Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: goth
Song Meaning of “Lonesome Boatman / Follow Me Up to Carlow / Morrison’s Jig” by Blackthorn
This traditional Irish folk song is about a boatman, or man of the sea, who journeys down the River Shannon alone looking for his beloved. Hedreams of reuniting with her in the town ofCarlow, near the border of Ireland and England, and carries with him a rollickingjig composed by his true love Toby Morrison.
The narrator’s loneliness and longing for hislove is set to the rhythm of a bouncy jig, painting a picture of hope even in the face of loneliness: the melody carries with it ideas of his love’s strength and endurance even after their separation. Despite the pain of separation, a deep, genuine faith in their reunion gives him the strength to continue his long journey, and the faith of their shared melody resonates in the listener’s heart.
The narrator looks to his beloved for strength and hope; the jig is a sign of the faith that they will someday reunite, and in the meantime the music brightens up the loneliness of his journey. The song is a fantastic reminder of the beauty, power, and resilience that can be found in a bond so strong that it transcends even the greatest distance.