In his review of Glenaphuca, the debut album from Irish/English singer and multi-instrumentalist Lewis Barfoot, released earlier this year, David Pratt concluded his review:
At times it is difficult to believe that this is a debut album, such is its assured quality. Melodic, pensive, joyful, passionate, introspective, melancholic are all apposite descriptors, although not necessarily in equal measure. Underlying the whole album, and at its core throughout, are Lewis’s undeniably beautiful, crystal-clear vocals, vocals that could melt the hearts of angels. Unequivocally enjoyable, Glenaphuca is an absolute treat and a superb debut. More please.
It seems his prayers have been answered…Tabhair Dom Do Lámh is Lewis’ brand new single due 22nd October 2021.
Tabhair Dom Do Lámh is based on a traditional air originally written by the Derry harpist Ruaidri Dáll Ó Catháin around 1603. Lewis composed the lyrics and created the song for her Korean friend, the filmmaker Narae Kim, to celebrate her marriage to an Irish man. Lewis’s gorgeous arrangement contains two lines of Korean as well as the words in Irish that mean “give me a hand“. The stark beauty and simplicity of Tabhair Dom Do Lámhis testament to Lewis’ talent as a uniquely gifted storyteller who captivates listeners with her evocative lyrics and gorgeous, otherworldly voice.
For the recording of Tabhair Dom Do Lámh, Lewis worked with acclaimed Scottish musician Elisabeth Flett performing on fiddle and whistle; the duo recorded together at Lightship 95 in London with engineer Giles Barrett.
In support of the album and her new single, Lewis is going on the road in November and December, performing an exclusive run of dates in the UK and Ireland; she will be joined by Elisabeth and Jarlath Mulholland on clarinet. Having cut her teeth on the London folk circuit, appearing regularly for institutions such as Nest Collective, Lewis has recently moved back to her maternal home of Ireland and is happily settled in Cork.
Background to the air on which Tabhair Dom Do Lámh is based
Edward Bunting, the Irish musician and folk music collector of the late 1700s, wrote in The Ancient Music of Ireland that this harp tune was written in about 1603 by the blind Derry harpist Ruaidri Dáll Ó Catháin. His belief was that Ruaidri wrote the air while in Scotland, where he had a disagreement with Lady Eglington; he composed the tune for her when she had the grace to apologize to him; Seán Ó Riada revived the tune in the 1960s. The Wolfe Tones made a song based on the air, and whilst it called for harmony and an end to the troubles of Northern Ireland, their song still held a colonial, conquering relationship to the earth “Will you give me your hand, for the world it is ours, All the sea and the land to destroy or command”, and this was part of Lewis’ inspiration to give the air a new song, one that was in harmony with the earth as well as with other humans.
On the subject of the air and Derry harpist Ruaidri Dáll Ó Catháin, the famed Irish song collector Captain Francis O’Neill wrote, “proud and spirited, he resented anything in the nature of trespass on his dignity. Among his visits to the houses of Scottish nobility, he is said to have called at Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire. Knowing he was a harper, but being unaware of his rank, Lady Eglinton commanded him to play a tune. Taking offence at her peremptory manner, Ó Catháin refused and left the castle. When she found out who her guest was her ladyship sought and effected a speedy reconciliation. This incident furnished a theme for one of the harper’s best compositions. “Tabhair Domh do Lámh,” or “Give Me Your Hand!”, the name has been latinized into “Da Mihi Manum.” The fame of the composition and the occasion which gave birth to it reaching the ear of King James the Sixth, induced him to send for the composer. Ó Catháin accordingly attended at the Scottish court, and created a sensation”.
There are other stories and legends about the piece, but no authoritative evidence or references are known. The tune is sometimes claimed to be written by the famous harpist O’Carolan, who lived some years later. However, there is no reference in the Bunting collection of O’ Carolan’s music. Nor should Ruaidhrí ‘Dall’ Ó Catháin be confused with another blind poet at around the same time Rory ‘Dall’ Morrison.
Lewis Barfoot UK & Ireland Glenaphuca tour 2021
Sun 21st Nov – The Green Note – London
Wed 24th Nov – Lewes Con Club – Lewes
Thurs 25th Nov – Folklore Rooms – Brighton
Fri 26th Nov – The Silk Mill – Frome
Mon 29th Nov – Prince Albert – Stroud
Tues 30th Nov – Baristocats – Swindon
Friday 3rd Dec – Sirius Arts Centre – Cork
Saturday 4th Dec – Uillinn – Skibbereen
Sunday 5th Dec – Hacketts – West Cork
Photo Credit: Kate Bean