Bonny Portmore
Divers / Loreena McKennitt Lyrics
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Such a woeful destruction of your ornament tree
For it stood on your shore for many's the long day
Till the long boats from Antrim came to float it away.
O bonny Portmore, you shine where you stand
And the more I think on you the more I think long
If I had you now as I had once before
All the birds in the forest they bitterly weep
Saying, "Where will we shelter or shall we sleep?"
For the Oak and the Ash, they are all cutten down
And the walls of bonny Portmore are all down to the ground.
O bonny Portmore, you shine where you stand
And the more I think on you the more I think long
If I had you now as I had once before
All the Lords of Old England would not purchase Portmore.
In the song "Bonny Portmore" by Loreena McKennitt, the singer is expressing sadness and regret over the destruction of the beautiful ornament tree that stood on the shore of Portmore. The tree had been there for many years, but was eventually taken away by long boats from Antrim. The singer mourns the loss of the tree and laments the destruction of the walls of Portmore.
The entire song is a metaphor for the destruction of nature and the environment by people for their own selfish gain. The "ornament tree" represents the natural beauty that once existed in Portmore, but was taken away for the benefit of others. The sadness of the birds in the forest who have lost their shelter and home echoes the same feeling of loss that the singer feels. The destruction of Portmore serves as a warning of the irreversible damage that can be caused by human actions and the need to preserve nature for future generations.
Overall, "Bonny Portmore" is a powerful song that highlights the importance of conservation and the responsibility of humans to protect the environment. It is a haunting reminder of the consequences of neglect and greed and the need for action to preserve our world.
Line by Line Meaning
O bonny Portmore, I am sorry to see
I feel sorrowful to witness the destruction happening to you, O beautiful Portmore.
Such a woeful destruction of your ornament tree
It's heartbreaking to see your decorative tree being destroyed so ruthlessly.
For it stood on your shore for many's the long day
That tree had stood by your shore for many years, for a long time.
Till the long boats from Antrim came to float it away.
However, those long boats from Antrim came and took the tree away by floating it on the water.
All the birds in the forest they bitterly weep
The birds dwelling in the nearby forest are sorrowful and are crying with a heavy heart.
Saying, "Where will we shelter or shall we sleep?"
They are lamenting about the loss of their shelter and wondering where they will now rest or seek refuge.
For the Oak and the Ash, they are all cutten down
The Oak and the Ash trees, which provided cover and shelter to the birds, have been chopped down completely.
And the walls of bonny Portmore are all down to the ground.
In addition to the trees, your protective wall has also crumbled to the ground and is of no use any longer.
O bonny Portmore, you shine where you stand
You still manage to glow beautifully, O Portmore, despite all the damage and chaos around you.
And the more I think on you the more I think long
The more I reflect on you, O Portmore, the more I yearn for you.
If I had you now as I had once before
If only I could have you, O Portmore, like I did before.
All the lords in Old England would not purchase Portmore.
Your worth is immeasurable, O Portmore, it is beyond what all the lords in England could offer to buy you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: - DP, CARSTEN HEUSMANN, JAN-ERIC KOHRS, MICHAEL SOLTAU, FRANK PETERSON
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