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Star Of The County Down (WORD)
Star Of The County Down (PDF)
Thanks to Sharon Baird for sharing this song with BUG!
MacGarvey's song was first collected in Herbert Hughes Irish Country Songs. The tune is traditional, and may be known as "Dives and Lazarus" or (as a hymn tune) "Kingsfold". The melody was also used in an Irish folk song called "My Love Nell".
Irish-Canadian band, The Irish Rovers, recorded versions of the song for the 1996 album Gems and the 2020 Saints and Sinners. We're using the Saints and Sinners version.
Belfast singer-songwriter Van Morrison recorded a version of the song for the 1988 album Irish Heartbeat, in collaboration with The Chieftains. The Pogues recorded a version of the song that was included the 2005 reissue of their 1989 album Peace and Love. Canadian singer Loreena McKennitt recorded a version of the song for her 2010 album The Wind That Shakes the Barley, and released a live version on her 2024 album The Road Back Home. Her 2008 Christmas album A Midwinter Night's Dream includes "The Seven Rejoices of Mary," which uses the melody of "Star of the County Down."