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about

An old harbour master settles his Port – and his young employee’s questing mind – for the night. Drogheda was a major exporter of live cattle, and Michael Holohan’s interviews with local, already elderly residents, sailors and dockworkers for his A River of Memories project contain vivid accounts of the sleeping Port at night, the lowing of the cattle, the dying of the light.

lyrics

The scudding sky
The whistling wind
The smoke curls in the air
The sun is down
The cattle low
The water’s calm, the weather’s fair

It’s quiet all
Along the quay
The boys are in their bunks
The steamers settle
On the tide
The lines are tied, the anchors sunk

Mare’s tails and mackerel scales
All our ships will wear short sails
Tomorrow we have work to do
Some of it long overdue

So go home, son
It’s time to sleep
Leave tomorrow to its cares
Wash your face
And kiss your Mam
Watch your draft and say your prayers

credits

from Old Ghosts In The Water, released July 1, 2022
Written by SJ McArdle

SJ – vocal, acoustic guitar
Trevor – double bass
Graham – dulcitone, piano, bowed mandola, tape piano

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about

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SJ McArdle Drogheda, Ireland

SJ McArdle is an Irish songwriter and musician who has toured internationally, had several songs in movies and has released four solo albums.

He is known in part for his former work with Kern and with Long Woman's Grave with Nuala Kennedy & Trevor Hutchinson.

“Bravo for an artist who has taken contemporary Irish music to parts it far too seldom reaches” – Hot Press

Artist photos: Brian Connolly ... more

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