Annotation:Stór mo chroí (1) (A)
X:1 T:Astoreen Machree T:O Treasure of My Heart M:3/4 L:1/8 R:Air Q:”Slow & sad” S:Joyce – Ancient Irish Music (1890) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:Dmin D2 DEFG | A2d3c | B2A2 GF | D2 D4 | c2c2d2 | c2A2G2 | A2d2d2 | d4 de | f2e2d2 | c3 edc | B2A2 GF |D2 D4 | c3 edc | B2A2G2 | A2F2 F>G | F6 ||
STÓR MO CHROÍ [1], A (Treasure of my heart). AKA - "Astore McCree," "Astoreen Machree." AKA - “A Stór mo Chroí.” Irish, Air (3/4 time). D Minor. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part. The air is one of the many variants of “Bruach na Carraige Báine.” The sentimental song written to it is addressed to a loved one on the verge of emigrating, and tells of the sorrows and temptations of the “strangers’ land.” It is the work of Briain Ó hUigínn (Brian O’Higgins, 1882-1949), also known as Briain na Banban [Banban is a poetic name for Ireland], born in Kilscyre, County Meath, well versed in Irish history who wrote hundreds of poems and songs, both nationalistic and humorous, as well as Celtic greeting cards. His brother was the great fiddler Frank O’Higgins. Brain O’Higgins was also a poet, politician, political prisoner in Birmingham and brilliant satirist. “A Stór Mo Croí” first appeared in his collection of poetry Songs of Glen na Mona in June 1929, and he suggested the words be sung to the air of “Bruach na Carraige Báine (3)" (see "Brink of the White Rocks (3) (The)" and "On the Brink of the White Rock").
