The Rocky Western Bays
Words and Music by Tom May


The music lives and breathes in the rocks and heather of western Ireland - as well as in the heart and soul of her people. This is preceded by the Sean O'Riada air, "The Women of Ireland". (Originally released on the Vignette album. Coming Home (out of print) 1982)


Verse 1
Her eyes were from another age, a gypsy smile had she
The air was of a battle lost, near the Lake isle of Innisfree
The sadness of a thousand years, her flute did softly play
The hornpipes, the double jigs, from the rocky western bays

Chorus
The western bays of Ireland, where the language still is strange
Where the breezes rise up from the sea, to resist the winds of change
The barren beauty of her land, has kept its music clean
The lyrics of these voiceless tunes, say more than words can mean.

Verse 2
she asked me for the time of day, I asked her for her name
she answered me a quiet voice, she told me why she came
her scarf was wrapped around her neck, with the colors of the fall
the tunes that she played, they haunt me still, like a thrush’s lonely call

Chorus
The western bays of Ireland, where the language still is strange
Where the breezes rise up from the sea, to resist the winds of change
The barren beauty of her land, has kept its music clean
The lyrics of these voiceless tunes, say more than words can mean.

Verse 3
Now late at night, when I’m alone, and I hear the northern wind
Those airs came back into my head, and the room begins to spin
I hear see the sadness in her face, as her flute begins to play
The music of a thousand years, from the rocky western bays

Chorus
The western bays of Ireland, where the language still is strange
Where the breezes rise up from the sea, to resist the winds of change
The barren beauty of her land, has kept its music clean
The lyrics of these voiceless tunes, say more than words can mean.

©1983 Blue Vignette Publishing, ASCAP