“The Lark In The Clear Air” is a cherished traditional Irish folk song whose origins can be traced to the mid-19th century. The hauntingly beautiful melody comes from County Derry in Northern Ireland, while the poignant lyrics were penned by Sir Samuel Ferguson (1810-1886), an influential Irish poet and antiquarian who dedicated much of his work to preserving Irish cultural heritage. Ferguson published the poem in his 1845 collection, though it wasn’t until later that it was paired with the traditional air.
The song’s evocative imagery depicts a lover admiring his beloved from afar, comparing her voice to that of a lark singing in the morning air – a quintessentially Irish metaphor connecting human beauty with the natural world. Over the years, “The Lark In The Clear Air” has been embraced by notable folk musicians and classical arrangers alike; Its elegant simplicity and emotional depth continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Lyrics
Dear thoughts are in my mind
And my soul soars enchanted,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.
For a tender beaming smile
To my hope has been granted,
And tomorrow she shall hear
All my fond heart would say.
I will tell her all my love,
All my soul’s adoration,
And I think she will hear
And will not say me nay.
It is this that gives my soul
All its joyous elation,
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day.
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