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Instruction, Information & Inspiration for Players of Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass & Fiddle | Mar. 19, 2010

Shoot for the Stars with
this Lovely Irish Ballad

“Star of the County Down” is an Irish ballad set near Banbridge in County Down in Northern Ireland. The tune is a pentatonic melody that sometimes goes under the title “Dives and Lazarus.” This popular folk tune was the basis for Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus" for Harp and String Orchestra, commissioned for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. The tune was also arranged by Vaughan Williams as the hymn “Kingsfold,” sometimes known as “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” or “I Heard the Voice of Jesus.”

Lyrically, the original folk song—with words by Cathal Garvey (1866–1927)—is from the point of view of a young man who chances to meet a charming lady by the name of Rosie McCann, referred to as the “star of the County Down.” From a brief encounter the narrator’s infatuation grows until, by the end of the ballad, he imagines marrying the girl. The melody is sentimental and can be thought of as romantic.

I discovered this tune about 20 years ago. I was especially drawn to how the melody interacts with the chords. There’s one spot where the melody moves on, but the chord lingers behind, and I’ve always found this pure magic. There are a precious few pieces, gems really, like Bach’s “Air on the G String,” that I never tire of playing. This is one of those.

By Irene Sazer

Excerpted from the Strings Charts edition Star of the County Down and After the Battle of Aughrim: Traditional Celtic Tunes for String Quartet

If you like the sound of “Star of the County Down,” you’re sure to enjoy playing “After the Battle of Aughrim,” a beautiful account of the last great defeat of the native Gaelic army in Ireland. It offers a real tug on the heart. Easy for students to play, this tune’s yearning tonality reflects the sobriety of the war and subsequent loss that inspired this piece. Both these beautiful pieces are included in our latest edition of Strings Charts. Order Star of the County Down and After the Battle of Aughrim: Traditional Celtic Tunes for String Quartet today.

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