Irish folk song
"Ar a Ghabháil Chun a Chuain Damh" (As I Went to the Harbour)[1] is anIrishfolk song. It is also known as "Béal Átha hAmhnais", which is the Irish name for the town ofBallyhaunis inCounty Mayo, Ireland.
The song has six verses and roughly follows commonstrophic form, although the melody of even-numbered verses differs slightly from the melody of odd-numbered verses. The song has a complex rhythmic structure with varying time signatures, and it has a vocal range of aminor tenth.
The song has been recorded several times by various artists. The following is an incomplete list of known recordings of the song.
- Aine Ni Ghallchobhair -Recording date unknown. Her recording contains vocals only. Original release byGael-Linn Records between 1957 and 1961.[2] Reissued in 1979 on a compilation albumNa Ceirníní 78 1957-1960,[3][4] and then in 2004 on another compilation albumSeoltaí Séidte-Setting Sail.[5][6]
- Na Filí -1972, asBéal Atha h-Amhnais. From their third albumNa Filí 3, released by Outlet in 1972 on vinyl, reissued in 1997 on CD.[7][8][9] Their version includeswhistle,fiddle andpipes accompaniment and interludes.
- Clannad -1980, spelledAr a Ghabhail 'n a 'Chuain Damh. Arguably the most famous recording of the song is the opening track on Clannad's 1980 albumCrann Úll. Their version includes a lengthyoutro/jam session containing both flute and guitar solos and a distinctive repeated riff played on aWurlitzer electric piano. A different version can be found on the live albumTuras (Live, 1980 Bremen),[10] where it forms a medley withAn Ghiobóg.
- Aoife -1991, spelledAr A Ghabhail 'n A Chuain Domh. Her version was released as the first track of her début albumLoinneog Cheoil, and it follows a harmonic structure similar to the Clannad version.
- Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill,Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill andDónal Lunny -1999, spelledAr a Ghabháil 'un a' Chuain Dom. Their version appeared on their 1999 albumIdir an Dá Sholas. It contains a repeat of the first verse at the end.[11][12]
