Saturday 19 January 2013
Tune of the Day: The Dawning of the Day
Traditional Irish air
This air, one of a supposed seven or eight hundred, is reputed to have been composed by Thomas Connellan, a 17th-century harper from County Sligo, Ireland who spent considerable time in Scotland.
An Irish-language song, named “Fáinne Geal an Lae” (“The bright ring of the day”), was published in 1847 and later translated into English as “The Dawning of the Day”. The melody was also used by Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh for his poem, "On Raglan Road", which has been performed by a number of notable artists, including The Dubliners, Sinéad O'Connor, Luke Kelly and Mark Knopfler.
This air is often played as a march and is one of the first tunes that a student of Irish music will learn.
Thanks to Dan for suggesting this tune!