Teddy O'Neill - Traditional

A traditional Irish song written around 1840 and most likely comes from the North of Ireland.  The lyrics in the first verse suggest it's all a dream but by the third verse, it's an apparent reality for Nora, as her true love leaves on a ship. 

I first learned this song from a dulcimer tablature book.

Waltzing with the Dulcimer

By Tull Glazener
http://www.tullglazener.com/BK002-Waltzing_Tull-Glazener.htm

 

Teddy O'Neill, simple melody notation

Mudcat.org lyrics and simple melody in musical notation

 

My PDF SONG SHEETS, downloadable:

 Teddy O'Neill SONG SHEET (lyrics, chords, fingerpicking)

Teddy O'Neill SONG SHEET (lyrics and chords)

 

Videos

Dolores Keane on YouTube

a deeply sung version of Teddy O'Neill

 

Teddy O'Neill - Janene Millen YouTube Video

 

 

If you wish to learn the instrumental of the song, for dulcimer, I recommend Tull's book "Waltzing with the Dulcimer"

 

Lyrics

I dreamt all last night  O bad cess* to my dreaming!
I'd die if I thought 'twould come surely to pass.
I dreamt while the tears down my pillow were streaming
That Teddy was courting another fair lass.
And didn't I wake with a weeping and wailing;
The grief in my heart was too deep to conceal.
My mother cried, "Nora, dear, what is your ailing?"
But all I could answer was Teddy O'Neill."
I've seen the old cabin beyond the wee boreen*;
I've seen the old crossroads where we used to dance.
I've rambled the lane where he called me his storeen*
And my girlish heart felt the thrill of romance.
But now all around me is so sad and so dreary,
All dark and all silent -- no piper, no reel.
Not even the sun through my casement shines cheery
Since I left my darling boy Teddy O'Neill.
Shall I ever forget when the big ship was ready
And the time it was come for my love to depart?
How I cried like a child, "Oh goodbye to you, Teddy,"
With a tear on my cheek and a stone in my heart.
He said 'twas far better his fate he went roving,
But what would be gold to the joy I would feel
If he'd only come back to me, tender and loving,
Though poor, but my own darling Teddy O'Neill
(cess=luck, in this case bad luck)
(stor = treasure; storeen is diminuative) (boreen = small country lane)