Carolan's Lament. from the Irish
Carolan's Lament is a traditional Irish air composed by the blind harper Turlough O'Carolan in the early 18th century. The piece is characterized by its melancholic and mournful tone, reflecting the composer's personal struggles with illness and poverty. It has been performed and recorded by numerous musicians over the years and remains a beloved part of Irish musical heritage.
By George Borrow · First published 1843 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Romantic · 223 words
First lines
The arts of Greece, Rome and of Eirin's fair earth, / If at my sole command they this moment were all, / I'd give, though I'm fully aware of their worth, / Could they back from the dead my lost Mary recall.
I'm distrest every noon, now I sit down alone, / And at morn, now with me she arises no more: / With no woman alive after Thee would I wive, / Could I flocks and herds gain and of gold a bright store.
Awhile in green Eirin so pleasant I dwelt, / With her nobles I drank to whom music was dear; / Then left to myself, O how mournful I felt / At the close of my life, with no partner to cheer.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem expresses lamentation and mourning for a deceased loved one, characteristic of an elegy.
- Romantic — Themes of love and loss are central, focusing on the deep emotional connection with the deceased.
- Cultural — References to Greek, Roman, and Irish elements suggest a cultural exploration.
Tags
Irish literature · poetry · lament · folk culture · 19th century · melancholy · tradition · identity · emigration · loss · nostalgia · language
What this Textopian page supports
Carolan's Lament. from the Irish is listed on Textopian as a poem by George Borrow, dated 1843 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George Borrow
- Date: 1843 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Romantic, Cultural, Historical
- Length: 223 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Carolan's Lament. from the Irish by George Borrow
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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