"The Meeting of the Waters" is a wonderful song that
conjures up a sense of warmth and friendship and links
them to a beautiful location. The words were written by
Thomas Moore, one of the greatest Irish poets and
songwriters of all time. Moore wrote numerous songs
which have become Irish classics such as The Minstrel
Boy, The Last Rose of Summer, and Believe Me If All
Those Endearing Young Charms.
Moore wrote the lyrics to "The Meeting of the Waters"
in 1807 and only later set it to...(+)
"The Meeting of the Waters" is a wonderful song that
conjures up a sense of warmth and friendship and links
them to a beautiful location. The words were written by
Thomas Moore, one of the greatest Irish poets and
songwriters of all time. Moore wrote numerous songs
which have become Irish classics such as The Minstrel
Boy, The Last Rose of Summer, and Believe Me If All
Those Endearing Young Charms.
Moore wrote the lyrics to "The Meeting of the Waters"
in 1807 and only later set it to an old Irish melody
with the rather curious title, "The Old Head of
Denni"s.
The Meeting of the Waters is the name of a well known
beauty spot in the Vale of Avoca in Co Wicklow in
Ireland. As the name suggests, it?s the place where two
rivers ? the Avonmore and the Avonbeg ? meet and flow
into each other and form the River Avoca.
There are actually two spots in Avoca where the two
rivers meet. One is at Woodenbridge and one is at
Castle Howard. This led to some debate when the song
was first published as to which spot was the subject of
the song.
Moore cleared up the confusion in a letter to his
friend Lord John Russell saying: ?I believe the scene
under Castle Howard was the one which suggested the
song to me.?
It?s not hard to see why Moore was enchanted by the
scene and felt inspired to write his song. It was, and
still remains, beautiful and idyllic. However, it?s not
just the natural beauty of the scene that gives the
song its power and its appeal; it?s the evocation of
love and friendship.
Although originally written for traditional folk
instruments, I created this arrangement for Concert
(Pedal) Harp, Flute & Oboe.