Thom Moore lyrics and inspirations The Mayfly and the Stone (South Sligo Nocturne)

The Mayfly and the Stone (South Sligo Nocturne)

No, never fear, the trout's the king of leaping

when the rain is near: Lough Arrow's what I'm thinking of.

The corn-crake speaks, the vixen in the night-time

screaming: "Come, who seek – it's worse than I've been dreaming of."

Not where the talkers go: the Mayfly and the stone

are all the world enough for life to rise and fall.

And when it's rising, fish will bite and flesh will ripen;

and when it falls, it's the end of us, the end of all.

Midsummer night, the lake alive and breathing

in the northern light: Lough Arrow in a mist of love.

When manhood breaks, a woman's bound to be there

somewhere; man will ache – the curse that comes on reaching love.

Not where the talkers go: the Mayfly and the stone

are all the world enough for life to rise and fall.

And when it's rising, fish will bite and flesh will ripen;

and when it falls, it's the end of us, the end of all.

The boat so slim, two people on their knees

will fill the space within: Lough Arrow with the moon above.

Do what you should, a lifetime's there before you

with this girl who would – the earth below and stars above.

Not where the talkers go: the Mayfly and the stone

are all the world enough for life to rise and fall.

And when it's rising, fish will bite and flesh will ripen;

and when it falls, it's the end of us, the end of all.

words and music © 2005 Thom Moore

This was originally a slightly different song whose essence did not please those for whom it was written (they shall remain nameless) … so I re-set the lyrics in their most logical place, in honour of the late, great Sligo flute-player and songwriter, Josie McDermott, whose song Lough Arrow was one of the first to inform me, many years ago, that I was on the right track, as much as raising the hair on the back of my neck. Tell the truth, this version pleases me even more than the original … and it expresses lots of personal truths, as much as local ones … and even Gravesian ones. Clues abound with regard to where the tune was purloined from … all I will admit is that it is a typically beautiful Irish traditional tune.