The South Wind (An Ghaoth Aneas)

Music: Traditional
Lyric: Donal MacConmara

I first heard The South Wind on Archie Fisher's pivotal folk album "The Man with a Rhyme". His notes simply say that it was composed by Donal Meirgeach MacConmara, a native of Irrul, County Mayo and published in O'Sullivan's "Songs of the Irish" (Crown, New York, 1960). To me it has the sound and feel of an O'Carolan composition though there is no record that I can find of it being his. It's a very peaceful tune whether sung or played as an instrumental.

South wind of the gentle breeze, you banish winter weather
Bring salmon to the pools again, the bees among the heather
If northward now you mean to blow, as you rustle soft above me
Godspeed be with you as you go
With a kiss for those who love me

From south I come with velvet breeze, my word all nature blesses
I melt the snow and I strew the leaves, with flowers and soft caresses
I'll help you to dispel you woes, with joy I'll take your greeting
And bear it to your loved Mayo
Upon my wings so fleeting

My Connaught famed for wine and play; so gay, so loyal, so loving
Here's my fond wish I send today, borne on the wind in it's roving
These Munster folk they are good and kind, right royally they treat me
But this land I gladly leave behind
For your Connaught pipes to greet me