16 year old Siobhan Owen performing traditional Irish song "If I Were a Blackbird" (acapella) live at Radio Adelaide's 2010 "Live Music Fest". September 2010. Video by Ryan Polei
For me, every now and then I find a piece of music or a performer that induces goosebumps. Siobhan is scarily good. I grew up on Cape Breton island, a Lahey-Macmullin, and the "old-country-wannanbe" runs strong in my imagination. She is one of the artists that provides the soundtrack.
Lyrics: I am a young maiden, my story is sad For once I was carefree and in love with a lad He courted me sweetly by night and by day But now he has left me and gone far away Oh, if I were a blackbird, could whistle and sing I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in And in the top rigging I would there build my nest And I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest He sailed o'er the ocean, his fortune to seek I missed his caresses and his kiss on my cheek He returned and I told him my love was still warm He turned away lightly and great was his scorn Oh, if I were a blackbird, could whistle and sing I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in And in the top rigging I would there build my nest And I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest He offered to take me to Donnybrook fair To buy me fine ribbons, tie them up in my hair He offered to marry and to stay by my side But then in the morning he sailed with the tide Oh, if I were a blackbird, could whistle and sing I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in And in the top rigging I would there build my nest And I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest I am a young maiden, my story is sad For once I was carefree and in love with a lad He courted me sweetly by night and by day But now he has left me and gone far away
I seldom have liked hearing a singer sing acapella but i love hear you do it Siobhan. No instruments needed accept a little harp. But you do great without even that. :)
I've heard the jokes. I just want to say sorry for those people. Don't take it hard, people hear wat they hear and react to it. Absolutely beautiful btw, one of my fav songs by u
This is wonderful. I much prefer this performance to the version on your album - it is more natural, clearer, more "Celtic" I suppose and less "Classical". Stunning vocals, I am smitten. I've heard a few versions of this song, and like yours the best. Can you tell me if the music is available anywhere? Best of luck in the future with everything you do.
You truly do sound like a bird; I don't mean that derisively at all, I mean that your voice seems inhuman; truly more beautiful than most. I wish you well with your music, since someone of your musical talent is quite rare.
I feel ashamed to admit that, before coming across this video in YT, I never even heard of you. And now that I have, its taken me only 3:05 min (the length of this track) to become your fan =D You have an AMAZING voice!
+Siobhan Owen I was like Asad bin Sayed and only found your music by accident. But it was a fortunate coincidence, as you have become one of my top favorites in the Celtic music world.
Beautiful! It's interesting to hear the lyrics from a female perspective. The version I've heard is a man singing about his lost lady love and uses "lily white breast" instead of "broad golden chest" etc. It does change the story slightly since in that version he asks her to marry him and she leaves, whereas in this version he asks her to marry him and then *he* leaves.
I once knew a maiden, who fourtune was so she courted a sailor, a young sailor boy she courted him dearly by night and by day until young sailor he sailed miles away. And if I was a blackbird i'd whistle and sing I'd follow the ship that my true love sailed in And on the top ringing I'd there build my nest like an eagle i would fly to his lily white breast And if I was a scholar who could handle a pen i would write him a letter him I'd send i would tell him my sorrows
