Immortal Dream
The title, Immortal Dream is taken from a verse of the traditional Irish ballad, “Old Skibereen.” This poignant song is full of tragedy and passion, describing the Irish famine of 1846-47. While most of the arrangement is in the minor mode, the second half flirts with a much more uplifting statement of the melody to remind us that there are always things to be thankful for.
Medium: Concert Band
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2006
Duration: 4:00
Difficulty: Grade 4
The title, Immortal Dream is taken from a verse of the traditional Irish ballad, “Old Skibereen.” This poignant song is full of tragedy and passion, describing the Irish famine of 1846-47. While most of the arrangement is in the minor mode, the second half flirts with a much more uplifting statement of the melody to remind us that there are always things to be thankful for.
Medium: Concert Band
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2006
Duration: 4:00
Difficulty: Grade 4
The title, Immortal Dream is taken from a verse of the traditional Irish ballad, “Old Skibereen.” This poignant song is full of tragedy and passion, describing the Irish famine of 1846-47. While most of the arrangement is in the minor mode, the second half flirts with a much more uplifting statement of the melody to remind us that there are always things to be thankful for.
Medium: Concert Band
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: 2006
Duration: 4:00
Difficulty: Grade 4
Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone 1
Eb Alto Saxophone 2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Euphonium
T.C. Baritone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion 1 (Bells)
Percussion 2 (Vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (Chimes)
Percussion 4 (Suspended Cymbal)
Program Notes
The title, Immortal Dream is taken from a verse of the traditional Irish ballad, “Old Skibereen.” This poignant song is full of tragedy and passion, describing the Irish famine of 1846-47, in which Skibereen was one of the most severely stricken regions and thousands of people perished. Written by a father to a son, the final three verses of the song had the greatest impact on me.
- Nathan Daughtrey
Old Skibereen (last 3 verses)
Your mother too, God rest her soul,
Fell on the stony ground
She fainted in her anguish
Seeing desolation ‘round
She never rose but passed away
From life to immortal dream
She found a quiet grave, me boy,
In dear old Skibereen.
And you were only two years old
And feeble was your frame
I could not leave you with my friends
For you bore your father’s name
I wrapped you in my cóta mór
In the dead of night unseen
I heaved a sigh and bade goodbye
To dear old Skibereen.
Oh Father dear, the day will come
When in answer to the call
All Irish men of freedom stern
Will rally one and all
I’ll be the man to lead the band
Beneath the flag of green
And loud and clear we’ll raise the cheer,
Revenge for Skibereen!
