Hie Awa

Traditional

 

I have sung this for about 40 years; can't remember where I learned t.  The Boarding Party tracked it back through Robin Roberts who recorded it as "Love is Kind."  It's also knows "Ee Awa," "Haul Awa" or possibly "I a bha," which Norman Kennedy says means "she that's gone" in Gaelic.  Lucy Simpson gave me the "blessing" verse,  which she made.  I often sing this for my wife, Carol, when I'm touring alone.

 

Gordon – 12 string-guitar

 

O love is kind to the least of man

            HIE AWA HIE AWA

Though he be but a drunken tar

            HIE AWA HIE AWA

 

Far from land and the sight of man

O who will love the sailorman?

 

            And awa and awa

            HIE AWA, HIE AWA

            And awa and awa

            HIE AWA, HIE AWA

 

Take me to that star-eyed maid

O I was happy with her laid

 

In the comfort of her bed

There let me lie until I'm dead

 

Here's my blessing, let it be

May you love as she loved me

 

For live is kind to the least of men

Though he be but a drunken tar

 

 

Hie Awa is recorded on the album In Concert