Story Behind The Song
Hester McDonnell lies buried at Quin Abbey in County Clare Ireland. While walking there I discovered her grave and it's movingly simple epitaph. The epitaph read " Here lies the mortal remains of Hester McDonnell, the only child of M. Henry McDonnell of C
Song Description
A song speculating on the sad circumstances of the life and death of Hester McDonnell, who died in 1848 in Ireland and on the suppression of the feminine priciple in Western culture.
| Song Length |
3:46 |
Genre |
World - Celtic, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant |
Subject |
Femininity |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1800 - 1899 |
Lyrics
Hester
Words and music by Gordon McLeod, © 2004, McLeod Nine Music
Hester lies in dreamless sleep, beneath Quin Abbey,
The only child of M. Henry MacDonnell of Castlebar.
She left this life at Ballyline the ninth day of October
Eighteen-forty-eight, twenty-eight years old,
May the Lord have mercy on her soul.
Hester may have been in love, she may have had a lover.
Perhaps she gave her heart to a soldier, lost in the war,
And bore their only daughter here the ninth day of October
Eighteen-forty-eight, twenty eight years old,
May the Lord have mercy on us all.
Bridge:
The daughters of the world lie sleeping in the earth,
What we wouldn?t do to save them.
But who will remember the on who?s lying here?
The Goddess,
The Goddess.
Hester lies in dreamless sleep, beneath Quin Abbey,
The only child of God who needed saving, for everyone.
She left this life at Ballyline, the ninth day of October
Eighteen-forty-eight, twenty-eight years old,
May the Lord have mercy on our souls,
May the Lord have mercy on our souls.