancholy that comes with leaving it. The song is from the perspective of a person who is leaving Ireland for America, and the lyrics reflect the sadness, longing, and nostalgia that this character feels. The opening lines of the song, "Old Erin's daughter, miss you and all/from St John's waters, it's a long, long haul," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer is headed to a new life, but they are acutely aware of what they are leaving behind.
The chorus of the song, "And it's tooraly, tooraly, tooraly ay/I'm bound on ship for America/I'm never coming back till I don't know when/And if I do I'll be back again" reflects the sadness of leaving behind a place that you love, but also the hope of someday returning. Throughout the rest of the song, the singer reminisces about various fields and paths in Ireland that hold special meaning for them. The imagery of the lark singing a "mournfall call" in Donegal at the end of the song underlines the sense of loss and longing that pervades the entire song.
Overall, "Old Erin's Daughter" is a beautiful and moving tribute to Ireland, with language that captures the sadness and melancholy that can accompany leaving a place you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Old Erin's daughter, Miss you and all
Addressing the singer's connection and longing for the people and land of Ireland
From St John's waters, it's a long, long haul
Acknowledging the distance between the singer and Ireland, as the Atlantic ocean lies between them
The grass grows greener when we are small
Reflecting on the idealization of childhood and how the past can appear better than the present
But it still greener in Donegal
Suggesting that even in the present, the grass is still greener in Donegal, Ireland
And it's tooraly, tooraly, tooraly ay
A traditional Irish chorus expressing a sense of mournful joy
I'm bound on ship for America
Stating that the singer is leaving Ireland for America
I'm never coming back till I don't know when
Admitting that the singer is uncertain when or if they will return to Ireland
And if I do I'll be back again
Emphasizing the power of the connection to Ireland and the likelihood of returning
And I will wander fields I recall
Describing the artist's plan to revisit familiar places in Ireland upon returning
From the paths at Ballantrae to Iregal
Specifically naming two places that the artist will revisit in Ireland
I'll drink to memory she'll buy then all
Referencing the tradition of buying drinks in memory of absent friends and loved ones
And then she'll leave me in Donegal
Acknowledging that although the artist will visit Ireland, they will eventually have to leave again
And in the morning from bed I'll crawl
Depicting the singer's longing for Ireland even in their dreams and upon waking in the morning
My dreams are running to their golden halls
Describing the singer's dreams of returning to Ireland's revered and historic places
A lark is singing, it's a mournfall call
Symbolically using a mourning lark's song to evoke the sense of sadness that accompanies thoughts of leaving Ireland
She's singing sweeter in Donegal
Reiterating the sentiment that Ireland, specifically Donegal, is an especially beloved place to the artist
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.