Isle Of Innisfree
Isle Of Innisfree Lyrics
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©Peter Maurice Music / EMI Music
I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer
When all the things he loves are far away.
And precious things are dreams onto an exile
Especially when it happens he's an exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.
And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
Of this great city wondrous tho' it be
I scarcely feel it's wonder or it's laughter
I'm once again back home in Innisfree.
I wander o'er green hills thro' dreamy valleys
And find a peace no other land could know
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered
On bended knees their rosary is told.
But dreams don't last
Tho' dreams are not forgotten
And soon I'm back to stern reality
But tho' they paved the footways here with gold dust
I still would choose the Isle of Innisfree.
For other information: seoltarecords@ireland.com
The song "Isle of Innisfree," written by Dick Farrelly, is a poignant reflection on homesickness and the power of dreams. The song's opening lines showcase the singer's self-awareness of being called a dreamer, while highlighting the inevitability of dreaming when what one loves is far away. The song's main theme is the yearning for home, specifically Innisfree, represented as a sanctuary rich with natural beauty and innocuous Irish country life. Even in moments where the singer is surrounded by the wonder and laughter of the "great city," he feels like an "exile." The song suggests that there are things in life we yearn for, things that are precious to us, that are never far from our thoughts and that quality of life may not be defined by materialism but by simplicity, purity, and peace of mind. Despite the harsh realities we may face in life, such as poverty, as expressed in "humble shack" where "rosary is told," dreams can still offer an escape to a better place, and in some cases, provide us hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer
There are people who consider me as an idealistic person
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say
I agree with their assessment of my personality
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer
It's natural for a person to have dreams
When all the things he loves are far away.
It's because the things I love are distant
And precious things are dreams onto an exile
To someone who is displaced, treasured things are just dreams
They take him o'er the land across the sea
Those dreams transport him over land and sea
Especially when it happens he's an exile
This is true especially when that person is in exile
From that dear lovely Isle of Innisfree.
Specifically, from that beloved and charming Isle of Innisfree.
And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops
When the moon's light shines through the rooftops
Of this great city wondrous tho' it be
In this great city, no matter how amazing it is
I scarcely feel it's wonder or it's laughter
I barely feel its wonder, or joy
I'm once again back home in Innisfree.
I've returned once again to my home in Innisfree.
I wander o'er green hills thro' dreamy valleys
I roam over green hills and through misty valleys
And find a peace no other land could know
I experience a peace that no other land can offer
I hear the birds make music fit for angels
I listen to birds that sing music that is heavenly
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And I watch as the rivers flow and gurgle with laughter
And then into a humble shack I wander
I then enter a modest shack
My dear old home, and tenderly behold
My beloved old home, which I look at affectionately
The folks I love around the turf fire gathered
The people whom I adore, gathered around the peat fire
On bended knees their rosary is told.
Who are on bended knees reciting the rosary.
But dreams don't last
However, dreams are fleeting
Tho' dreams are not forgotten
Though one does not forget one's dreams
And soon I'm back to stern reality
Soon after, I return to a harsh reality
But tho' they paved the footways here with gold dust
Even though the streets here are paved with gold dust
I still would choose the Isle of Innisfree.
I'd still decide on the Isle of Innisfree
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ruckizucki13
Lyrics :
I've met some folks who say that I'm a dreamer,
And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say,
But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer,
When all the things he loves are far away.
And precious things are dreams unto an exile.
They take him o'er the land across the sea
Especially when it happens he's an exile,
From that dear lovely Isle of Inisfree.
And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops,
Of this great city, wondrous though it be,
I scarcely feel its wonder or its laughter...
I'm once again back home in Inisfree.
I wander o'er green hills through dreamy valleys,
And find a peace no other land would know.
I hear the birds make music fit for angels,
And watch the rivers laughing as they flow.
And then into a humble shack I wander
My dear old home and tenderly behold,
The folks I love around the turf fire, gathered.
On bended knees, their rosary is told.
But dreams don't last
Though dreams are not forgotten
And soon I'm back to stern reality.
But though they pave the footways here with gold dust,
I still would choose my Isle of Inisfree.
@mpb21knows56
My mother sang this years ago so I played it for her and as she began to sing it brought tears to my eyes..... My mum is 80 now and still has an amazingly beautiful voice.
@danharte6645
My mum told me how she loved this song from a young girl.
I had it played at her funeral back in 2019 and I cry every time I hear it so give your mam a big hug and tell her how much she means to you
@pault4486
Thanks for my Celtic ancestry
@Earth_Mother
Orla's rendition of this lovely song is beautifully played and sang. Her voice is as heavenly as her harp-playing.
@Iceis_Phoenix
Oh so lovely. I remember watching this year's ago on public television. So calming. This is one of the best. Ora Fallon is delightful.
@lisaparks3678
What a beautiful song it makes me want to go to Ireland to innnifree.
@Iceis_Phoenix
@@lisaparks3678 Have you got you wish of visiting Ireland? 🌿 I am Irish. It would be an honour to visit the Emerald Isle.
@madeleinel6089
Brilliant voice, brilliant harpist, she has it all❣️
@annemariefleming
Every time I hear Orla sing this I find myself weeping. Wonderful song, wonderful voice!
@SynphamyMusic
Orla's voice is just incredible... simply... incredible. This music is amazing