The Ballad of St. Anne's Reel- a song about Odysseus?

[Don Genaro]

Here's a song I've been hearing since my childhood but only recently after I listened to the lyrics as well as the captive fiddle playing did I start to think about the similarity with the Odyssey theme and the Celtic dancing theme mentioned in Secret History. Have a read and listen and see if you think so. I haven't heard Mallett's version nor John Denver's. The only version I know is the Makem and Clancy version (which I daresay is best without having heard the others but then I might be biased!). There's an audio link posted below as I couldn't find the studio version on youtube which I think is the best version as far as the fiddle playing goes. The fact that the song starts with the protagonist being "stranded on an island" is what first grabbed my attention!

Ballad Of St Anne's Reel
(David Mallett)

He was stranded in some tiny town
On fair Prince Edward Island
Waiting for a ship to come and find him
A one horse place, a friendly face
Some coffee and a tiny trace
Of fiddlin' in the distance far behind him

A dime across the counter then
A shy hello, a brand new friend
A walk along the street in the wintry weather
A yellow light, an open door
A "Welcome friend, there's room for more"
Soon they're standing there inside together

He said "I've heard that tune before somewhere
But I can't remember when
Was it on some other friendly shore
Did I hear it on the wind
Was it written on the sky above
I think I heard it from someone I love
But I never heard it sound so sweet since then"

How his feet begin to tap
A little boy says "I'll take your hat"
He's caught up in the magic of his smile
Then leaps the heart inside him
When off across the floor
He sends his clumsy body, graceful as a child

He said "There's magic in the fiddler's arms
And there's magic in this town
There's magic in the dancers' feet
From the way they put them down"
Smiling people everywhere
Boots and ribbons and locks of hair
Laughter and old blue suits and Easter gowns

The sailor's gone, the room is bare
The old piano's sitting there
Someones hat's left hanging on the rack
Some empty chairs, the wooden floor
That feels the touch of shoes no more
Waiting for the dancers to come back

And the fiddle's in the closet
Of some daughter of the town
Strings are broke and the bow is gone
And the case is buttoned down
But often on December nights
When the air is cold and the wind is right
There's a melody comes passing through this town

Here's the audio verson: _http://www.deezer.com/en/music/tommy-makem-liam-clancy
Just scroll down to the first album "The Makem and Clancy Collection" (2005) and it's track number 8

One of the singers, Liam Clancy has to have one of the most beautiful voices I ever heard. Bob Dylan once said (Clancy) was "'The best ballad singer I ever heard in my life".
For a better sample of his voice I recommend the anti-war song "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" which is on the same link I've provided. It's the next album down: "Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy" (2005) and number 10.