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The Sound of Iona

from Over the Main by Dorain

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about

Iain learned this song while living for a short time on the island of Iona, where he heard two women singing it at a fireside ceilidh, hoping to pass it along to younger people connected to the island. It dates back to the 1950s, before people crossed the Sound to Iona in the current Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, but instead traveled by small red boats. It was written by Reginald "Reg" Barret-Ayres. Judith and Bernadette, the women Iain learned the song from, shared memories of their excitement as teenagers seeing the strapping sailors hopping ashore from the boats, and singing this song in the old youth camps on the island. Since learning it, Iain has returned to Iona and taught it to dozens more people, who sang it together as they boarded the ferry back home at the end of their time on the island.

lyrics

I can see the white spray flying
over the Sound of Iona
I can hear the seagulls crying
over the Sound of Iona
Sail away, sail away
over the Sound of Iona

I can see the breakers prancing
over the Sound of Iona
I can see the red boats dancing
over the Sound of Iona
Sail away, sail away
over the Sound of Iona

Oh if I could stay forever
near to the Sound of Iona
I would leave you never, never
lovely Sound of Iona
Sail away, sail away
over the Sound of Iona

credits

from Over the Main, released January 28, 2017
Music and lyrics by Reginald Barrett -Ayres (1920-1981)

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Dorain Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dòrain is a folk quartet based in the Twin Cities, playing both Scottish and Irish traditional music. They perform songs in English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig), frequently incorporating complex vocal harmonies, and mix in a hearty dose of energetic dance tunes. ... more

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