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lyrics

Banish my Misfortune

From Cork to Port Jackson in 1818
on a convict ship ,with m'baby Aileen
Sent for the crime of stealing lace
to sell for food ,We were starving in place

Wee ones born ,Banshee women wailed
County Down to Kilkenny and Cork we hailed
old ties are broken, banished from home
sweet County Clare is a dream to me now

On St Bridget's day 1821, 109 women & 71 young,
marched down to the factory , troops by our side
stone walls so high , and a harsh life inside

no bed of my own to care for my child
Aileen now 3, by 4 she’ll be gone
sent to orphanage over the wall
punished for my crime, no fault of her own

Chorus
We weave the lines of cloth together
Life, land & blood our songs entwine
This harsh land our fate
no more returning
transported from from
the green fields of home.

Refrain
The bonnet I wear small help from the cold
Tunic and petticoat rough on my skin
The straw hat I wear small shade from the sun
God please save me banish my misfortune

To Parramatta factory, to weave, spin and work
lay out the linen for the fine folk
We live together, work together
cook clean and sew, face joy, loss and pain
many secrets kept here

We’ll sing together, weave ,tell old tales and new
in the heat of the sun ,the sky topaz blue
Oh i wish my dear Sean was here by my side
to steal me away to start a new life

Chorus

refrain
Shorn is my mane, my beautiful red hair
Mammy told me it would be my fortune
Shorn is my mane my red tempered mane
God please save me
Banish my misfortune

Banish misfortune - Lilting/tune

I’ll weave the lines of cloth
Life, land & blood our songs entwine
This harsh land my fate
no more returning
transported here
to weave a new life

credits

from Mothers of the Nation EP, released February 21, 2021

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Mothers of the Nation Band Sydney, Australia

Inspired by the storytelling tradition and the music of Ireland, Cliona & Rosie (Singer/guitarist in Rosie and Nigel) have collaborated for many years in Sydney band Folklore, and have played many times at the National Folk Festival.
Rosie and Cliona are joined by renowned bluegrass mandolinist Nigel Lever and double bass player Ann Palumbo. ... more

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