Irish Tradition : "Anach Cuan" sung by Dolly MacMahon

Sorry about the scratchy recording, which comes from the LP "Mo Cheol Thú". I thought it was better quality this this. According to the September 6, 1828 edition of the "Galway Advertiser" the tragedy when, "an old row boat", in a rotten and leaky condition, started from Annaghdown early on Thursday morning, September 4, a distance from Galway up Lough Corrib, of about eight miles, having, it is calculated, about thirty one persons on board, who were coming to the fair of Fairhill. The boat and passengers proceeded without obstruction until they arrived opposite Bushypark, within two miles of the town, when she suddenly went down and all on board perished except twelve persons who were fortunately rescued from their perilous situation by another boat. If my health is spared I'll be long relating, Of the boat that sailed out from Anach Cuan, And the keening after of mother and father, Woman and child by the harbor, the mournful croon; Oh King of Graces, who died to save us, It was a small affair for but one or two, But a boat-load bravely on a calm day sailing, Without storm or rain to be swept to doom. What wild despair was on all the faces To see them there in the light of day In every place there was lamentation And tearing of hair as the wreck was shared; And boys there lying when crops were ripening From the strength of life, they were borne to clay In their wedding clothes for their wake they robed them Oh King of Glory, man's hope is vain. May burning mountains come tumbling down, On that place of drowning may curses fall, For many's the soul it has filled with mourning, And left without hope of a bright day's dawn. The cause of their fate was no fault of sailing, It was the boat that failed them the 'Caisleán Nua,' And left me to make with a heart that's breaking, This lamentation for Anach Cuan.