- Curragh Of Kildare

A song common to both Irish and Scottish ballad traditions, it has been taken down at different times by collectors. These lyrics have been published to different airs since 18th century. A popular version

collected by Robert Burns bares the title The Winter It Is Past. The Curragh is situated in the heart of Kildare and is a plain of five thousand acres.

Track 4 of The Wild Bird's Nest (2006)

Winter has passed
And the summer's come at last
The small birds sing on every green tree
And though their hearts are glad
Mine is ever sad
Since my true love is far away from me

And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it's there I'll finds tidings of my dear

Oh, the rose among the briar
By the clear running stream
Brings beauty to the linnet and the bee
And while there hearts are blessed
Mine can never rest
Since my true love is far away from me

And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it's there I'll finds tidings of my dear

All you who are in love
And cannot it remove
I pity the pain that you endure
For experience lets me know
Your hearts are filled with woe
And an aching that no mortal can cure

And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it's there I'll finds tidings of my dear
And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it's there I'll finds tidings of my dear

Winter has passed
And the summer's come at last
The small birds sing on every green tree

Traditional, arranged by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN)