Country that moved Patrick to verse
By the Rambler 25/01/2002
THEY say you may take a man out of the country but you cannot take the country out of a man.
Patrick Dorrian, who resides in the vicinity of Duncan's Corner, is an example.
That name goes back a while but older readers will know it. I thought it was Stockman's Corner when I visited my lady love but seemingly I got it wrong!
LOVELY AGHAGALLON
O Antrim, dear Antrim, of heather hill and glen,
In all my dreams your sweet voice seems to call me home again,
For though I've been a wandering boy my thoughts forever stray
To lovely Aghagallon by the shoreland of Lough Neagh.
'Twas pleasant in the summer time to walk along the shore
From Gawley's Gate to Deryclone through friendly Derrymore,
Or watch at eve the homing fleet sail in across the bay
To lovely Aghagallon by the shoreland of Lough Neagh. ,
Oft stood I on yon Island Hill to view the scene around
Dear Derryhirk and Ballycairn and distant Brankinstown,
And Whitehall corner where we strayed down the Cranagh way
Through lovely Aghagallon by the shoreland of Lough Neagh.
Flow on thou lordly Lagan, flow through fields and pastures green
Where stately swan at eventide enhanced the summer scene,
The echo of the Angelus bell floats on you on your way
Through lovely Aghagallon by the shoreland of Lough Neagh.
O Antrim, dear Antrim, I'll soon return to thee
To see again each hill and glen so very dear to me,
And if the Lord should hear my prayer it's there I'll ever stray
To lovely Aghagallon by the shoreland of Lough Neagh.
Written by Paddy Dorrian, Lisburn 1968 and set to music by Vincent White, Portglenone
Reared in Brankinstown, Paddy Dorrian decided to write a song about Aghagallon when he was asked where he came from, while sitting at his office-desk.
He was determined to put Aghagallon on the map, wrote the words and sent them to a friend in Portglenone.
Mr White set the music and within weeks Paddy was listening to 'Lovely Aghagallon!'
Peter Tumelty first sang this song at a concert in Aghagallon, then the young Marie Lavery from Drumaleet sang it on television on the programme 'Teatime with Tommy'.
Ulster Star
25/01/2002
