I had never heard The Banks of the Bann, or indeed may not even heard of it, until I was privileged to join the Tyneside Maritime Chorus under Benny Graham in 2011. The River Bann is in north-eastern Ireland. This beautiful song is pretty rare in that it cannot be found in modern songbooks. It is also rarely recorded. I have only been able to find recordings by the eminent A.L. Lloyd and the charming Shirely Collins. Shirley Collins credits Albert Lloyd as her source and has said that she knew the tune as a child which was the hymn Lord of All Hopefulness, Lord of All Joy
The song itself is of separated lovers whereby one Delaney is separated from his fair maid by her cruel parents.
The song was published by Mozart Allen in Ireland Calling.
This song may be found in the Tyneside Maritime Chorus songbook

Lyrics