Eileen

DESCRIPTION: "In a town by the sea by the Castle Duneen" Eileen loves "a young fisher laddie" lost in a storm the day before they were to be wed. She dies of a broken heart and is buried by the shore where they used to meet. Now his ghost is heard calling her there.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1959 (NFOBlondahl03)
KEYWORDS: love death mourning fishing sea storm ghost
FOUND IN:
RECORDINGS:
Omar Blondahl, "Eileen" (on NFOBlondahl03)
NOTES [85 words]: Blondahl03 has no liner notes confirming that this song was collected in Newfoundland. Barring another report for Newfoundland I do not assume it has been found there. There is no entry for "Eileen" in Newfoundland Songs and Ballads in Print 1842-1974 A Title and First-Line Index by Paul Mercer. - BS
The legend doesn't seem to be known in Britain either; at least, I can't find a relevant reference in Peter Underwood's Gazeteer of British, Scottish & Irish Ghosts. An argument from silence, I concede. - RBW
File: RcEileen

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography