Bonny Portmore
Encyclopedia
"Bonny Portmore" is an Irish traditional folk
song which laments the demise of Ireland
's old oak
forests, specifically The Great Oak of Portmore, which fell in a windstorm in 1760 and was subsequently used for shipbuilding
and other purposes.
The melody of this song was first published 1840 in Bunting's "Ancient Music of Ireland" and was collected from the playing of Ulster harper Daniel Black in 1796. (Ref: articles by Jon Bartlett in Three-Quarter Times: The Newsletter of the Vancouver Folk Song Society Vol XXIII, No. 8: 29 November 1993 and Vol XXIII, No. 4: 27 May 1998.)
The Portmore Ornament Tree refers to an old oak which is believed to have stood near Portmore Lough
, County Antrim
.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
song which laments the demise of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's old oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
forests, specifically The Great Oak of Portmore, which fell in a windstorm in 1760 and was subsequently used for shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
and other purposes.
The melody of this song was first published 1840 in Bunting's "Ancient Music of Ireland" and was collected from the playing of Ulster harper Daniel Black in 1796. (Ref: articles by Jon Bartlett in Three-Quarter Times: The Newsletter of the Vancouver Folk Song Society Vol XXIII, No. 8: 29 November 1993 and Vol XXIII, No. 4: 27 May 1998.)
The Portmore Ornament Tree refers to an old oak which is believed to have stood near Portmore Lough
Portmore Lough
Portmore Lough is a small lake in southwest County Antrim, Northern Ireland that drains water into nearby Lough Neagh. It is roughly circular and covers an area of 286 hectares...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
.
Notable recordings
- Saskatoon folk singer Paddy Tutty released her recording of this song on her 1983 cassette "Paddy Tutty" and again on her 1986 recording "Who Liveth So Merry."
- Loreena McKennittLoreena McKennittLoreena Isabel Irene McKennitt, CM, OM, is a Canadian singer, composer, harpist, accordionist and pianist who writes, records and performs world music with Celtic and Middle Eastern themes. McKennitt is known for her refined, clear soprano vocals...
performed this song on her 1991 album The VisitThe Visit (Loreena McKennitt album)The Visit is the fourth studio album by Loreena McKennitt and was released in 1991. The album is certified Gold in the US.-Track listing:All compositions by Loreena McKennitt except as noted.# "All Souls Night" – 5:09...
, and it was subsequently used in the film Highlander III: The Final DimensionHighlander III: The Final DimensionHighlander III: The Sorcerer, also known as Highlander III, Highlander III: The Magician, Highlander III: The Final Dimension, Highlander: The Final Dimension and Highlander 3: The Final Conflict, is the third installment in the Highlander film series. It was first released on November 30, 1994...
(1994). A new version of the song was recorded by Laura Creamer for the 1995 episode "Homeland" of Highlander: The SeriesHighlander: The SeriesHighlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
. - Laura Creamer's version, which has slightly different lyrics, was re-used in the episodes "Dramatic Licence" (1996), "Armageddon" (1997) and the series' final episode, "Not To Be" (1997).
- The Rogues, an American Celtic band played this song in their concerts.
- In 2000 the song was used in the film Highlander: EndgameHighlander: EndgameHighlander: Endgame is a 2000 fantasy film originally released on September 1, 2000. It is the fourth theatrical release in the Highlander film series, and it serves as both a continuation of the Highlander films and the Highlander television series...
, this time recorded by Jennifer McNeil. - It was recorded by GregorianGregorian (band)Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.- Band history :...
for their album Masters of Chant Chapter IIMasters of Chant Chapter IIMasters of Chant Chapter II is the third album by Gregorian.-Track listing:#"Moment of Peace" #"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"...
(2001). - DonegalCounty DonegalCounty Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
singer Aoife recorded the song for her 2003 album The Turning Of The TideThe Turning Of The TideThe Turning Of The Tide is an album by Irish singer Aoife.-Track listing:# Caledonia# Both Sides Now# After the Goldrush# Danny Boy# Maggie# Turn Turn Turn# Bonny Portmore# Ready For the Storm# Neidín# If You Love Me# Never Be the Sun...
. - Kate CrossanKate CrossanKate Crossan is an Irish singer and composer.Crossan first gained notice with a band called Kitty's Kitchen...
performed this song on her 2001 album Voice of the Celtic HeartKate CrossanKate Crossan is an Irish singer and composer.Crossan first gained notice with a band called Kitty's Kitchen...
with Oliver Schroer. - Lucinda WilliamsLucinda WilliamsLucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
recorded this song for the album Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and ChanteysRogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and ChanteysRogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys is a compilation album of sea shanties performed by a wide array of artists, ranging from Sting to Bryan Ferry, representing a variety of genres. The artists cover a large number of diverse songs of the sea, at times adding elements...
, produced by Hal WillnerHal WillnerHal Willner is an American music producer working in recording, films, TV and live events. He is best known for assembling tribute albums and events featuring a wide variety of artists and musical styles... - Celtic Dreamer recorded this song Bonny Portmore (chill out remix) for the album, Private Room Lounge Session, Vol.1
- TranciT3k recorded this song for his 2010 tribute album Tribute to Folk songs
- The song was used also as credits song in the "Kill the Irishman" movie.