The Heart of the Barrow (a Carlow Song)

Click below to listen to this Carlow song.

(Verse 1) From the Dublin road to the southern stream, There’s a quiet county, like a waking dream. Past the fields of barley, where the tillage grows high, Beneath the gaze of a pale blue Irish sky. We’re in the Heart of the Barrow, where the slow waters flow, That’s the gentle land of Carlow, you should surely know. No flashing lights or hurried pace, Just history etched upon this ancient place.

(Chorus) Oh, Carlow, Carlow, county green and deep, Where the whispers of the past the ancient stones keep. From the Blackstairs Mountains to the rolling plain, A little piece of heaven in the sun and the rain. With your rivers and your ruins, your spirit shining through, Carlow’s my home, and I’ll always sing of you.

(Verse 2) See the mighty ruin of the Castle Hill, Where Norman power made a stand, then grew still. And the Brownshill Dolmen, a capstone so grand, A portal to the ages, built by ancient hand. Down in Leighlinbridge, the bridge of old renown, The oldest crossing to a market town. And the quiet grace of St. Mullins by the tide, Where the monks found peace and history resides.

(Chorus) Oh, Carlow, Carlow, county green and deep, Where the whispers of the past the ancient stones keep. From the Blackstairs Mountains to the rolling plain, A little piece of heaven in the sun and the rain. With your rivers and your ruins, your spirit shining through, Carlow’s my home, and I’ll always sing of you.

(Bridge) Walk the River Barrow path, where the kingfishers dart, A tranquil beauty captured in the county’s heart. The friendly faces and the welcome true, The simple pleasure of a day spent with you. From Tullow town square to Bagenalstown bright, Everything feels honest, everything feels right.

(Chorus) Oh, Carlow, Carlow, county green and deep, Where the whispers of the past the ancient stones keep. From the Blackstairs Mountains to the rolling plain, A little piece of heaven in the sun and the rain. With your rivers and your ruins, your spirit shining through, Carlow’s my home, and I’ll always sing of you.

(Outro) Yes, Carlow is a treasure, small and often missed, A soft, sweet secret that the morning dew has kissed. I’ll lift my glass to Carlow, where the peace descends, And my journey in this county never truly ends.