As I leave behind Neidin
Lyrics
As I leave behind Neidin
It’s like purple splashed on green
My soul is strangely led
To the winding hills ahead
And she plays a melody
Of winds and streams for me
CHORUS
Won’t you remember, won’t you remember
Won’t you remember me
Won’t you remember, won’t you remember
Won’t you remember me
And we wind and climb and fall
Like the greatest waltz of all
Float across the floor
Her sweet breath outside the door
And it’s time that I was gone
Across the silver tear
Chorus
As I leave behind Neidin
In the halls where we have been
Rhododendrons in her hair
In the scent of mountain air
I still feel her spirit song
Across the silver tear
Chorus
Notes
I remember hearing Jimmy McCarthy explain on RTE Radio, the origin of this song. He had just passed through Kenmare on his way back to Cork when his car passenger inquired where he got inspiration. Jimmy looked in his rere mirror and saw the road-sign ‘Neidin’ set among the rhododendrons. Once again, he demonstrated that inspiration is all around.
The original Gaelic name for the town of Kenmare was An Neidín, meaning ‘the little nest’. The word Kenmare is anglicized from ‘Ceann Mara’ meaning ‘head of the sea’, referring to the head of the nearby bay.
