Dunbrody

Dunbrody "..From Wexford county across the bay to Savannah Georgia USA New York City is far away, We're headed for the southern swamps today..."

Dunbrody
Dunbrody by Oisin Daly tells the tale of Irish immigrants that migrated to Savannah, GA from Wexford Ireland during the Great Famine in the 1840s.
The Dunbrody was a Cargo ship commissioned in Montreal, Quebec to transport timber, cotton and guano before the crisis in Ireland broke out and was subsequently used to transport the Irish fleeing the island. 

Inspired in part by a conversation with fisherman cousin Oscar Daly that there was a replica of the Dunbrody in New Ross, Wexford, a little more research showed there was in fact  a "Savannah Landing" in New Ross complete with a scale model of Forsyth park. As fate would have it Oisin attended an AGM for the Savannah GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) where he met Professor Howard Keeley, head of Irish studies at Georgia Southern University, who was in fact the person who commissioned the Savannah landing in New Ross, thus providing the final inspiration to pen the song. The Savannah GAA is planning a trip to visit County Wexford and Dunbrody in May 2022.

Musically the song has tinges of Celtic and Southern rock with fingerstyle and slide guitar throughout in a ballad form. You can listen on all major retailers including Spotify and Tidal or buy on Apple music or Amazon.

Lyrics

Sailing for the western shore the teardrop of Ireland fades from view
Timber from Canada, Southern Cotton and Guano from Peru
Makes way for human Cargo desperation always pays its dues
From Wexford county across the bay to Savannah Georgia USA
New York City is far away, We're headed for the southern swamps today
Famine or Genocide that's not for you or me to decide
Cabbagetown and Yamacraw became a new abode for Irish eyes
Railroad days are hard and long for Irishmen both young and strong
Collapsing in the southern sun , toss them to the side and move along
With cobblestones and broken bones Dunbrody sailed across the sea
Unbeknownst to those on board headed for the 13th colony
It might seem like Irony to end up where you're not supposed to be
But for the Irish on the Dunbrody it had to be our destiny
From Wexford county across the bay to Savannah Georgia USA
New York City is far away, We're headed for the southern swamps today
Spirits brought us here Spirits bring us home
Dunbrody brought us here Dunbrody bring me home
Dunbrody bring me home

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