By Islay's Shores: a Victorian ballad

'By Islay's Shores' is a ballad, with words by William Black (1841-1898) and music by Alfred 

Stella. A review  in The Lute magazine (November 1 1891) says: 'A pathetic story is here 

related in verses so appropriate in diction and good in construction as to be worthy of being 

placed in the category of poetry. The melody attached by the composer lends itself admirably to the task of arousing the sympathies of the listener'.

The song seems to have started out a poem by Black in his 1885 novel 'White Heather', which

features a number of 'Rhymes by a Deerstalker' including this one. It is also included in Modern Scottish Poets, edited by D.H.Edwards in 1887:

By Islay's shores she sate and sang : 

" winds come blowing o'er the sea, 

And bring me back my love again 

That went to fight in Germanie " 

And all the live-long day she sang, 

And nursed the bairn upon her knee ; 

"Balou, balou, my bonnie bairn, 

Thy father's far in Germanie, 

" But ere the summer days are gane, 

And winter blackens bush and tree, 

Thy father will we welcome hame 

Frae the red wars in Germanie." 

Dark the night fell, dark and mirk ; 

A wraith stood by her icily : 

"Dear wife, I'll never more win hame, 

For I am slain in Germanie. 

" On Minden's field I'm lying stark, 

And Heaven is now my far countrie ; 

Farewell, dear wife, farewell, farewell, 

I'll ne'er win hame frae Germanie." 

And all the year she came and went, 

And wandered wild frae sea to sea : 

" neighbours, is he ne'er come back, 

My love that went to Germanie ? " 

Port Ellen saw her many a time; 

Round by Port Askaig wandered she : 

"Where is the ship that's sailing in 

With my dear love frae Germanie ? ' 

But when the darkened winter fell : 

"It's cold for baith my bairn and me ; 

Let me lie down and rest awhile : 

My love's away frae Germanie. 

"far away and away he dwells ; 

High Heaven is now his fair countrie; 

And there he stands with arms outstretched- 

To welcome hame my bairn and me" 

See also these songs:

An Islay Song from 1850

Ceann Traigh Ghruinneart

An Islay Song from 1850

'Poems and songs, satirical and descriptive, bearing on the political, moral, and religious character of man in this country, at the present day' was written by Alexander M'Gilvray (or McGilvray as it would be spelt now) and published in 1850. The title page describes the author as 'Alexander M'Gilvray, Paisley', with the book printed by William Gilchrist of Glasgow 'for the author' (i.e. the collection appears to have been self-published).

M'Gilvray (1800-1871) was born in Paisley and made his adult living there as a baker. One of the poems in his collection though is described as 'written while the author was residing in Islay in 1822' - indeed within he mentions being 'located on the Rinns of Islay'. That poem, 'Epistle to W.C.', includes the lines 'Die when I will, I'll ne'er repent, the days in Islay I have spent'.

Maybe it was around this time that he wrote his song 'Islay' (tune 'Haughs of Cromdale'). Where are the 'fields of Elistore' he mentions? I assume this is Ellister farm, near Portnahaven.

Islay

Now I must leave the peaceful shore,
The pleasant fields of Elistore,
Nor dare to hope I'll ever more
Behold the hills of Islay.

No more I'll climb thy mountains high,
To view the meeting sea and sky —
The stately vessels gliding by.
On every side of Islay.

On sunny shores, beyond the wave,
Let merchants seek the gold they crave;
Give me a walk, at dusky eve.
Along the shores of Islay.

How sweet to rove o'er hill and plain,
When low the sun hangs o'er the main;
O when he wakes, and spreads again,
His golden beams o'er Islay!

By simple Nature's power impress'd.
Here friendship glows in every breast;
The houseless, wandering, stranger-guest,
Has bless'd the Isle of Islay

From strife of noisy towns secure,
Here mortals spend their days obscure;
And long may harmony endure
Throughout the Isle of Islay.

Unknown to crime, unknown to shame,
May ne'er ambition blast thy name.
Nor cursed lust for wealth and fame,
Corrupt the sons of Islay.

Here all the bliss of life they share,
In innocence, and free from care;
With hearts as light and pure as air,
Upon the hills of Islay.

Here Liberty her throne maintains:
O'er thy delightful hills and plains
No domineering tyrant reigns
—A heaven on earth is Islay!

Though ne'er to tread thy shores again,
My heart with thee shall still remain;
Where'er I wander, I'll retain
My dearest wish for Islay.

Anybody want to have a go at singing it?!