Follow Me Down to Carlow

Conductor Notes:

This jaunty Irish folk song was on Elektra’s first concert in 1987, and remained a favorite for many years. It invites the listener to a wedding in Carlow. We’ve performed and recorded it both a cappella (on “Elektra Women’s Choir”) and with its piano accompaniment (“From the Heart”).

Text:

Follow me down to Carlow, lads! Come lasses, too, away we go! So limber and lightly, heel and toe, There’s frolic and fun at Carlow! For striking is now the wedding hour, And yonder’s a bride that’s like a flow’r, The boy that has won her, all do know, Is stealing the Pride of Carlow! Hark, the bells they gaily ring, And finch and thrush and blackbird sing; For Love on this fair day is King! Och! Follow me down to Carlow! Follow me down to Carlow town! Be leaving your work and toil behind, The cat’ll be proud the house to mind, While ye are away at Carlow! Come Kitty, asthore, with eyes of blue, Come, Dennis and Meg and Pat and Sue; For never a one must fail, and so I’m bidding ye all to Carlow! See, the sun shines out so gay; “A wedding, sure!” I heard him say, “I’ll send my beams to gild the day.” Och! Follow me down to Carlow! Follow me down to Carlow, then! The way winds round the green hillside, And thro’ the lone lane where fairies hide, And over the moor to Carlow! Then hurry, good people, one and all, For sure ye can hear the music call; And limber and lightly, heel and toe, We’ll go to the fun at Carlow! Hark, the bells they gaily ring, And finch and thrush and blackbird sing; For Love on this fair day is King! Och! Follow me down to Carlow!

(Sheila Braine)