This melody is the setting to
a poem
by William Butler Yeats, first published in 1889. It’s Irish title is “Gort na Saileán.”
In 1909 Herbert Hughes set the poem to the traditional tune “The Maids of Mourne Shore.” Though other composers have set it to different music, this is perhaps the best known melody, and “Down by the Salley Gardens” is still a popular song today.
I hope you enjoy hearing it on zither, arranged for 15 strings.
If you want to learn this tune, please feel free to
contact me
for a free tutorial, and don’t forget to download the performance mp3 above.
Mystical Strings 