The song is about the Great Oak of Portmore, which stood on the shores of Portmore Lough, in Antrim. Portmore "shines where it stands" becauise it is a body of water and thus the light reflects off it and plays on the waves. The Oak, which is known as an Ornament Tree becuse of its large size and age, was toppled in a wind storm in 1760. By that time, the walls of Portmnore Castle had also been dismantled and cast "down to the ground."
The song, therefore, is a lament for the passing away of many old, and known things; the things that may not have been as highly esteemed when they existed, but which are know understood to be without price. Hence the lines "If I had you now as I had once before/All the lords in Old England would not purchase Portmore."
The song is about the Great Oak of Portmore, which stood on the shores of Portmore Lough, in Antrim. Portmore "shines where it stands" becauise it is a body of water and thus the light reflects off it and plays on the waves. The Oak, which is known as an Ornament Tree becuse of its large size and age, was toppled in a wind storm in 1760. By that time, the walls of Portmnore Castle had also been dismantled and cast "down to the ground."
The song, therefore, is a lament for the passing away of many old, and known things; the things that may not have been as highly esteemed when they existed, but which are know understood to be without price. Hence the lines "If I had you now as I had once before/All the lords in Old England would not purchase Portmore."